Tap and die set

webelk6 · 01-30-08, 06:00 PM

Looking to get a nice tap and die set. Need to know a good one. Craftsmen, husky, etc. Mainly for the resto of my '75

CruisinGA · 01-30-08, 06:43 PM

I have the beginner standard and metric sets from Craftsman. Works for 90% of what I need to do with the addition of some pipe taps. I haven't had one get dull or break yet, and I've had them for several years.

Mcmaster has some pretty exhaustive sets, MSC has plenty, all the cheaper tool suppliers will have sets (Northern etc).

It's for hobby use, so I wouldn't spend the bucks on Snap On, Matco etc...

webelk6 · 01-30-08, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CruisinGA

I have the beginner standard and metric sets from Craftsman. Works for 90% of what I need to do with the addition of some pipe taps. I haven't had one get dull or break yet, and I've had them for several years.

Mcmaster has some pretty exhaustive sets, MSC has plenty, all the cheaper tool suppliers will have sets (Northern etc).

It's for hobby use, so I wouldn't spend the bucks on Snap On, Matco etc...

10-4 , I already bought a craftsmen set today, just wanted to weigh in.

Cuerno Largo · 01-30-08, 08:33 PM

Mine are from Fastenal and have been awesome

Wile E Coyote · 01-30-08, 09:06 PM

I too, would like a better set than the ones I picked up in Autozone 10 plus years ago on a despirate late night auto store run. I'm subscribing.

Mace · 01-31-08, 09:00 AM

I just have a kit from Sears and a bunch of other ones (typically they cost half the price the kit did) for specific duties..

So far they all work well..

-Spike- · 01-31-08, 09:19 AM

I have the Harbor Freight garbage, but they've done what they needed to do. Can anyone tell me what the differences might be between those and a good quality tap or die? I expect longetivity would be an issue, and perhaps breakage, but I haven't seen any reason to upgrade yet. They get very occasional use, and it's nice to have a big selection on hand rather than having to run out and buy each individually when needed due to cost. I've never used a high- or medium- quality tap or die, so I might be missing something. Or maybe not, as I mostly use them to chase existing threads.

-Spike

John Smith · 01-31-08, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Spike-

I have the Harbor Freight garbage, but they've done what they needed to do. Can anyone tell me what the differences might be between those and a good quality tap or die? I expect longetivity would be an issue, and perhaps breakage, but I haven't seen any reason to upgrade yet. They get very occasional use, and it's nice to have a big selection on hand rather than having to run out and buy each individually when needed due to cost. I've never used a high- or medium- quality tap or die, so I might be missing something. Or maybe not, as I mostly use them to chase existing threads.

-Spike

I bought a HF tap and die set for trail use. I have used a few of the taps and dies from this without issue. One day I pull out a die and discover that it was manufactured crooked. I mean really bad. If there was any quality control this would have been caught. With HF tools you often get what you pay for.

I also have a Craftsman set for the garage. I don't think you can beat the Craftsman for price / quality. If you want to spend some big money look up what some of the coated sets that MSC and the other houses sell for.

BooKilla · 01-31-08, 05:59 PM

Craftsman has awesome sets....I would go with them again.

450 DUDE · 01-31-08, 10:39 PM

I have the standard Snappy set , cuts pretty nice and clean.

As stated before the Craftsman sets are a great deal for the $$.

ken

RavenTai · 02-01-08, 12:07 PM

I have a craftsman set been quite happy with it,

I have used cheaper taps, only difference I have noticed is the number of flutes, the 3 and 4 flute variety seam to cut better than 2.

76FJ40 · 02-01-08, 01:37 PM

I threw my HF set in the trash. Like John said, NO quality control at all.

e9999 · 02-01-08, 02:36 PM

Irwin here. So far appears to be excellent quality.

Use good cutting fluid and don't forget the little quarter turn back dance...!

added: they call those Irwin Hanson. Maybe Irwin is just the distributor?

Hugh Heifer · 02-01-08, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76FJ40

I threw my HF set in the trash. Like John said, NO quality control at all.

I have them too. When I need one I go buy an Hanson and throw out the HF and put the Hanson in its place. So I paid $10 for the metal box

Truly, I discovered how bad they were when I was using a die that actually stretched over the metal rod instead of cut into it. POS!

sk8salomon · 02-02-08, 05:30 AM

Union Butterfield and OSG make the best tap & die sets IMO. Yes, more expensive but worth it. Get some beeswax for tap lube, works so much better than oil or penetrant spray.

01-30-08, 06:00 PM	#1
webelk6 Brewers in '08! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: God's Country Posts: 672	Tap and die set Looking to get a nice tap and die set. Need to know a good one. Craftsmen, husky, etc. Mainly for the resto of my '75 __________________ 04/75 fj40 slowly under resto...... build thread http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/99015-04-75-frame-off.html '94 FZJ80 (DJ81) with 14k gold emblems(wifes) '06 Tundra/Work Truck Model Iforce V-8 ( paint/estimating rig)

01-30-08, 06:43 PM	#2
CruisinGA Ramblin Wreck Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Georgia Tech Posts: 5,809	I have the beginner standard and metric sets from Craftsman. Works for 90% of what I need to do with the addition of some pipe taps. I haven't had one get dull or break yet, and I've had them for several years. Mcmaster has some pretty exhaustive sets, MSC has plenty, all the cheaper tool suppliers will have sets (Northern etc). It's for hobby use, so I wouldn't spend the bucks on Snap On, Matco etc... __________________ Bailey Quintrell '74 FJ40--37 Irocks-32 Bolt 'Locks-SM420-ARB-XD9000i-FJ60 PS-MetalTech Cage '93 FZJ80-DD-Part Time 4wd-locked-5" lifted-snorkel-bullbar-315 AT's '97 FZJ80 '98 UZJ100-OEM RR locker ΣΧ

01-30-08, 08:33 PM	#4
Cuerno Largo IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Republic of Texas TLCA# 16073 Posts: 439	Mine are from Fastenal and have been awesome __________________ '75 FJ-40-In pieces on my garage floor. -Buildup thread here '07 Titanium FJC- wife's ride My statement to my wife: "All of the accumulated crap in my shop will be really useful if I find a use for it." "You may all go to Hell and I will go to Texas"- Davy Crockett

01-30-08, 09:06 PM	#5
Wile E Coyote IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lake Havasu and Kingman, AZ Posts: 1,137	I too, would like a better set than the ones I picked up in Autozone 10 plus years ago on a despirate late night auto store run. I'm subscribing. __________________ ="Are you gonna sit there on that friggin computer all day or what?" The desert dwellin, roadrunner chasin, soooper-genius! '90 FJ 62, '08 Scion head unit, chopped quarters and rockers, bedlined exterior, and mostly stock. My soft wheeler and DD. '85 Dodge Ramcharger a little built, and a little beat. My hard wheeler.

01-31-08, 09:00 AM	#6
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 10,808	I just have a kit from Sears and a bunch of other ones (typically they cost half the price the kit did) for specific duties.. So far they all work well.. __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game."

01-31-08, 09:19 AM	#7
-Spike- IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3,206	I have the Harbor Freight garbage, but they've done what they needed to do. Can anyone tell me what the differences might be between those and a good quality tap or die? I expect longetivity would be an issue, and perhaps breakage, but I haven't seen any reason to upgrade yet. They get very occasional use, and it's nice to have a big selection on hand rather than having to run out and buy each individually when needed due to cost. I've never used a high- or medium- quality tap or die, so I might be missing something. Or maybe not, as I mostly use them to chase existing threads. -Spike __________________ His 1994 TLC 'White Elephant' +6"/35" Locked and loaded. Hers '95 TLC Bare bones. "I don't understand this business of illegal aliens giving birth to American citizens. If your cat has kittens in the oven, would you call them biscuits?" -Unknown

01-31-08, 05:59 PM	#9
BooKilla IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, OR TLCA# 18193 Posts: 467	Craftsman has awesome sets....I would go with them again. __________________ The Boone '85 4runner (sold) '91 FJ80 (3fe powa) '94 FZJ80 (lockered) '98 4runner (sold) "Buying parts I don't need, with money I don't have, to impress people I don't know." Co-Founder of the Lake Oswego Militia

01-31-08, 10:39 PM	#10
450 DUDE IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ione CA Posts: 1,150	I have the standard Snappy set , cuts pretty nice and clean. As stated before the Craftsman sets are a great deal for the $$. ken __________________ 97 with thingy's and dodads Now with added geek KI6JEO

02-01-08, 12:07 PM	#11
RavenTai Ability follows Interest Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Georgia TLCA# 14809 Posts: 5,331	I have a craftsman set been quite happy with it, I have used cheaper taps, only difference I have noticed is the number of flutes, the 3 and 4 flute variety seam to cut better than 2. __________________ 1988 FJ62 on 33s 1996 LX450 on 33s

02-01-08, 01:37 PM	#12
76FJ40 Old Fart Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NOVA TLCA# 8019 Posts: 1,139	I threw my HF set in the trash. Like John said, NO quality control at all. __________________ '76 FJ-40 with a Hula Girl on the dash for me and a '65 FJ-45 LPB for the wife. Life is good.

02-01-08, 02:36 PM	#13
e9999 You want to do what...? Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PRK Posts: 10,180	Irwin here. So far appears to be excellent quality. Use good cutting fluid and don't forget the little quarter turn back dance...! added: they call those Irwin Hanson. Maybe Irwin is just the distributor? __________________ '97: 88K, 3xlock, Custom HD roo bar for sale, 285 MT/Rs on steelies, Hanna sliders, 851+1.5"/863/N73/N74E/SD24, ARB bull with M12, Kaymar with duals, Kaymar rack, Slee TC skid, 2m/440, more stuff, loose nut behind the wheel!) '03: 99K, the better half's... DD and souped up DR650 Last edited by e9999; 02-02-08 at 10:49 AM.

02-02-08, 05:30 AM	#15
sk8salomon IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 706	Union Butterfield and OSG make the best tap & die sets IMO. Yes, more expensive but worth it. Get some beeswax for tap lube, works so much better than oil or penetrant spray. __________________ Running total of non-waving FJC drivers ......534 '85 FJ60 bone stock (the way i like it) '87 Ford Ocnorb with lots of redneck stuff & custom dented body panels

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