Who makes the best tap and die sets?

[78Eliminator]

Need to buy a set and the engine building book I'm reading stresses how you can easily junk a black if you use bad taps.........

[MikeF]

Snap-on, of course! If you break one, it gets replaced. Might get a headache though trying to get the broken tap out http://free.***boat.net/ubb/wink.gif. I have used taps for threading "stainless steel" in the past. They seem to be stronger than the typical tap. Good luck, Mike

[1stepcloser]

I would'nt recommend using a trditional Tap to chase the holes. Snap-On, Mac, Sears, Etc. all sell "rethreading" sets. These are similar to taps but dont actually cut the threads. You dont want to remove any of the thread material, just clean the junk out of them. Removing material can weaken the threaded area, increasing the chance for failure. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/wink.gif

[78Eliminator]

So when you get an engine back from a machine shop, and you are going over it, you would use a rethreading kit? Will the retheading kit help messed up threads that have been kind of chewed up a little? I looked at snap-on and a tap and dye set is like $350-$550 and a recondtioning set is only $79. Let me know what I should do....
78Elim(Justin)

[CoastGuardSteve]

Go to
www.summitracing.com (http://www.summitracing.com)
and type in part number SUM-900200.
Steve

[1stepcloser]

Again, in my opinion, I only use rethreaders unless you are trying to creat a new set of threads.
Yes, the rethreaders can repair slightly damaged threads, thats their primary purpose.
The rethreaders are a much softer material and a lot less machining required to manufacture, thats the biggest difference for the cost difference.
Get the rethreader set, and dont worry about it. http://www.plauder-smilies.de/happy/xyxthumbs.gif

[LeadFootTheRabbit]

I like Craftsman but if you can afford the price, SnapOn makes a good set LDFTRBT

[Havasu_Jet_85]

I would have to say Craftsman. Because if something breaks you can drive right down to Sears and get a new tool that you just broke. But Snap-on and Mac are just as good but you got to call them up and they dont have stores all over like Sears.

[superdave013]

Originally posted by Havasu_Jet_85:
I would have to say Craftsman. Because if something breaks you can drive right down to Sears and get a new tool that you just broke. But Snap-on and Mac are just as good but you got to call them up and they dont have stores all over like Sears.
I have found craftsman taps to be dull right out of the box. Hanson makes some nice ones that come in sets. Goto a place that sells machine cutting tools to buy good taps. KBC tools in all over the US and is into mail order big time. Lots of other places too. Rutland comes to mind also. There you can get only the size you need and can choose from imports to good USA taps in all different grades. They will have the rethreading taps also.
[This message has been edited by superdave013 (edited June 15, 2002).]

[Blown Sleek]

Ten plus years on my snap-on set! Just never loan out the good stuff so keep the old junk for those not so appreciative of the good stuff.