Taps and dies made in the USA

flatbutt · 12-29-2011, 11:52 AM

I'm looking to buy some of these tools. I understand that high speed stell is best for the taps and carbon OK for the dies. But online searches come up with bunches of names..greenfield, hansen. But what do you guys use?
I really want to avoid the chinese stuff.

Steve F · 12-29-2011, 12:04 PM

Greenfield and Hanson are good stuff,I belive it's Hanson-Whitney now and also Brubaker tool. Some of the Japan stuff is also very good .OSG/ Sossner is hard to beat.

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

OSG then Morse then Guhring for metric.

Viking is pretty good too.

jyl · jyl's Garage

What is a good online source for the US (or Japan) made taps and dies?

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

I like Production Tool Supply only because they are around the corner from me.

flatbutt · 12-29-2011, 01:31 PM

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

I still have my Snap-On sets from the '70's.
Jim

Zeke · 12-29-2011, 02:45 PM

I have to think the McMaster-Carr and Grainger have decent tools since they sell to industry.

I was drilling and tapping deeper into an existing threaded hole the other day. I grabbed a tap out of a cheap set that I have used for soft metals and such. I knew I was about to break it off, so I got into a box of old misc taps that I have accumulated over some 40 years. Using proper techniques it went right down to where I needed to go.

I would have been in deep **** if I had broken off even the cheap one. It's just not worth messing with junk.

nocarrier · 03:43 PM

Agreed.. Buy a good quality made is USA hss tap. I usually just get the size I need when I need one.

I like OSG, Morse, Union Butterfield but any high quality made in USA tap will be light years ahead of the crap sold in most local stores.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

We just bought a whole bunch of 1/4 US made Hanson Whitney taps.... Very good quality.

intakexhaust · intakexhaust's Garage

+1 Greenfield and Hansen. Quite sure Hansen sells to private lables like Ace.

jim72911t · 12-29-2011, 09:49 PM

I would avoid your local hardware store like the plague if you want quality taps. Check MSC or other industrial suppliers for a large variety (you'll be amazed at the different types of taps available) but expect to pay a fair price.

I'd also recommend cobalt or carbide (they'll stay sharp) over high speed steel, but HSS might be fine for the occasional home user.

As for dies, I rarely use them unless I'm chasing an existing thread. If you want to create new male threads, use a lathe.

^ Advice given by a professional machinist who's been at the game for close to 20 years. And, I hate crappy cutting tools. YMMV

Good luck,
Jim

theFONZ · 12-29-2011, 09:55 PM

Hansen makes most of the tool-truck (Snap-on, Matco, etc.) branded sets. I think they add some features, but it's basically the same sets for less money. You can find them on Amazon.

theFONZ · 12-29-2011, 10:03 PM

TDM117A, Set, Tap and Die, Metric, 41 pcs. (3mm to 12mm, Adjustable dies)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000DD4KV/ref=mp_s_a_4?qid=1325228192&sr=8-4

The Snap-on set has adjustable dies. That's the only difference other than the service Snap-on gives.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

One you get a good one, take good care of it. When you're finished using it, put some heavy oil on it to prevent rust. If you don't have a proper box for it wrap it in duct tape before you throw it in the drawer.

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

Ok I have a question. I am in the market to spend some Christmas present money and I have been wanting a good set of taps and dies. What do you guys think of this set? It has both SAE & metric and looks like good stuff.

Amazon.com: Irwin Industrial Tools 4935355 PTS Drive Tools SAE and Metric Alignment Taps and Dies: Home Improvement

theFONZ · 12-30-2011, 02:25 PM

This seems like the same thing, but cheaper. The set you posted has handles that don't need a set screw and a couple other differences.

Irwin Tools 26376 76 Piece Machine Screw/Fractional/Metric Tap and Hex Die Super Set:Amazon:Home Improvement

nocarrier · 12-30-2011, 02:59 PM

irwin is junk

theFONZ · 03:25 PM

Many others, including Snap-on, don't seem to think so. Why don't you add your opinion on what to get, instead of a meaningless post?

nocarrier · 12-30-2011, 03:56 PM

I did post earlier that I liked OSG, MORSE and Union Butterfield. There are many other brands that are good as well. Theses are just three off the top of my head that I have had good luck with personally.

I also said that the taps sold at most local stores (the brand Irwin is the major brand sold at most local stores) are garbage.

A high quality tap should feel sharp to the touch.

A set of professional high quality taps that produce good threads are not cheap by any means. I have taps that are over $130.00 each!

This is why I suggested getting only the tap you really need at the time you need it.

Maybe invest in a set of simple thread pitch gauges so you can properly identify the thread you are trying to create or repair so you can be confident in purchasing the correct tap or die when you need it.

I've seen many holes re-tapped only to find the threads are now "loose" in the hole.

Thread cutting can get quite complex sometimes. I suggest you think about what you are doing and research if there is a correct tap for your job.

You might be surprised how technical thread cutting can get.

.......just trying to help you out here