Reply To: Taps and die recommendation

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by Pero on 16/12/2022 06:37:23:

Thanks for that Hopper. It's one variable I hadn't considered.

As the owner of taps and dies of various origins – not always identifiable – I am used to checking the finish on die threads. The makers occasionally fail to remove the attached cuttings from the relief holes which can make threading impossible. Having off center or out of alignment dies is something else to put on the checklist.

All in all though, with modern machine tooling taking over in most of our lower priced markets, quality is getting better and better. Where it still seems most prone to failure is where multiple manual processes and assembly are operations are involved ( lathe and mill construction? ).

One thing that does confuse me is why taps generally seem to be made to a higher standard than dies.

Pero

Yes it is the one variable you would not think of. I discovered it quite by accident a few days ago. The tap and die set was one of those old small sets sold cheaply in hardware stores in the past and I think probably made in post-War Japan when their quality reputation was not what it is today. I picked it up at a garage sale and have never actually used it to cut a thread. And now probably never will!

I think taps are easier to manufacture because you can grind the external thread easier than grinding the internal thread in a small die. Just like screwcutting, easier on the outside than inside by nature.

Yes, today's cheap tooling is getting a lot better. Stuff coming direct out of China is amazingly good for the price. I figure it is surplus industrial supply for their own factories so is industrial quality, not built-down-to-a-price "hobby grade" stuff. China certainly is not leading the world in manufacturing by messing about with poor quality tooling in their factories. Time is money and good tooling saves time.