Taps and dies

Hello everyone, could anybody recommend somewhere where I can purchase reasonable quality taps and dies. I would like to buy individual ones on a weekly basis to build up a nice collection.

I did purchase a cheap set on eBay the only thing that was good was the packaging so I learned a good lesson there.

many thanks

Dave

Click on the link to Tracy Tools on the LH side of this screen...

Chris

+1 on Tracy tools, I found them to be very helpful on the phone if you have a query.

Roy

Don't ever buy carbon steel ones, buy hss (high speed steel) which is proper metal cutting steel and an amazingly tough material

If you search on "tap and die set" you will get 1000 returns

If you search on "hss tap and die set" you will get 20

Ady1,

Have to take issue with you regarding carbon steel (CS)

HSS for those used frequently yes, without hesitation every time, and something I've always done, BUT, for the larger sizes and those not used frequently, CS of a known make are fine, and the cost of one HSS will buy 2 or more CS ones.

I do emphasize KNOWN make, and certainly NOT some no-brand from who knows where.

My CS do a perfectly good job, but as I've said, if I was using them regularly, then I would certainly invest in HSS ones.

Geoff - Recovering from treatment at the moment so no workshop for 2 weeks (

You could try avontapdie.co.uk or Tracy Tools No connection just happy customer

Roy

Thanks for all the good responses that's been a great help

Cheers

Dave.

Buying like you suggest is quite expensive. Sets are usually cheaper even if you don't use them all, and of course there is the dreaded P&P which adds up. Some suppliers have minimum charges also ! I have bought many taps and dies from car boot sales - you get a lot of repeats, but often they are good quality as they have been 'relieved' from a good workshop over time.

I would not buy carbon steel dies (Taps yes) as a HT bolt will destroy the cutting edges also I would only go for split dies where you can adjust the diameter a fraction.

One of my 6Ba taps was very blunt until I discovered it was a LH tap !!

Even if you think that you will only use a tap etc on brass, the day will come when you need to cut something much tougher. Remember the size of your die holders, and try to buy dies that will fit them, nothing more anoying than having to make / buy an new holder.

I used to feel that way but now I generally use solid dies. The only real use I ever found for split dies was to open them out for the first pass in "difficult" situations but I never noticed much gain and there is a finite risk of breaking the die if the die-holder is not a fairly close fit (many aren't) and you overdo it.

Now, in those difficult situations, I prefer to use the "Tubal Cain" method (of increasing tapped hole sizes to greatly reduce the cutting torque while only marginally affecting the ultimate thread strength) .... modified for external threading.

I do recall one occasion when I wanted a thread to be a tight fit with minimum backlash where I might have used a split die, but it was a special size and I would have had to purchase the die anyway. In the end I cut it on the lathe.

Don't forget:- Kirjeng. 17, Gables Lea Sutton Bonnington, LE12 5NW. Tel: 01509 672025.

He doesn't have a website but a phone call will get you his catalogue. For T & Dies you can have Carbon or HSS

www.tapdie.com/ they are very good quality at a resonable price I have used them for years they are of Indian make but the factory they are made in is very modern and up to date using the latest cnc machines best Wishes Martin

Hi Dave

Well it really depends where your interests lie. If you are contemplating models a la Cherry Hill then your needs will be different from those required for a large scale traction engine say. My advice, for what it's worth, is to get a few basic sizes ( Maybe you will get lucky and find a few cheaply S/H somewhere) and then buy the best quality you can afford for your favourite size of project. I agree with John that, for many jobs, - especially when used infrequently - carbon steel is quite OK. The other decision you will need to make is which system to use - metric or imperial? (You may need to add BA, BSP, ME sizes too). I was lucky enough to "inherit" a few taps and dies which got me started and I've bought others along the way.

My approach now is that when I start a project I look through the drawings and see what threads will be needed. If I dont have the required taps/ dies or if I do and mine are a bit "ratty" then I buy them along with the materials.

The advice given above on suppliers is sound.

Regards

Norman

I have had no problem with taps and dies etc from Tracy tools but beware if you buy a set (or indeed several individual ones) they may not be all the same make.

I've recentluy been replacing my metric taps which were a maixed bag from Tracey bought some 25 years ago with the 3 piece sets of Taper, 2nd & plug by Dormer. I get them from J&L/MSC when they are on special offer at 30-40% off list.

For BA taps I lihe the ones from EKP, thay have the small ctr hole in the head which make sit easy to keep them inline when tapping in the mill or lathe.

J

Edited By JasonB on 22/06/2013 18:24:01

I seem to recall that HSS (High Speed Steel) is called that because it retains its hardness at much higher temperatures than CS (Carbon Steel), in fact it can be glowing red and be still able to cut. That is hardly a requirement for taps and dies, and the downside is that HSS is not as hard as CS (of good manufacture). If your taps get blunt simply sharpen them, not so easy with dies but sharpening is still possible.

Chris

Edited By Chris Heapy on 22/06/2013 19:01:10

as NJH said - plan ahead. If you buy them singly the postage will cost a fortune.

I concur with Martin Walsh 1 above. tap-die.com, excellent service and products, although 'am mystified why they don't 'exhibit' at the Ally Pally M.E. show as they are based maybe just two or three miles away and Sandown Park would not exactly be a million miles away from them either.

Bought some from Tracy Tools at Harrogate, and very pleased with them. Also good service when I had to return one for exchange as I'd got the wrong size.

Have had some from ArcEuroTrade in sets of 3 taps, and they were good.

Something I believe is more important, but hasn't been mentioned, is how the tap or die is produced. I have some taps and dies which appear to have been milled, they have large burrs which will interfere with the thread form. At least they will (and do) in the small sizes that I use a lot....like between M1.6 and M4. with threads in or on Al Alloy.

I've found that the only way to get burr free taps and dies is to get Ground Thread stuff. This seems to mainly appear on HSS gear, so most of my taps and dies are now "HSS & GT".

cheers

Bill

And what are the comments on drill/taps ie; the taps with a drill point on them, generally only two flutes, but I have found that the ones I have got are excellent. At least you get the right tapping drill size. I usually drill out with the 'correct' drill first then pop the tap thro.