Tap & Die set recommendations ?

Wylie · Nov 28, 2012

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to buy a metric tap & die set (M3-M12 should do). Don't really want to be paying the earth. Anyone have any good recommendations for UK made sets?

I did read somewhere that many imported tools are made from scrapped cars :shock: ...so i would like to steer clear of those.

Any help or advice would be most gratefully appreciated

bigmick · Nov 28, 2012

nearly everything on sale in the uk is imported

anyway lidl and aldi sometimes have tools for sale

or check machine mart and screwfix

Andy R · Nov 28, 2012

Make sure that they're HSS (High Speed Steel), not just Carbon Steel, they're not worth bothering with.
A good brand? - Something like SKF , for occasional use they'll probably outlive you - I've got some that I've had for over 35 years and that used to be used on an almost daily basis in my toolroom.

For a lot of work you can get by with just the 1st and 3rd taps which will save a bit of money, especially when you get up to larger sizes.
Get some tapping compound at the same time, it's far better than just using oil.

hamster · Nov 28, 2012

Don't bother with the cheap Chinese stuff in Aldi or the market. I found a set from B&Q was OK of occasional use and was about £20.
If you are just looking for something to clean up threads after painting etc then a 3rd tap is fine - but you need all three for doing a decent job with raw holes.

Andy R · Nov 28, 2012

hamster":usd88a1z said:
you need all three for doing a decent job with raw holes.

Depends if they're blind or not.

SNAKEBITER · Nov 28, 2012

Google Cromwell Tooling.

They are a great company with quality products at a fair price.

!st 2nd & 3rd taps should be used in sequence for through holes, a plug tap is needed for blind holes.

If tapping Aluminium use parafin as a lubricant.

When tapping keep backing off the tap and cleaning the hole, more so in a blind hole.

Oh and make sure you have the correct tapping drills!
(Cromwell do a complete set of taps and corresponding drills.

Maybe consider getting a Zeus Book, it will be your friend for ever.

Wylie · Nov 28, 2012

Thanks for the replies guys. I prob should have explained a bit more. I only really need an M10 tap at the present, to drill / tap the base of a recliner, in order to fit it with some 75mm threaded castors. With this in mind i am now considering just getting a decent quality 3 piece M10 set (Taper, 2nd & Plug), a decent suitable tap wrench & some cutting compound.

May give S.K.F & Cromwell's an email

Thanks Guys

jonnyboy666 · Nov 28, 2012

these guys were really helpful. got various stuff from them a while ago, got it next day, proper good workshop stuff.

http://www.tracytools.com/

Wylie · Nov 28, 2012

Cheers for the help guys

I also found this quite interesting, if a little confusing. Worth a read though.
http://reviews.ebay.com/Tap-and-Die-sets-what-to-buy-and-what-not?ugid=10000000003822729

Broady · Nov 28, 2012

Yep, I use Tracy Tools regularly, great service.

Tap & Die set recommendations ?

Wylie

Retro Guru

bigmick

Senior Retro Guru

Andy R

Senior Retro Guru

hamster

Retro Wizard

Andy R

Senior Retro Guru

SNAKEBITER

Devout Dirtbag

Wylie

Retro Guru

jonnyboy666

Wylie

Retro Guru

Broady

Retro Guru

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