Tap and Die set recommendation

[DrDunc]

I'm after a tap and die set, m3 to m20(ish). Set with 3 taps each size preferably, but taper and plug would probably do. Wanting correct drill bit sizes too

Plenty of Chinese things off Ebay or amazon available, but are they any good?

Apologies if this has been asked before, but TFF search facility says words are too small

 

[yellowbelly]

Depends how much actual cutting of threads you want to do, as opposed to 'cleaning up' threads on repair jobs.

We've had a Spaldings set (only taper and plug taps. UNC, UNF, metric course and fine) since the 1980's that's been very handy for general maintenance type jobs.

 

[Bob c]

just buy the ones you need
there will be few you never use, ok you might need um on a Sunday, when most agri stuff break down

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[mobileweld]

For a full set of 3 for m3 to m20 of good quality would be a vast price 🫠

I have a fairly cheap Senator set of tap and dies. Covers most sizes i need. They are mainly used for cleaning threads rather than cutting. Then have individual starter, plug and bottom taps in small 3pc sets for the sizes that I will be drilling and tapping. Think from memory I have m8, 10, 12, 16 and 20.

Good quality Die nuts in common sizes are very handy to have also for cleaning threads up. Can get them on studs ect where you can’t a normal Die.

 

[spark plug]

I have used these for years, cutting many hundreds of threads, good quality at a reasonable price:

https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/tools-and-machining/tap-sets/m3-m12-2-50-10-20mm-hss-ground-flute-tap-and-drill-set-28-pieces/p/ZT1132682X

 

[B R C]

Use the advanced search button then scroll down and use the google custom search and it will search all words including short ones.

 

[David.]

Sealey do a set for about £90, metric and imperial versions.
Most sizes don't get used much but are very handy in a murgency.
These are what I bought, figuring that they won't be top quality but will do job, and if any pieces break, I can replace with better quality. Not had to yet.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Products - Taps & Dies, Reamers, Milling Cutters, Tracy Tools

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ALWAYS AVAILABLE - Taps & Dies, Reamers, Milling Cutters, Tracy Tools

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[Alchad]

As said, a full set of 3 taps and corresponding die would be very expensive, if money no object a full set in a box (or boxes)would be very nice - check our Sherwood. RGD tools, Presto or Cromwel who are reputable makes. Personally I decided on Sherwood and kept an eye on EBay and gradually bought individual sets of 3, but was only going up to M12

 

[Kiwi Pete]

I'm after a tap and die set, m3 to m20(ish). Set with 3 taps each size preferably, but taper and plug would probably do. Wanting correct drill bit sizes too

Plenty of Chinese things off Ebay or amazon available, but are they any good?

Apologies if this has been asked before, but TFF search facility says words are too small

I have a cheapie set which I lend out and a good set of SKC ones which I don't

Find the cheap taps OK but the leading edges of the cheap dies have a few chips from people reinventing hardened bolts studs etc with them, which is why I lashed out on a decent set to keep for myself.
Think they were north of NZ$850 when I bought them yonks ago, you'd replace a lot of Chima taps and dies for that money really. It will be around 140pc at a guess from M2.5 to M20

 

[Suckndiesel]

https://shop4fasteners.co.uk/metric-hss-tap-die-set-in-metal-case-m3-m20.html
Have a set similar to these, different companies sell the same set but named different. Not the cheapest but all the sizes

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Buy Dormer for the most used items.
Buy cheap and you buy twice.
SS

 

[spark plug]

Don’t buy anything carbon steel, only buy HSS taps, carbon steel are only any good for a one off never to be used again job but even then I wouldn’t take the chance as they’re so brittle.

 

[Welderloon]

Spaldings has probably the best one I've seen - pricey though

Truecraft 97 piece - product code 03827

I think they have to order them in

 

[Vizslaman]

I have a whole collection of ex MOD UNF/UNC taps with the MOD arrow on them bought when there were plenty of Army Surplus Stores in most towns.
I also have a set of BluePoint in both UNF/UNC and Metric which are only 2nd cut.

Nothing worse than snapping a tap off in the hole which is why I avoid Chinese offerings

 

[betternextyear]

I bought a set of Chinese tungsten steel taps 10 years ago. £40. Been perfect and havent broken one yet and still sharp. Paid for itself years ago.

 

[Zebbedee]

Another vote for spaldings set the one in the steel box, good value and decent quality but only goes down to M6 and 1/4 unc
So does metric and metric fine and unc missing M14 though but good set to build onto

 

[evdama]

From experience a cheap set will only be good for occasional cleaning up of existing threads
You risk snapping and jamming.
Buy just the sizes you need one at a time and get good quality kit
Heanously more expensive but better in the long run

 

[Bobthebuilder]

i'm not saying buy this set but i have seen others like this at lamma and thought that's handy having the right drill that matches tap in the same box https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/39170654...Y2UcFb44F8OqCJWVDOc5gokCM=|tkp:Bk9SR4i9wLnaYw

 

[Bobthebuilder]

or this style with tap and drill on same shaft, never used them but look handy https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14548138...1064282855&itmmeta=01HV9SQFGSN000ENC5S0P695M8