Tap and dies
Turbo Mini Forums

I currently have a few of these (old hand me downs) but recently never seem to have the right size for the job. Just want your opinions on what's best to do....buy one of the complete sets or just buy them as and when they are needed? Don't mind spending a few extra quid for decent ones but at the same time they won't be used all that often. Any opinions appreciated and links to ones you lot are using would be helpful. Cheers

Are you after imperial or metric? Imperial is worth buying specific ones, as there are many TPIs available on the same Dia thread. Metric sizes are usually very standard pitches used throughout, so a complete set you'll almost always use all of them. Avoid the carbon steel ones, HSS is what you want, something like dormer ones.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Just make sure you buy decent ones. The quality of most sets is so bad you may aswell buy a box of milk tray

I spent about £60 on a big set (100+) metric taps and dies. Found them very useful. Also bought a smaller box of the common imperial ones. Then filled the gaps with the less common ones. Probably £100 spent to get a decent collection.

By all means, buy a cheap set so you have all the sizes that you only ever use once. But when you wear out the common sizes only replace them with branded ones, HSS only, avoid carbon steel.

As above Dormer or Presto and you won't go wrong. Don't be tempted by machine mart, aldi types or it'll end in tears.

Edited by DILLIGAF on 21st Jan, 2016.

I'll conditionally disagree with some above.

What are you doing with them? As if you are drilling and tapping virgin holes in new material then I agree with above, but Dormer/Presto etc quality.

However, if you are using them more for cleaning existing threads out, or maybe retapping after drilling out etc, then the Machine Mart kits are perfectly good enough.
I've a Clarke UNF/UNC set that I bought probably 15 years ago, for what I need it for its still going strong, likewise I added a Clarke Metric set a few years after which also is still going. They are both HSS not the crap black carbon steel types.

I also have some better quality stuff for drilling and tapping new holes in stainless etc.

Thanks for the comments very helpful, going to be mainly imperial stuff. So far I have only needed them for cleaning up existing threads