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Post by flames on Aug 16, 2020 19:09:05 GMT 1
Does anybody know if they're any good? I need to get a new set, I have a cheap set I bought years ago but although it cuts threads ok they are a little on the loose side. Don't want to spend a fortune but don't want to waste my money so if anyone has a recommendation for a decent set that won't break the bank please let me know.
Cheers.
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stasky
Drag-strip hero
Posts: 243
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Post by stasky on Aug 16, 2020 19:16:45 GMT 1
they have been on the go for years,i would imagine they are ok,dont think it would be a waste of money,certainly wouldnt waste my money on snap on or the likes,as there chrome stuff rusts real quick,spanners etc,anything with a name would be ok, draper etc,if i was needing a new set i would consider the us pro,i usually just buy individually when i break one,mines a mixed set of god knows what
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Post by Yogi on Aug 16, 2020 19:17:04 GMT 1
Us- pro are part of Bergen so budget range unfortunately 🥴
I’ve got there tool cabinets,,there ok but not snap on
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Post by earthman on Aug 16, 2020 19:25:58 GMT 1
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Post by flames on Aug 16, 2020 19:43:03 GMT 1
Cheers for that. The 28 piece one looks about right for me. Not really sure on the top set with the different sorts of taps, not sure if you're meant to use all 3 to cut a thread? Mainly need to clean / re cut threads and the odd but of drilling and tapping so just need a basic set of multiple sizes .
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Post by earthman on Aug 16, 2020 20:36:18 GMT 1
Joe explains a lot about the differences in taps.
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Post by tell7437 on Aug 16, 2020 20:57:07 GMT 1
The trouble with buying a set is you are paying for some you will probably never use, might be better buying the ones needed and add too them as or when you are going to use them
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Post by flames on Aug 16, 2020 21:01:50 GMT 1
Joe explains a lot about the differences in taps. Jesus!!! I thought drill hole run tap through. Dodgy thread , run a tap through. When did cutting threads get so technical?? Great link bud thanks. Now thinking I need the set in your earlier post.😁
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Post by oldbritguy on Aug 16, 2020 21:03:02 GMT 1
I have got a Machine Mart set which I use as a general thread cutting set on most DIY jobs around the workshop. There are loads of sizes in the set which I will more than likely never use. For the common sizes on the bike i.e. m5, m6, m8, and m10 I got good hss taps (sets of 3) from Tracey tools. They have a huge range of good metal cutting tools at reasonable prices. I have also used eBay for getting good individual taps and dies building up a set of tools that I actually need. John
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Post by 29davyt on Aug 16, 2020 21:08:22 GMT 1
Cheers for that. The 28 piece one looks about right for me. Not really sure on the top set with the different sorts of taps, not sure if you're meant to use all 3 to cut a thread? Mainly need to clean / re cut threads and the odd but of drilling and tapping so just need a basic set of multiple sizes . Many years ago I served my time as an apprentice Fitter/turner,, was always considered good practice to run all 3 Taps down if possible,, difficult with blind holes obviously ,, keep the Swarf out and only Tap a full turn before reverse Tap, get some lube on it also ..
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Post by flames on Aug 16, 2020 21:15:28 GMT 1
Cheers mate. I usually only go 1/4 to half a turn before backing off. Didn't know about there were so many different versions of taps. I thought there were 2. 1 for cutting threads and one to make things wet.😁
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Post by cb250g5 on Aug 16, 2020 21:17:54 GMT 1
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Post by 29davyt on Aug 16, 2020 21:19:22 GMT 1
You’ll know when you’ve done it right,, feels very smooth !!! 😂😂😂
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Post by st66 on Aug 16, 2020 21:57:05 GMT 1
Flames mate,,, if you can find out the sizes you need and buy separate mate or if you get a set for not a bad prize thats cool also,, but as said a big set??? Myself being a technician I sort of need theses for my job., shit old job lol ile say my trade,,, all my gear is mostly snap on I bought a huge set of taps / dies from snap on few years back must have 50 odd taps, dies to match and in those few years iv used m8 m10 m12 and that's it non of the other stuff,, so it's personal choice mate,, and it wasn't cheap the set like nearly£400 for three taps and dies,,, so sum you will never use,, so, ?
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Post by flames on Aug 16, 2020 22:17:57 GMT 1
I do have a handful of good taps. I have a good tap handle for bigger taps. Sooooo anyone know where I can get a good handle for smaller taps. This seems a better way to go.
Thanks all for your comments / advice. Very much appreciated.
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Post by st66 on Aug 16, 2020 22:23:49 GMT 1
Pm me your address mate and ile send you a snap on one free gratis as I've a spare one, oblong type with two knurled rods which tighten against the tap about 6 inches long if you want it you can have it mate coz I'm a nice guy 👍
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Post by st66 on Aug 16, 2020 22:25:55 GMT 1
Same as this,, I tend not to use them as I've a socket for taps mate.
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Post by st66 on Aug 16, 2020 22:29:25 GMT 1
Or do wot I do and a 5.5 mm 1/4socket multi hex fits the ends of the taps,, well snap on one's mate I should add
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Post by earthman on Aug 16, 2020 22:34:43 GMT 1
Joe explains a lot about the differences in taps. Jesus!!! I thought drill hole run tap through. Dodgy thread , run a tap through. When did cutting threads get so technical?? Great link bud thanks. Now thinking I need the set in your earlier post.😁 It all depends on how much tinkering/what else you may get up to in your garage to how big of a set you need/want,....I bought that set because it's got sizes that my other smaller sets don't have and bottoming taps, I didn't have any of those period. I often end up fixing or making all sorts of one off things, like with lathe or milling bits, you just can't end up with owning too many I say, there's always a size/shape that you don't have.
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Post by flames on Aug 16, 2020 22:43:47 GMT 1
I would love to have a lathe / milling machine. Wouldn't have a clue how to use one tho. 😁
I wish when I left school I went into engineering. As said many times before hindsight is a wonderful thing....😁
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Post by muttsnuts on Aug 17, 2020 9:19:23 GMT 1
I only buy and use Presto taps and dies, I buy the box set (3 taps) per size, they are made from HSS, avoid "carbon steel" they will snap and snag. Presto aren't the cheapest, but are a good quality item and will last for years, when it comes to taps and dies, you tend to get what you pay for, buy cheap, they will be cheap and not very good
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Post by earthman on Aug 17, 2020 9:28:41 GMT 1
I only buy and use Presto taps and dies, I buy the box set (3 taps) per size, they are made from HSS, avoid "carbon steel" they will snap and snag. Presto aren't the cheapest, but are a good quality item and will last for years, when it comes to taps and dies, you tend to get what you pay for, buy cheap, they will be cheap and not very good Going by my own experience I kind of disagree about the "not being very good" aspect. All my sets are carbon steel ones, I've never had one cut a bad thread even from scratch on a piece of steel rod, for the home mechanic/occasional user, I think they are fine to be honest. Sure, if you have plenty of cash or need to use them day in day out, buying those box sets would be the way to go.
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Dave B
Drag-strip hero
Posts: 240
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Post by Dave B on Aug 17, 2020 9:54:27 GMT 1
I'm a third generation metal worker, so I have quite a lot of taps, many of them inherited. In imperial sizes, there are Whitworth (coarse), British standard fine (BSF), British Cycle Thread (very fine), even one or two gas thread taps, which are tapered, and of course the US standard, UNF (which are an average of Whit and BSF so that = Unified). Then there are the B.A taps and dies for the very small threads used in model making. I have a nice set of metric taps and dies, containing both Metric coarse and Metric fine. There is also a plastic drawer with a selection of 'modified' taps that have been ground for various special tasks. I can honestly say that I have used almost every one of those types of tap and die during years of making things, mending things and building bikes.
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Post by cb250g5 on Aug 17, 2020 10:06:53 GMT 1
I've lots of sets of 3 of imperial taps, many Presto, LAL and other good old British makes, and they are a pleasure to use, still sharp after all these years. My Scott is mainly BSW and BSF. However my relatively cheap metric ones do the job, and it's handy to have the fine & course ones to hand in the Screwfix set I linked to above. No bottoming taps though.
I need a set of BA ones though, and some BSP dies, shopping never ends does it.
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Post by muttsnuts on Aug 17, 2020 17:38:33 GMT 1
suppose from my point of view I am using them alot, so tend to buy what will provide years of service, I have allsorts of sizes including NPT which is used alot for water pipe threads (temp senders etc), especially if American made
I've tried cheap sets and to be fair they have lasted a year or two, but do have an habit of breaking, especially is used in the lathe, but then I do use a lot of lathe taps and they need to be good quality, hence why I avoid carbon steel, they don't hack it
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Post by flames on Aug 17, 2020 17:49:40 GMT 1
suppose from my point of view I am using them alot, so tend to buy what will provide years of service, I have allsorts of sizes including NPT which is used alot for water pipe threads (temp senders etc), especially if American made I've tried cheap sets and to be fair they have lasted a year or two, but do have an habit of breaking, especially is used in the lathe, but then I do use a lot of lathe taps and they need to be good quality, hence why I avoid carbon steel, they don't hack it Unfortunately for me I have neither your technical ability, nor the machinery to put them truly to the test. That being said I want something up to the job. For what little I will use them I don't need top quality expensive items, but I bought a cheap set years ago that leaves the threads a little loose for my liking, and although not as bad as I used to be ( I do own and use a torque wrench now) I have always been a bit 'heavy handed' shall we say....hence the need for thread repair.....I shall also be purchasing a helicoil kit for those that have gone beyond. Great advice on here and I think rather than a kit I would be better buying decent taps of the size I need. I also needed the tool to use them in but thanks to a very kind st66 I have one on its way.😁
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Post by st66 on Aug 17, 2020 19:11:46 GMT 1
See your point flames mate, the trick is just take your time tapping is not that complicated mte unless like mutts said he uses his in a lathe a hnd set doesn't have to me mega expensive lathe ones do they have to be mega uality Doe the stresses involved in a lathe,, but a hand set is as said different, just make sure you try to keep the tap as strigt as posdible when useing it twist the tap into the hole a few turns until you feel it cutting then a turn at a time then back one, forward until it gets tight then back to slacken then turn until it gets tight, but don't force it to much a bit at a time and should be fine mate, the handle I've sent is ideal for this mate, hand strength is enough to cut a thread mate, if you apply loads of force it will snap the tap and the your In a world of crap lol once you've done a few you will get the hang of it mate it's easy 👍👍
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Post by steven on Aug 17, 2020 20:44:10 GMT 1
... if you scroll down on this thread, you will see a tap, with my boot next to it for size, biggest one iv seen. I see I posted this alsmost two years ago. Is it ? photobucket still works on even days and not odd days ? Steven. ps does any one else call a tap wrench a dwang ? Steven. rdlccrazy.proboards.com/thread/45749/350lc-exhaust-studs
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Post by stusco on Aug 17, 2020 20:54:06 GMT 1
Me
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Post by flames on Aug 17, 2020 21:02:39 GMT 1
Jesus wept!!!!! You would need a big 4x4 to drive that round!!!
Never heard em called a dwang, but it deffo sounds more technical than ' the t bar thing that holds the tap'.
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