Recommend me a ....... Tap and die set
 

Well actually I'm not that bothered about the die's because I'll hardly ever use them. But I want a good quality tap set. I got a cheap set off ebay and the handle just snapped the first time I used it.
I was looking at these draper ones but there seems to be a few different sizes and I don't know which to go for
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...ait/c37b_1.jpg

Also, the set I got only had one tap for each size. Is it best to have the 3 different shapes of each size of tap?

Re: Recommend me a ....... Tap and die set
 

Halfruads £30 for mine. Seems okay, done the job.

Re: Recommend me a ....... Tap and die set
 

When buying taps and dies you should get high speed steel ones (usually stamped HSS), cheap sets are usually inferior high carbon steel. If you are only cleaning up threads you only really need a plug tap, to get to the bottom of blind holes. If you are tapping a new blind thread from scratch you ideally would start with the taper tap, then use the slightly less tapered tap (known as the second tap), then finnish with the plug tap (also known as a bottoming tap). Of course, if the thread is in a through hole thats not to deep, then just a taper tap would do.

A bit long winded I know. I bet you're sorry you asked now:smt120

Re: Recommend me a ....... Tap and die set
 

As above. HSS is in my experience much better than carbon steel, but you do pay for it.

Halfrauds have a 10% online reserve discount until tomorrow Monday 24th Nov, and £10 voucher if you spend £50 or more. I just stocked up on oil/screenwash and stuff which I needed anyway, so now have the £10 voucher for next month, which will go towards something useful.

Their tap and die set is almost certainly carbon steel I'd guess, but probably reasonable quality.

Re: Recommend me a ....... Tap and die set
 

What about this ?

Re: Recommend me a ....... Tap and die set
 

buy a good quality tap wrench then add taps as you go. second and bottoming ones are really all you need.. if you are tapping a flat bar all the way threw just get a second... buy good quality. there is nothing worse than trying to get a snapped tap out.. also when you get the tap get the right size drill bit at the same time.

a good quality tap wrench should last you for a lifetime... and depending how often you use the taps they will also last a lifetime...

Re: Recommend me a ....... Tap and die set
 

just to add.. get the bar type wrench...

like this:
http://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/880/m...mm/pid/7219118

Re: Recommend me a ....... Tap and die set
 

made of cheese , tight boss bought 1 had to bin it (would have cost more to spark out broken taps) give me a list of sizes you require and will get a price for them , as we buy in bulk now can get cheaper also might be minus vat ?

Re: Recommend me a ....... Tap and die set
 

Depends how much but, M4, M5, M6, M8 and M10. Is it the 3 of each size type of thing?

Re: Recommend me a ....... Tap and die set
 

prob. be ok with just 2nd taps , may have a set of old ones in my shed (i keep leaving them in my work jeans shhh) will have a look next time i'm in there pm your address and you can have them