Tap and Die Set Recomendation

2510Paul · Sep 2, 2016

I am looking at the following Irwin Hanson Tap and Die set as a starter set for a high schooler to work on farm equipment and autos. Does anyone have any experience with the Irwin Hanson Tap and Die sets? This 24606 set is like a set I acquired many years ago. As a starter set it has served me well. I just don't know about the current day sets.

I also posted this on the tools forum but thought I might get more views here.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IRWIN-HANSON-24606-Tap-and-Die-Set-41-pc-High-Carbon-Steel-/331322482280?hash=item4d245bde68:g:KfYAAOSwneRXRS4O

Paul

Janicholson · Sep 2, 2016

High carbon is OK it is not tool steel. Irwin has been a great tool company in the US past. If it is from across the big pond, probably not as good as a used set from a pawn shop made in USA. Jim

JD Seller · Sep 2, 2016

The high carbon steel sets are better than nothing but can break real easy. With an inexperienced used they will be broken real fast.

Here is a link to a "good" used Hanson tap and die set. It is tool steel. I have had one of these sets for close to forty years now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Irwin-Hanson-Tap-Die-Super-Set-24606-/201657908266?hash=item2ef3bf7c2a:g:FBYAAOSwFV9Xx0rK&item=201657908266&vxp=mtr
Hanson set.

Deutz Lover · Sep 2, 2016

I thought that carbon steel taps were preferred because if one gets stuck or breaks off in a hole it can be shattered with a chisel and the pieces removed.

Josh-nhihguy · Sep 2, 2016

Can't help you with the Irwin Hanson question, but your post reminded me of something that happened just today. My old man and I were working on the feederhouse on the combine today tearing out the old poly floor. Working away, not really saying much to each other and working persistently like he likes to do, he heads back into the shop to clean some threads on a still usable carriage bolt.
Half hour later after I'd done everything I could up to that point and drank half a barley pop waiting for his return I finally went to investigate. Here he is in the shop, bent over the tap and die set with a bottle of super glue. Seems the old wooden case the set is in had cracked apart. Says he couldn't remember how long ago he bought the set. Long story short, everything had to stop until he glued and taped it back together and was satisfied. Gave me a laugh but hey we like our tools. And it was beer time.

Josh

Mike(NEOhio) · Sep 2, 2016

High speed steel is better for cutting tools. Cost will probably be higher.

504 · Sep 2, 2016

You might check out the tool trucks,I believe Matco had a life time warranty. Just a thought.

gears · Sep 2, 2016

I've never tried to warranty a cutting tool. Sears sent me away without a new drill bit even though it said "craftsman" on it.

Paul from MI · Sep 2, 2016

I don't care what brand you use, anybody that never broke a tap never used one. For common everyday use a low cost high speed steel set like Hansons is fine. If you are a tool and diemaker, then buy a top of the line "Cleveland" set or equivalent because you'll use it every day. More important is to know how to use a tap without loading it with chips and breaking it. That takes experience, which you will get by breaking taps.
Paul, toolmaker for over 40 years.

DeltaRed · Sep 2, 2016

25+ years ago I bought a 'cheap' Harbor frieght set 1/4" to one inch. Cant count how many bolts/holes it has threaded.Broke one or two over the years.Just went and bought a replacement tap from TrueValue.I would buy another without hesitation.

CGID · Sep 2, 2016

Small taps, #8 and smaller, are easily broken no matter what they are made of. The inherent brittleness of carbon-steel can be used to advantage to help remove small, broken C-S taps. Striking the stub with a small punch will cause its threads to crumble and the stub can be removed in pieces.

matthies · Sep 2, 2016

Hanson's should treat you just fine, stay away from Vermont/American, not even good for cleaning threads up. Since he is starting out buy him a set of Walton tap extractors, he will be the hero sooner or later with those. Also I prefer the adjustable dies that are 12 point instead of six point, that way you can use a deep well socket to get into some restricted areas.

37chief · Sep 2, 2016

I would think any US made set should be ok. I picked up a Craftsman set at a swap meet a year or so ago. Not happy with Craftsman, but for the price under 15.00 I couldn't go wrong. I got it mostly for the metric part. Now metric anything is a challenge to figure the size. No matter the brand like someone else said taps will break. Stan

gene bender · Sep 2, 2016

Quality of the tap starts with sharp drill bit with hole drilled with a drill press and the work clamped fast to the drilled piece cant move then champer the hole so the tap can get a straight and easy start with tap lube rest is common sense in using pressure on the tap. Most taps are broken by using bad procedure. Dies need slight undersize rod with lube again and have a straight cut champfered some to start ALWAYS have the correct drill using chart. Some holes need a fractioal hole and some need a lettered and some even need a numbered drill to make the hole. Some hardened materials just arent good to use a die. Need to know what material you are using.

Alan K · Sep 2, 2016

I bought an unused new "Ace" brand set from a neighbor several years back. I think he got it from SuperSweet feeds or something. When I wore out the 1/4-20NC I was looking for something to cut threads for the battery bolts I make. After trying a Morse die for almost $40 which I was disappointed with, I ended up with a Century brand which was about $5. I have cut several threads with it and it has held up well. I dont know if they make sets though. Good cutting oil will make a world of difference as well.

oldtanker · Sep 2, 2016

Paul, I bought a set of Irwin a few years ago. They have been great for my limited needs. Decent quality for a decent price. I've only got the SAE stuff. Cost was right at 160 bucks when I bought them.

Rick

D beatty · Sep 2, 2016

If want your dies to hold up make sure you use a good grade of thread cutting oil.

Traditional Farmer · Sep 3, 2016

Get on ebay and get a good used Greenfield Tap and Die set.Top of the line I have several sets I picked up over the years.

Richard G. · Sep 3, 2016

I bought a Kobalt brand at Lowes years ago. Been very happy with it. I have worked some of the cutters a bunch.
Richard in NW SC

M-MAN · Sep 3, 2016

New ones are nothing like your old ones.

4240 Turbo · Sep 3, 2016

YES, MATCODOES HAVE LIFETIME AND THEY ARE 4 FLUTE. easier to extract. Have them warrantied if chipped or broken, a master set up to 12mm and 1/2" should run you $250-300 and be a master set inch and metric.

tom stalker · Sep 3, 2016

Hit and miss these days...even with the better name ones like Greenfield, Cleveland, etc

We've had batches come in the shop and wouldn't last 3-4 holes in stainless

go slow, back out often to clear the chips and use a good quality tapping / cutting fluid

proper cutting fluid really helps

GeneMO · Sep 3, 2016

(quoted from post at 18:57:21 09/02/16) Can't help you with the Irwin Hanson question, but your post reminded me of something that happened just today. My old man and I were working on the feederhouse on the combine today tearing out the old poly floor. Working away, not really saying much to each other and working persistently like he likes to do, he heads back into the shop to clean some threads on a still usable carriage bolt.
Half hour later after I'd done everything I could up to that point and drank half a barley pop waiting for his return I finally went to investigate. Here he is in the shop, bent over the tap and die set with a bottle of super glue. Seems the old wooden case the set is in had cracked apart. Says he couldn't remember how long ago he bought the set. Long story short, everything had to stop until he glued and taped it back together and was satisfied. Gave me a laugh but hey we like our tools. And it was beer time.

Super glue?? for wood?? Never tried it.

Gene
Josh

GeneMO · Sep 3, 2016

We had to buy a new set when our shop burned. So I know the date. 1976. We bought a new set of Craftsman. They have served well for general farm use. And we probably abused them some to boot.

Still have em, still in good shape.

I cannot get along with anything I try now days that is new. I have gotten to the point where the first thing I do is look for where it is made. I just dont take anything Chinese home. So I dont buy much new. I have the luxury of traveling the state with my wifes job, and with my previous job. I stop at every flea market, junk store, garage sale. Find lots of good, older, USA made stuff.

Some of the stores for contractors carry good quality stuff, but it aint cheap. Locally we have Nu-Way.

Gene

Dean · Sep 3, 2016

Agreed, Gene.

I bought a Craftsman tap and die set for home/farm use about 25 years ago. It has served me very well since.

No complaints.

Dean

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