Tap and Die…

[tmac1956]

All:

I’ve need to buy and tap & die set, so I could use some recommendations. I’d like to buy a set that will work for both watch and clock repair – that can be used in a drill press, mill/drill, or a lathe. Perhaps both english and metric.

All thoughts are appreciated!
tmac

[david pierce]

Tom,
The only tap and die set I ever purchased was a small set for watches. The set came with a threading plate and a bunch of tiny metric taps. The reason I have not bought these items in sets is I did not like the quality of the taps and dies that are sold this way. I buy my taps as needed from industrial supply houses and use brands like GREENFIELD, OSG and CLEVELAND. Over the past 30 or so years I have probably accumulated at least 500 taps and dies. If you have ever had a cheaply made tap snap off in a hole you will understand my reasoning for this.
david

[tmac1956]

@david pierce wrote:

Tom,
The only tap and die set I ever purchased was a small set for watches. The set came with a threading plate and a bunch of tiny metric taps. The reason I have not bought these items in sets is I did not like the quality of the taps and dies that are sold this way. I buy my taps as needed from industrial supply houses and use brands like GREENFIELD, OSG and CLEVELAND. Over the past 30 or so years I have probably accumulated at least 500 taps and dies. If you have ever had a cheaply made tap snap off in a hole you will understand my reasoning for this.
david

David:

That’s the kind of advise I need. Anything to save money, time and hassle.

Thanks!
tmac

[arutha]

I agree completely with David on this, only buy good quality taps as you need them, those sets are cheap for a reason. If you do ever snap a tap in brass you can leave it in real lemon juice, the citric acid will eat away the steel tap and leave the brass untouched. Snapping a tap off in steel is a nightmare! 😯

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