Help me find a tap and die set

iadr wrote: I think having plastic cases sets smacks of amateurism.

It's okay. I am an amateur!

codrus wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: The more expensive HF Metric set is actually quite good. Believe it runs $80. The cheapest HF stuff is pretty.... garbage.

Perhaps. The cheap HF set (runs about $12) has served me fine for cleaning up existing threads on steel fasteners. It didn't like trying to do inconel studs, but I'm really not surprised by that. :)

Yeah, i have the cheaper separate metric and SAE sets that have served me well. Honestly my biggest complaint is the die holders. I hate them. The taps/dies themselves work just fine.

I have a set of older Craftsman metric taps and dies and a Blue Point inch set. They are good quality despite the plastic cases. I discovered that using taps and dies to 'restore' threads isn't a real good idea, they are designed to 'cut' metal rather than 'straighten'. So I bought a Craftsman thread restorer set (also in plastic ) which has been sheer magic for its intended purpose.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-48-pc-sae-metric-thread-restorer-kit/p-00942275000P

I use a little cutting oil with each setup, works great.

When picking up various taps and dies for odd threads, first thing is to go to NAPA or similar. Their taps and dies have always been of good quality even though I have no idea where they actually come from. I avoid round dies like the plague, those things are junk. Hex shaped dies only. I have had so so luck with the newer Hanson stuff, that pretty much directed me back to the NAPA stuff. It appears the newer Craftsman tap and die sets are reboxed Hansons, not quite sure what I'll do if I need to buy a new set of stuff so I take real good care of what I have (wipedown, spray with WD40, keep them in the plastic box, take care to always start them straight, etc).

Side note: drill bits. Do not waste your $ or time on HSS, Ti coated, any of those gimmick bits. I've had them wear out on 1-2 holes in mild steel. Buy cobalts, you will thank yourself. I took a chance on a HF cobalt set for around $50 and was pleasantly surprised; they have lasted at least as long as the Ridgids etc that I've bought. Have not tried it, but HF has a larger cobalt set which includes letter drills too.