Tungsten or Alloy Steel Taps and Dies

Browsing eBay and I came across a cheap set of taps and dies that are described as being made of 'alloy steel'. Later found the same set under a different brand described as being made from 'tungsten steel'

Not interested in buying either set but just curious to know what 'alloy steel' and 'tungsten steel' are and are they similar to carbon steel, high speed steel or muckmetal?

Who knows, it's advertising speak. Tungsten Steel is an Alloy Steel, and HSS is one of several Alloy Steels containing some Tungsten. The original HSS was about 20% Tungsten, modern types (since about 1920!) contain less Tungsten with different proportions of Vanadium, Chromium and Molybdenum depending on exactly which service the tool is intended for.

Ordinary Carbon Steel makes good sharp tools but it blunts relatively quickly, goes rusty and can't cope with high temperatures. Even for cool cutting woodwork and in kitchens , HSS or hard stainless steels are preferred to Carbon Steel.

I'm not convinced there is such a thing as 'Muckmetal'. Rather I think cheap tools are more likely made from incorrectly specified steels, deliberately chosen to keep costs down.

My experience over the last 40 years is that really nasty tools are less common than they used to be, but it's still a bit of a gamble. The M4 tap in a very cheap set I bought from Lidl snapped immediately. 'Rubbish!' I thought, but it turns out all the other taps and dies in the same set are OK. Most of the cheap tools I've had off ebay have been acceptable, and some excellent. Draw your own conclusions!

Dave

I wouldn't trust any tap or die advertised as "tungsten steel", it is there to impress the ignorant.

A lot of cheap carbon steel taps are black.

There is also a lot of carbon steel taps that are silver colour, but not as shinny as ground hss taps.

Age old adage you pay for what you get.