Carbon steel taps and dies

[BOB BLACKSHAW 1Participant @bobblackshaw1]

I have started to make my own water gauges and other fitments needed for my boiler that I am making.

I have some M E taps already 32 and 40 tpi HSS but need a few other sizes for threading brass.

If I but HSS its three times the price than carbon steel so now its cost as I a few more taps and dies.

My question is will the carbon taps and dies be any good just for brass, and what is the best to get 32 or 40 as the part that will fit in the bushes I have done 32 tpi. but I am not sure about the union nuts are they 32 or 40.

As the cost is going up and up it would have been cheaper to buy the fitments than making them, but I prefer to make them myself.

[BOB BLACKSHAW 1Participant @bobblackshaw1]

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

I've never had any problems with good quality CS taps and dies especially on brass. M first set of 0 to 10 BA taps & dies is now over 50 years old and maybe half a dozen have been replaced over the years.

Brian

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

Nothing wrong with carbon steel, will stay sharp for ages if only used on brass, copper and bronze. Once you have used them on steel they will not cut non ferrous as well any more. Needn’t cost a fortune, Tracy tools them singly at a couple of pounds each, many people on here have good things to say about this company. The great advantage of carbon steel is that it is easily machined with a carbide tool so you can modify your taps if required, I have one to modify this afternoon, I want an 1/8 inch diameter pilot on the front, so a simple turning job and a lick on the grinder to back off the edges and jobs done. I THINK union nuts are 32 tpi.

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Posted by BOB BLACKSHAW on 02/11/2019 12:24:41:I am not sure about the union nuts are they 32 or 40.

Yes, they are 32 or 40 depending on the pipe diameter. Usually 40 tpi for 5/32" pipe and smaller and 32 tpi for 3/16" to 3/8" pipe.

Russell

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

Nothing wrong with carbon steel but HSS is much better imo. Have you tried looking on ebay for new old stock? You can sometimes pick up top quality presto, dormer, guhring etc for about the same price as carbon. 😉

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