Tap and Die Set

[silverzx]

Needing a tap and die set more and more for all sorts.

In two minds whether to get:

1) a massive 110 piece set for around £50 (obviously made of choc choc) which will have EVERYTHING I'll ever need
2) a decent Clarke set for around £40 and build up with additional ones as and when they're required
3) a massive 110 piece set for around £110 and be done with it

So something like this:

1) www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371201348806

2) https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ...ap-die-set

3) www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191276145296 , www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141541431604 ,
3) My fav: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390534470732


Basically it'll be used as a one off for a large M16 thread then after that usually M8, M10 for turbo related stuff and probably M6 or similar for attaching some side skirts to my Nissan.

[Eeyore]

ive never had any luck with any cheap set. Definitely dont buy cheap.

[r3k1355]

I got a set for 20 quid from my local nut and bolt place, has done a fine job for me so far.

[zx_volcane]

id prob just buy high quality individuals of the ones you need and buy as and when to build up a collection - they are a proper pita if they snap in something you are trying to thread, and can be an absolute pig to get out.

[Poodle]

As above tbh, that clarke set will probably cover 80% of your needs, add a couple of larger ones and the usual bsp and npt and you'll be away.

[silverzx]

Thing is it's like £6 a pop if not more for one tap.. Not exactly inexpensive when needing new ones, espically when you don't know for certain what pitch the threads are.

[nominous]

I have a clarke one and broken a few of teh dies.
I bought some taps from aldi and they came with teh drills too which is handy.
Aldi or lidl had an offer on a couple of weeks back for a tap and die set which was reasonable. Dunno about M16 tho.

[Poodle]

Aye, and for the two or three extras in that larger set that you'll actually use it effectively works out as about £20 a tap, bargain...

I picked up a blue point set on offer recently, can't remember how much it was, but it's lifetime guaranteed, definitely cheaper than that bigger one you listed, has a similar range to that clarke one with two of the most common npt and bsp sizes and a thread gauge added in.

Also, when buying new taps and dies, why can't you just measure the thread pitch that you want to cut, rather than guessing and hoping?

[todd1983]

I have a sealey set, covers most things I need, used it to tap a required thread in my Audi gearbox. Also got matching helicoil set, highly recommended

[Dum-Dum]

I have a small sealey or clarke or similar set that cost about £15 and has M4-M12 taps and dies plus the holders and a thread pitch gauge. I've had it for 5+ years and never had an issue and the only stuff I've had to buy to add to it are a couple of BSP taps and M12x1.25 which is the peugeot wheel bolt thread as standard M12 is M12x1.5


I wouldn't go for a big set as you are highly unlikely to use 90% of it. If I were gonna buy another set it would be a relatively limited set but one that came with primary, secondary and butt taps and the appropriately sized tap drill.



If you are just tapping out a hole that has previously had a thread in it then cheap taps are fine, people f*ck taps by trying to force them to cut, turn them forward a quarter turn tops and then turn it back by an 8th. Also WD40 is a tappers friend.

[Dave]

Yeh as above really, buy quality sets you don't want a tap snapping off in a hole.

That said, I took the risk and bought a super cheap M3-M14 tap and die set for £20 on ebay, and have never had an issue. I dont use it often but when I do I'm really really cautious with it, and usually only use it on mild steel. For a 'one off' hole for a small project they can be great but have always been prepared or it to fail.

[todd1983]

I have a small sealey or clarke or similar set that cost about £15 and has M4-M12 taps and dies plus the holders and a thread pitch gauge. I've had it for 5+ years and never had an issue and the only stuff I've had to buy to add to it are a couple of BSP taps and M12x1.25 which is the peugeot wheel bolt thread as standard M12 is M12x1.5

Very handy too know as I have one wheel bolt thread that has pulled bit of thread

[nominous]

M16 ? For the oil feed by chance ?
Just mention it as I'm looking at M16 to AN adapters on ebay.

[silverzx]

Cheers boys, will probably go for the Clarke set or similar then.

Na, not the oil feed Nominous.