What material for tap & die sets?

**mike77** · 02-01-2012, 12:43 PM

I'm looking to buy a tap and die set, but don't know which one to buy. I've seen choices for carbon steel, high speed steel, alloy steel, and TiN coated but don't understand the benefits of each. Any suggestions on which material to buy? I don't expect it to get a lot of use, but today I had another need for one which makes several times in the past year. Mostly I work with mild steel, but there is a chance I'll need to use it on other materials. I'd also be interested in hearing recommendations for sets to buy or avoid.

Thanks,
Mike

**Gadget** · 02-01-2012, 04:04 PM

You will be disappointed with carbon steel in my opinion. I had a set once and threw it away. High speed steel is probably your best bet. I don't know the advantage of coated tap and dies so I can't comment on them.

**SICFabrications** · 02-01-2012, 08:55 PM

Titanium nitride coating (TiN) is harder than hammered hell, but the layer is so very thin that once you chip it off or burn it, you might as well add what's left to the scrap iron pile. Don't buy the carbon steel dies unless you trying to thread candle wax and pine wood. The HSS steel (high speed steel) dies are decent, but if you want the ones that will stay true and cut forever, then spend the bucks and get tungsten carbide or cobalt (not the lowes name brand) but real cobalt. For the occasional use and a tight budget the tin coated taps n dies are all right. In my shop, the taps and dies are propriety snap-on cobalt. I use impacts to thread stuff cause I ain't got the time to half turn in quarter turn out, repeat

**KHK** · 02-01-2012, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by SICFabrications

Titanium nitride coating (TiN) is harder than hammered hell, but the layer is so very thin that once you chip it off or burn it, you might as well add what's left to the scrap iron pile. Don't buy the carbon steel dies unless you trying to thread candle wax and pine wood. The HSS steel (high speed steel) dies are decent, but if you want the ones that will stay true and cut forever, then spend the bucks and get tungsten carbide or cobalt (not the lowes name brand) but real cobalt. For the occasional use and a tight budget the tin coated taps n dies are all right. In my shop, the taps and dies are propriety snap-on cobalt. I use impacts to thread stuff cause I ain't got the time to half turn in quarter turn out, repeat

Ditto, I agree 100%!!!

**Nick** · 02-02-2012, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Gadget

You will be disappointed with carbon steel in my opinion.

Ditto here.

I do have a friend that gets very limited use out of a cheap HF set, but it's not something he pays the bills with, nor gets away with shortcuts/mistakes.

Falls under the machining clause. One of those areas where buying right the first time really does pay off.

**gilly** · 02-03-2012, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by Nick

Ditto here.

I do have a friend that gets very limited use out of a cheap HF set, but it's not something he pays the bills with, nor gets away with shortcuts/mistakes.

Falls under the machining clause. One of those areas where buying right the first time really does pay off.

I agree with you fully.If you have ever tried to get a tap out after breaking it off in there,you will buy the better stuff next time.

**mike77** · 02-03-2012, 07:39 AM

Thanks guys. I kind of figured the TiN coated tools would be the way to go.
It sounds like I should avoid the HF sets. Any recommendations for brands or suppliers to look for? Either for a set or individual tools.
If you don't buy a set, how do you store the individual pieces? Unfortunately the good quality sets are more than I want to spend for the limited use they'll see. At the same time, I haven't really seen empty cases for tap & die sets.

Thanks,
Mike

**Gadget** · 02-03-2012, 07:49 AM

I bought a complete set at Sears back when they had the lifetime warranty. I replaced several of the smaller taps under warranty as they broke (my fault). The quit honoring that warranty (on all tools) though. Seems lifetime has a different meaning to Sears than it does to me. They still have pretty good tools but without the warranty I'll just go to the local hardware store.

**arandall** · 02-03-2012, 10:45 AM

I have a set of what I believe is HSS taps and dies that I have had and used successfully for at least the last 20 years that was reasonably in-expensive. I looked on the box for details, but all it says is "Made in Japan". I have only broken a couple of them, but I am reasonably careful when cutting threads, and as Stan alluded to, when cutting I always use the "one step forward, two steps back" method to clear away the cuttings. While it isn't a "Green Lee" set, it has served me well, and paid for itself many times over, but keep in mind this is hobby use, not production line stuff.