alx
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 367
Club RR Member Number: 21
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Sept 8, 2011 19:44:52 GMT
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Hi all, I'm guessing that there could be a wealth of tapping experience in the RR massive (tee hee) ;D As per title thread, could people recommend me a decent metric tap and die set, preferably from personal experience of using the kit. I've just had to tap some 6mm stainless bar tonight to help a mate fit some recaros to his car and realised it's a lot easier if you: a) Can fine the T handle for the taps b) Have some decent taps and c) Don't slice your finger on the swarf when drilling the bar in the first place.......muppet  I'm obviously not wanting to spend the thick end of a good night out so I was hoping something around the £20 to £30 mark would get me something at least half decent. The greater the range of taps and dies the better. Anyway, thanks for any help and here's some hard-core tap and dye action for your pleasure    Cheers AL. |
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,713
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Sept 8, 2011 19:54:43 GMT
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the clarke sets on the metal boxes from machine mart are good enough for occasional use, and fall within your budget.
they're only carbon steel, but i started out by buying both of these (metric and imperial) and just replacing them with better quality HSS as i broke the ones i used more frequently, plus upgrading the die holders and tap wrenches with good quality old items from car boots, etc.
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Mr S
Posted a lot
10-4 Good buddy.
Posts: 2,654
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Sept 8, 2011 21:13:35 GMT
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^^^ +1
I have one of the sets that Dez mentions, I use it occasionally and it's been fine so far, even managed to cut some threads into stainless and haven't broken any of them yet....
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scruff
Part of things
Posts: 621
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Sept 8, 2011 21:56:47 GMT
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If you are using them regularly just buy the tap sets you need, buy quality tool steel makes (Not carbon steel they are v. old tech adn not up to it) and get sets of 3 taps: starter, mid and finish you will get a much better and more accurate threads. Dies need to be split dies so you can open them up using the screws in the die holder to give a first cut then close them up for the final cut.
Use lubricant, tapping fluid is best but soluble oil machine coolant is cheap enough, bung it in a squirty bottle 10%-15% with water and use it for all metal cutting and drilling.
The sets are OK but they aren't great quality and I don't need m3 or m4 taps and dies. M5, M6 M8 and M10 are the most common.
Cromwell tools, RDG tools and tracy tools are a good place to start looking.
Rich
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kenb
Part of things
Posts: 604
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Sept 9, 2011 16:17:14 GMT
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Just to add, if you're using for automotive use, you very often find many threads are not the common ones anyway ie they use fine threads rather than standard if that makes sense. A good example, just this week i needed to make a hub nut for a set of Consul Classic struts. Its 5/8 unf but very fine thread at 32 teeth per inch. Then later this week I needed to attach a spare wheel carrier to my 2008 Ranger. They're 10mm diameter bolts, but very fine 1.0mm thread.
Standard tap and die sets more often than not don't have these fine threads in. So these days I prefer to buy them as needed. RDG as already mentioned usually deliver next day.
Again as said the carbon steel t and d's are not really for regular use, occasional yes, and don't force them too hard, use plenty of lube you'll be ok.
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alx
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 367
Club RR Member Number: 21
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Sept 12, 2011 7:47:30 GMT
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Thanks for the info chaps.
From this I think I'm going to get myself a decent tap wrench for M 8 upwards as I have a T-Handle for the smaller taps. Also, I had a damn good clean up of the cellar and dug out a pretty decent selection of taps hiding in drawers etc. So I'm going to just see what gaps there are and fill them by buying good quality singles or packs of 3 taps to cover most sizes.
As for dies....I've got the wrenches so just need to keep an eye out at car boot sales I reckon and see what pops up.
Already got about 8 cans of cutting and tapping fluid which is very useful and makes a massive difference when working with stainless etc.
Again, cheers RR'ers. Much appreciated.
AL.
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Last Edit: Sept 12, 2011 7:48:17 GMT by alx
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Sept 12, 2011 13:22:53 GMT
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I bought a helicoil set from Cromwell (drill, tap, helicoils and insertion tool) and I was very impressed with the quality. I got the T handle from there too; again, very good quality.
If you want top-end stuff then have a look at MSC-J&L. You'll be able to get Hertel and Dormer brands which, if you use them every day, is essential.
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