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Source for GOOD taps and dies

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by LarryD, Apr 8, 2010.

  1. Apr 8, 2010
    LarryD

    LarryD Member

    Gallup NM/ 4 Corners
    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2006
    Messages:
    637
    This was covered late last year in either this forum or off topics but I can't find it. My ACE Hardware used to have a really good assortment of drill bits including fractional and wire size bits and taps and dies but the have really cut back there selection. I went today looking for a 25/64 and 7,8 and 20 and they didn't have them. I had gone to Home Depot earlier and they have the same 25 sizes in 4 different brands. My welding supply had the 25/64 which is what I needed but when I asked about the others he thought I wanted metric.
    Any way I know a source was posted late last year and if anyone has that info I would appreciate posting again.
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2010
  2. Apr 8, 2010
    groomer_guy

    groomer_guy Member

    Western...
    Joined:
    May 12, 2007
    Messages:
    233
    Some of the suppliers we use at work are:
    www.fastenal.com, Fastenal supply
    www.mcmaster.com, McMaster Carr
    www.grainger.com, Grainger industrial supply
    I know there are others out there but that is where we get some pretty decent stuff. I hope this helps.
     
  3. Apr 8, 2010
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    5,349
    For the average Joe forget Grainger all together as they are so high its pitiful. I wouldn't use Mcmaster carr for drills as they do not publish who makes there drills. Fastenal is ok but still high priced. I do machine work for a living so this is where I'm coming from. Enco is decent and caters to hobbiest's but make sure you buy american for the smaller sizes. MSC industrial is very good and actually owns Enco. You would be better off buying a complete fractional set for about $45 and forgetting it, I have a Tri-Dex set of Precision twist drills I bought new in 1983, they are about $450 now, they have literally drilled 10's of 1000's of holes over the years and I have only replaced maybe 15 of the 115 piece set in all these years. Good drill bits should last years and years.
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2010
  4. Apr 8, 2010
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    So how do you feel about Hansen (sp?) taps?
     
  5. Apr 8, 2010
    BC3Jeep

    BC3Jeep Electric Bill

    NW Illinois
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2009
    Messages:
    47
    http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=1678469&PMT4NO=0

    http://www.mcmaster.com/#metalworking-and-multi-purpose-drill-bits-and-rods/=6ktp67

    As you can see.....virtually identical standards and consists. I have found over the years that McMaster is FAR more hobbyist (onesy....home delivery....one of) friendly than any other of the services mentioned. BTW....it never hurts to have more than one source for ANYTHING. Having accounts (or order histories) with multiple vendors virtually ensures you will be able to find something in the future.
     
  6. Apr 8, 2010
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
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    4,460
    Too brittle IMO. OSG or Cleveland is all I usually buy-90+% from ENCO.
     
  7. Apr 9, 2010
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    5,349
    Hanson are carbon steel and as mentioned are brittle and take more effort to turn than a comparable HSS tap such as OSG, Cleveland or most of them. There not bad considering they are usually availalbe locally but given the choice the HSS will last longer and are much easier to use.
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2010
  8. Apr 9, 2010
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    I bought a couple at my FLHS, packaged as Irwin, taps said Hanson right on them.
    Fairly inexpensive, and cheap, too;) My Snap On taps may not be the best quality, but they're certainly better than these.
     
  9. Apr 9, 2010
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    5,349
    Hanson is a division of Irwin!! Irwin is not an industrial tap set, they are sold as home or hobby use. I have never seen a shop use there taps unless they were bought for the gorilla's in the maintenance department that could tear up an anvil with a rubber hammer.
    I have never seen or used a Snap on tap and they don't give the specs on the site that I can find, if they are Carbon taps, you will die if you ever use a HSS tap as the difference in tapping is night and day.
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2010
  10. Apr 9, 2010
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    Pretty sure they're carbon. I have used HSS taps. I have a drawer full of them at work.
     
  11. Apr 9, 2010
    groomer_guy

    groomer_guy Member

    Western...
    Joined:
    May 12, 2007
    Messages:
    233
    Well I guess there are some others. We have local shops here that have very good quality stuff but you will pay the price. But you do get what you pay for with drills and taps. I do agree with the comment about McMaster and some of there stuff is just hobbyist stuff. Grainger and fastenal we get a good discount. Enco is a great place for good stuff. I have only done a very little business with them though. We are a chemical plant so we don't use as much stuff as a machinist. Listen to Mcruff he is very knowledgeable. Sorry I couldn't help as much.:?
     
  12. Apr 9, 2010
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2006
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    1,929
    I asked this question last year. McRuff said to buy Cleveland so that is what I did.

    Other than the fact a good number of them came in individual plastic bags, I am very impressed with them. I've only cut a few threads but they are way, way eaiser to use than the Irwin POS's I've bought in the past. I bought the pointed one's from the tool company McRuff suggested. THey were 50% off and I think I spent close to $100 on all the one's from #4 to 3/4 in both course and fine thread pitch.

    I'd suggest them without hesitation. Buy 'em once and be done with it.
     
  13. Apr 9, 2010
    LarryD

    LarryD Member

    Gallup NM/ 4 Corners
    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2006
    Messages:
    637
    Lots of great info, I will check out the various sites tomow I think the reference to cleveland is what I was looking for. I have a set of taps and dies that are Vermont American. I have got lots of use from it but 90%of the use has been to chase threads and not cut new threads. I have a drill index with 1/16 to 1/2 and 60 to 1 as well as a to z. It is an inexpensive set but when 1 breaks i want to replace wilt good quality.
     
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