Taps; Sell or Save

Fergienewbee

Well-known Member
I'm getting a bunch of stuff together for a consignment sale this weekend. My dad had several taps. I'm torn between hanging on to them--just in case I might need one someday--and selling them. Are they worth anything used? How much are they new? He probably has 25-30 of different sizes. Thanks.

Larry
 
If it were me I would keep them unless they were very large taps, small ones do not bring very much used around here. Ontario Canada
 
If you do much repair work on tractors or machinery, I would keep them.
A few years ago I bought about 50 taps in a box for fifty dollars at a consighnment auction. Just using a few of them paid for the box.
 
Hi Larry,

Americans nowadays seemed to have formed a strong prejudice against anything used. Few people are influenced by the fact that many products are decidedly inferior in quality to those that were manufactured forty or more years ago. This is a good situation for a careful, knowledgeable buyer, but a bad one for a seller. You probably won't get much for the taps---but of course, you won't get anything if you don't sell them. I'd keep the taps unless I could somehow be absolutely certain I'd never need one again.

Stan
 
Run your fingers across the area that does the work, the leading edge next to the flutes. They should look, and feel sharp, not kinda sharp but SHARP. If they are keep them, if they are dull let the bargain at the sale run them up, they usually will pay 10X what worn out, dull and broken tooling is actually worth.
 
Sell them if you like, hopefully they will bring enough to pay for the one you are going to need the day after the sale.
Dang Murphys law is just waiting for you to get rid of them so it can decide what to break on you next.
 
I bought a wooden box at a farm auction with taps and drill bits with two electric drills for three buck a few years ago. Same auction I bought a box with an old 1/2" electric drill and a 3/8 electric drill for seven bucks. Only one of the electric drill didn't work. They were sold off a wagon and I could not get close enough even get a close look so it was not because there were not buyers at the auction. Never been to an consignment auction so would not know how the buyers bid.
 
I'm cleaning up the second of two estates in the past few years, there are 1000's of new and used tools.
We are getting, at auction, GOOD prices for GOOD tools, real good for older US brands that are now made "in the land of the little people"
A few things doing very well are VISE GRIP USA and MILWAUKEE items that are now made over there. Also older namebrand wrenches,& most RIDGID items
Sat. a Cigar sized box of used bits, brought about what I'd wanted to give for that amount had they been new.
Out of the other estate had some NOS USA fractional twist drills that rang the bell, but were still a good buy for buyer [a machine shop]
I haul ,lot out ,and set it up, I DON"T RUN UP OR SET THE PRICES.
 
If you do mechanic work or know you will in the future, I would keep. If not, I would sell. What you can get out of them? Thats hard to say. A complete set that is of high quality and condition might bring some bucks. I wouldn't look to get rich on the deal.
 
Take them and slide the cutting edge on your thumb nail. If it leaves scratches is will be sharp enough to cut. Don't press down just use the weight of the tap
 
Knowledgeable buyers who are also current tool users represent a small subset of the whole American population, but your experience with this situation probably has more relevance to the original poster's question than my answer did. My experience with garage sales, secondhand stores, etc. leads me to believe that there aren't enough knowledgeable buyers to keep the prices of great tools much higher than the price of total junk.

Stan
 
I doubt they will bring much either ?
That's the kind of stuff I love to buy as it goes cheap and they work great to clean out old holes and chase threads.
If there is any chance at all you may need them I'd keep them as they don't take up much room.
Or at least keep one of all the sizes.
 
Thanks for the input. I think I'll keep them. Maybe I'll even learn to use them. It would be kind of cool to be able to tap my own holes.

Larry
 
Larry,

Tapping your own holes is simple, satisfying, and useful. Get good instructions, use the right accessories (square, thread cutting oil, tap holder) and don't hurry. You can also use taps to chase burred or distorted threads, and you'll probably end up doing that more often than threading holes.

Stan
 
What size are the largest taps?

Two weeks ago I was at a consignment auction. Several common size tap and die kits all sold for less than $5. If you have the space, you won't be out much to keep them.

I get a little pride when I know I'm using the very same tool that my father or grandfather used in their days.
 
absolutely keep them.

Even if they're slightly worn, they'll still be good enough for chasing threads.

First time you use one to clean out an old rusty or greasy/grimy threaded hole you'll wonder how you've lived so long without them.

Get the dies to do external threads and you'll be even happier.

Seriously - clean threads are a pleasure to re-assemble and Soooo worth the little extra effort of cleaning them out properly.

Remember the one most important rule with taps: treat them like they're made out of glass.

They are very brittle, and snapping one in the wrong place will make you miserable.
 
I was over 50 years old before I learned to weld. I got along without it for more than 25 years of remodeling houses, but I'd hate to not have access to it now.

Stan
 

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