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Posted by Mr. INTJ on September 5, 2008, 8:09 pm
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Howdy folks,
I a software guy groping around in E.E. and M.E. in my spare time. I
have limited access to a machine shop at work, but I want to be able
to do some things at home since I generally end up doing it at night
and on the weekends.
I've looked around at my local hardware stores and on the Internet,
but the sets that I find tend to be too large; e.g. targeted at
automobile engines (SAE?).
Here's what I think I know so far:
- I shouldn't go with a cheap set; the taps will just break (does any
manufacturer guarantee/replace their taps?)
- I'm thinking that if I *either* get a standard/english/imperial *or*
metric set, I'll just end up needing the sizes I don't have, so I'm
looking to get one set with both, or two complimentary sets.
- The work I'm doing is generally smaller stuff - the kind of thing
you'd find in small electronic and electromechanical appliances. I
think this means I should be looking for a set with 2-56 to 1/4-inch
UNC threads.
- Then there's the question of coarse threads vs. fine. Seems like if
I had to choose, coarse would be the way to go, but as with std vs.
metric (above), I worry about constantly needing the one that I don't
have.
- The materials I use are primarily aluminum, various plastics, and
occasionally steel or brass.
Can anyone recommend a good choice in tap and die set(s), and an
online vendor (or a B&M store in San Diego)?
Thanks in advance!
-Mr. INTJ
San Diego, CA
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Posted by Terry Coombs on September 5, 2008, 8:48 pm
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Mr. INTJ wrote:
> Howdy folks,
>
> I a software guy groping around in E.E. and M.E. in my spare time. I
> have limited access to a machine shop at work, but I want to be able
> to do some things at home since I generally end up doing it at night
> and on the weekends.
>
> I've looked around at my local hardware stores and on the Internet,
> but the sets that I find tend to be too large; e.g. targeted at
> automobile engines (SAE?).
>
> Here's what I think I know so far:
>
> - I shouldn't go with a cheap set; the taps will just break (does any
> manufacturer guarantee/replace their taps?)
>
> - I'm thinking that if I *either* get a standard/english/imperial *or*
> metric set, I'll just end up needing the sizes I don't have, so I'm
> looking to get one set with both, or two complimentary sets.
>
> - The work I'm doing is generally smaller stuff - the kind of thing
> you'd find in small electronic and electromechanical appliances. I
> think this means I should be looking for a set with 2-56 to 1/4-inch
> UNC threads.
>
> - Then there's the question of coarse threads vs. fine. Seems like if
> I had to choose, coarse would be the way to go, but as with std vs.
> metric (above), I worry about constantly needing the one that I don't
> have.
>
> - The materials I use are primarily aluminum, various plastics, and
> occasionally steel or brass.
>
> Can anyone recommend a good choice in tap and die set(s), and an
> online vendor (or a B&M store in San Diego)?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> -Mr. INTJ
> San Diego, CA
From my experience - buy what you need , when you need it , and buy the
best you can find . I have a set from Horrible Fright , they're just not up
to what I need . Buying by the piece may cost a little more in the long run
, but you'll have quality that is more expensive than most want to spend in
a lump . Spreading it out hurts less <bg>.
BTW , I'm replacing the ones I use the most with the best I can find ...
--
Snag
Didn't really wanna buy them all twice but ...
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Posted by Michael Koblic on September 5, 2008, 10:23 pm
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> From my experience - buy what you need , when you need it , and buy the
> best you can find . I have a set from Horrible Fright , they're just not
> up to what I need . Buying by the piece may cost a little more in the long
> run , but you'll have quality that is more expensive than most want to
> spend in a lump . Spreading it out hurts less <bg>.
> BTW , I'm replacing the ones I use the most with the best I can find ...
> --
> Snag
> Didn't really wanna buy them all twice but ...
I will second that. In spades.
My purchase of a Mastercraft tap and die set proved to be a mistake.
BTW I have yet to see a set that goes as low as 2-56.
--
Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC
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Posted by Ignoramus29627 on September 5, 2008, 10:48 pm
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The most cost effective way would be to buy a bunch of used taps, at a
factory or on ebay.
--
Due to extreme spam originating from Google Groups, and their inattention
to spammers, I and many others block all articles originating
from Google Groups. If you want your postings to be seen by
more readers you will need to find a different means of
posting on Usenet.
http://improve-usenet.org/
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Posted by F. George McDuffee on September 5, 2008, 10:05 pm
Please log in for more thread options
On Fri, 5 Sep 2008 17:09:18 -0700 (PDT), "Mr. INTJ"
>- The work I'm doing is generally smaller stuff - the kind of thing
>you'd find in small electronic and electromechanical appliances. I
>think this means I should be looking for a set with 2-56 to 1/4-inch
>UNC threads.
>
>- Then there's the question of coarse threads vs. fine. Seems like if
>I had to choose, coarse would be the way to go, but as with std vs.
>metric (above), I worry about constantly needing the one that I don't
>have.
=================
Several good replies in this thread.
Depending in which corner of the electronics area you will
working, I think you will find a much smaller set of threads in
actual use.
My suggestion is to buy good, not necessarily the best, taps as
you need them, but as you buy, don't get just a single tap, but
rather several styles such as taper, plug, bottoming, gun, etc.
Also when you buy the taps get screw machine length [short] tap
and body drills. 135 degree split points tend to be
self-centering. The exotic coated taps are great for production,
but for the home shop, offer minimal benefit.
A good place to store these are plastic ammo boxes available at
most sporting goods stores and harbor freight. Remember taps are
brittle and will chip if banged together or dropped if an edge is
hit.
To save yourself considerable aggravation and broken taps get a
good tap wrench of the appropriate size, and make or buy a tap
guide block to insure that the taps start straight [#1 cause of
broken taps]. Also good are the tap holders that pilot off the
drill spindle or spring loaded tap guides.
Use a good quality tap lube when tapping. ["A little dab will do
ya" for hand tapping]
Be sure to back the tap up frequently to break the chip and avoid
binding/breakage. When the tap gets tight, back it out, [you may
need to rock it back and forth] and clean off the chips to avoid
breakage.
Above all take your time and don't force anything.
Good luck, and let the group know how you make out.
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>
> I a software guy groping around in E.E. and M.E. in my spare time. I
> have limited access to a machine shop at work, but I want to be able
> to do some things at home since I generally end up doing it at night
> and on the weekends.
>
> I've looked around at my local hardware stores and on the Internet,
> but the sets that I find tend to be too large; e.g. targeted at
> automobile engines (SAE?).
>
> Here's what I think I know so far:
>
> - I shouldn't go with a cheap set; the taps will just break (does any
> manufacturer guarantee/replace their taps?)
>
> - I'm thinking that if I *either* get a standard/english/imperial *or*
> metric set, I'll just end up needing the sizes I don't have, so I'm
> looking to get one set with both, or two complimentary sets.
>
> - The work I'm doing is generally smaller stuff - the kind of thing
> you'd find in small electronic and electromechanical appliances. I
> think this means I should be looking for a set with 2-56 to 1/4-inch
> UNC threads.
>
> - Then there's the question of coarse threads vs. fine. Seems like if
> I had to choose, coarse would be the way to go, but as with std vs.
> metric (above), I worry about constantly needing the one that I don't
> have.
>
> - The materials I use are primarily aluminum, various plastics, and
> occasionally steel or brass.
>
> Can anyone recommend a good choice in tap and die set(s), and an
> online vendor (or a B&M store in San Diego)?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> -Mr. INTJ
> San Diego, CA