[TheForge] Tap & Di

[Marc Godbout]

For the occasional hacker like myself, I like the high-speed steel taps,
instead of the carbide ones. I believe they dull quicker, but don't break as
often.

--Marc


On Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 2:30 PM, David E. Smucker
<davesmucker at hotmail.com>wrote:

>  I recently purchase a set, made by Irwin -- Hanson, made in USA, which
> seem to be similar in quality to Greenfield.  The dies are hex shape.  I
> think I got it on sale from MSC.  I would not worry about "new parts"
> provided the dies are standard shape, either hex or round.  You can buy one
> off replacements from most machine tool supply houses that will fit your
> handles.  As to the taps, almost all replacement taps will work and are
> standard square drive.
>
> The best way to keep from breaking taps is to make sure they are always
> started straight.  And that they are sharp.  A small starting block with a
> right angle clearance hole the size of the tap is a real help.  If a tap is
> dull, throw it out or use the steel for something else, much cheaper to buy
> a new tap than try to remove a broken one. (We all have broken taps, unless
> we never tap any holes.)
>
> Dave Smucker
>
>  *From:* Peter Hirst <saltydog335 at aol.com>
>
> I am looking for a good tap & die set for the new shop. MOst of my
> applications are SAE between 3/16 and 5/8" or so, with some NP 1/4 and 1/8
> and the oddpball NPT 1/8 27 used for lamp parts.  I would really like a new
> old stock Vermont or Greenfirld set, but have been advised against anything
> I can't easily get new parts for.
>
>
>
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