Taps & Dies

[NTwoO]

Thanks for all your input guys, just getting more confused. Are HSS better than Tungsten?, I am not an engineer, but I get by ok, hence the advice needed. As I say I need a comprehensive metric range in decent quality that will do the job reasonably well. The set mentioned is supposed to retail at £250. What to do, what to do. Come on guys nail it down.

This set is available for around £90 delivered, but if it is crap it ain't cheap.

I have a set similar to this one. Me thinks it is a Russian product, seeing that it has all the wierd metric sizes. It cuts a neat thread and handles stainless without a problem.

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

Don't for get to buy only the best you can afford in the latest British Standard Chinese thead range .. it will also cover most other thread forms

 

[breezer]

I bought a cheap set purely because it had an M7 tap in there (Vespa owner!)

They are made of "Hardened Tool Steel" - I presume this means carbon?

So far I have only used the M8 tap to cut into 3mm mild steel and it worked very well, I presume because it was new and sharp.

Since then I have been gifted a full set of decent quality Sherwood / Dormer metric taps (although no M7) and a bunch of good quality imperial taps & dies

With the beauty of hindsight I would have spent the £30 on a set of 3 good quality M7 taps. Still can't grumble, as I'm well stocked now.

 

[jordan1]

Have contacted the supplier who informs me that they are likely to be made in the Far East somewhere, but sticks by the 'engineering' quality.
Back to the drawing board methinks. Tracy Tools seem expensive at first glance.

 

[brightspark]

Have contacted the supplier who informs me that they are likely to be made in the Far East somewhere, but sticks by the 'engineering' quality.
Back to the drawing board methinks. Tracy Tools seem expensive at first glance.

i have a metric set in hss all my others are carbon steel 2 many to list they last years unless u are threading hard steel or stainless even then they cut ok with rocol cutting compound on them

 

[Windy Miller]

....tungsten, chromium, molybdenum, cobalt and others. ......

Always wondered, how do you pronounce that word?

 

[malcolm]

Always wondered, how do you pronounce that word?

"mol-lib-de-num" UK, or "mah-lib-dee-nam" US

 

[Windy Miller]

"mo-lib-DE-num" UK Posh, "muh-lib-DE-num" UK normal or "mah-lib-DEE-num" US

Thanks for that, it's always bugged me!

 

[malcolm]

Bunged an edit in - the first one sounded a bit 1950s BBC but I think I found a compromise with "mol-lib-de-num". Can pronounce that one how you like.

 

[graffian]

Maybe I am just suspicious. You don't see a lot of reference to the Tungsten content of the HSS on decent taps.

 

[jugs]

I have a vague memory (lots of vague & not much mamory ) , of a company that sold rubbish carbon steel tools under a brand name something like 'Tungstrem' to dupe the punters, hope they are long gone.

 

[shenion]

Carbon steel - most likely almost the same as what you are tapping, so wears out.
HSS - good, general purpose
Tungsten - WOud probably handle heat well for automated machines but would be brittle.
Cobalt - Very strong, hold edge well but can be brittle.

I have 4 sets, 2 Chinese ones, 2 Craftsman ones and some small taps (4-40, 2-56, 6-32 etc.)

I save the Craftsman one when I need a thread in hard steel or aluminum. Use cheapies when working with soft steel.

I also have cut the end off the cheap ones to use them to finish a bottom thread.

 

[jordan1]

Ok guys, half converted to HSS, what about the Sealey AK3076?.
I'll be too old to use them by the time I take the plunge. Seriously though, as I have said, I just want something suitable at a reasonable price.
Cheers

 

[NeilH]

Ok guys, half converted to HSS, what about the Sealey AK3076?.
I'll be too old to use them by the time I take the plunge. Seriously though, as I have said, I just want something suitable at a reasonable price.
Cheers

in that case sealey will be fine for what u want it for

 

[jordan1]

in that case sealey will be fine for what u want it for

Better than the US Pro one originally shown?, about the same monney.

 

[Flathead_Dave]

The one Chunko put up will be ok for him.
The pitch should be the same as hardware nuts and bolts.
3 taps per size for blind holes in bar stock.
HSS which is good for stainless.
Only down side,the dies aren't split.
I've been working on cars and rebuilding and restoring old bikes for over 40 years.I had loads of WHIT,BSF,BSc,BSB,UNF,and UNC,but very little metric for odd jobs.
I bought one of these
http://www.justoffbase.co.uk:80/75-...Metric-BSP-79205-Draper-75MM?range=51,100,100
I'ts been very usefull,and looks alot like the Sealey set.Mines carbon steel,all the Sealey says is "quality steel"but it has split dies,which is what you need.
I'd say get the Sealey or strip the bike and buy sets of three HSS taps and a die for each thread on the bike.
If you get a set you've got the pitch gauges,so just need to add a micrometer,a metric thread file,and some Zeus tables.

 

[jordan1]

The one Chunko put up will be ok for him.
The pitch should be the same as hardware nuts and bolts.
3 taps per size for blind holes in bar stock.
HSS which is good for stainless.
Only down side,the dies aren't split.
I've been working on cars and rebuilding and restoring old bikes for over 40 years.I had loads of WHIT,BSF,BSc,BSB,UNF,and UNC,but very little metric for odd jobs.
I bought one of these
http://www.justoffbase.co.uk:80/75-...Metric-BSP-79205-Draper-75MM?range=51,100,100
I'ts been very usefull,and looks alot like the Sealey set.Mines carbon steel,all the Sealey says is "quality steel"but it has split dies,which is what you need.
I'd say get the Sealey or strip the bike and buy sets of three HSS taps and a die for each thread on the bike.

If you get a set you've got the pitch gauges,so just need to add a micrometer,a metric thread file,and some Zeus tables.

I've had Toolzone gear once before, no impressed, you do usually get what you pay for. I contaced a couple of suppliers re. the Sealey set, one said they were HSS the other said Carbon steel??. I have contacted Sealey, awaiting reply. Just need quite a comprehensive set, decent HSS, course & fine metric, 3 taps per size [ideally], split dies, without breaking the bank. These are only for occasional use but I just like decent tools that will do the job well.

 

[jordan1]

Sealey

Just had a message from Sealey who tell me they are high grade carbon steel.

 

[breezer]

What's the benefit of the split dies?

 

[jordan1]

What's the benefit of the split dies?

To enable a looser or tighter fit.