M14 and M16 Tap and Dies

[Snagglefoot]

I added M14 1.5 and M16 1.5 Tap and Dies to my tool box. Most run of the mill Tap and Dies sets max out at M12, comparison shown. I’ve been doing some work on 3/4 ton steering boxes and hydroboosts and wanted something this large in case I messed up a thread. They are just China made Amazon pieces. No one in town had tap and dies this large. After I got the tools Canadian Tire came out with a tap and die set that maxed out at M16, just to aggravate me.

 

[clinebarger]

GM/Saginaw systems use M16 & M18

 

[Snagglefoot]

And the mid 2000 Chevy 3/4 tons are M14 and M16 with 16 and 18 mm size flare nuts. Does that sound right?

 

[92saturnsl2]

Do you guys have Harbor Freight up there?

Several years ago I bought a metric set that goes from 6mm to 24 with coarse and fine thread. It's been a staple in my toolbox, saved my butt on many repairs. Quality is great for the price, pretty sure it was about $90 for the set, money well spent.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I never cheap out on tap and dies. Harbor Freight does have some nice ones though if you are ever in the states and visit one I recommend picking up a set. Get the set in the off white case, the small set in the blue case isn’t for automotive use it says on the package lol.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Do you guys have Harbor Freight up there?

Several years ago I bought a metric set that goes from 6mm to 24 with coarse and fine thread. It's been a staple in my toolbox, saved my butt on many repairs. Quality is great for the price, pretty sure it was about $90 for the set, money well spent.

We don’t but I can have it shipped to Eureka, Montana. Shipping across the line is too expensive ( Rock Auto does a much better job of that). Unfortunately the border is still closed to non commercial traffic. The Canadian Tire Mastercraft Set was $99 Canadian so I would have been OK if the sale was on time. They have a lifetime free replacement. Thanks for the post.

 

[Snagglefoot]

For interest sake, here are the two fittings. The thread gage says 1.5 pitch on both. Everything is back together, just wanted the die and taps around as this town is too small to get the M14 and M16 sizes. Atlas Grainger said they could get them from Toronto. Yeah, thanks. Also, Calgary is 3-1/2 hrs away.

 

[clinebarger]

And the mid 2000 Chevy 3/4 tons are M14 and M16 with 16 and 18 mm size flare nuts. Does that sound right?

The big flare nuts are M18 & the smaller flare nuts are M16.....Not sure where M14 fits into the equation?

 

[Snagglefoot]

The big flare nuts are M18 & the smaller flare nuts are M16.....Not sure where M14 fits into the equation?

Well, the wrench size is 16 and 18. Let me put a micrometer across the thread of the larger fitting. I’ll set it to 18 mm.

 

[clinebarger]

The flats of the nut are flush with the threads...So the hex size is the same as the thread diameter.

 

[Snagglefoot]

The flats of the nut are flush with the threads...So the hex size is the same the thread diameter.

Got it. Yes the top of the thread diameter is 18 mm and makes sense. I measured the base of the threads and it was 16 mm. Thanks. ( Same situation with the 14/16 mm). I’ll pick up a 18 mm set. Thanks Mr. Clinebarger. Snag.

 

[Snagglefoot]

The flats of the nut are flush with the threads...So the hex size is the same the thread diameter.

Yes, and totally different from a normal bolt head.

 

[clinebarger]

No flange....I can see that throwing you off. I do a lot of LSx swaps & Hydroboost conversions so the sizes are seared into my brain. The old SAE flare stuff was 5/8" & 11/16" which also matched the wrench/hex sizes.

 

[AutoMechanic]

No flange....I can see that throwing you off. I do a lot of LSx swaps & Hydroboost conversions so the sizes are seared into my brain. The old SAE flare stuff was 5/8" & 11/16" which also matched the wrench/hex sizes.

Now I know what takes an 11/16, excellent. I’ve only used that size once before that’s why all my 11/16 sockets and wrenches are shiny.

 

[Motu]

11/16 was common in 7/16 bolt sizes - 5/8 bolt head, 11/16 nut.

 

[MattPersman]

I never cheap out on tap and dies. Harbor Freight does have some nice ones though if you are ever in the states and visit one I recommend picking up a set. Get the set in the off white case, the small set in the blue case isn’t for automotive use it says on the package lol.

I never cheap out and HF in the same post that’s a classic HF is the definition of cheap out

 

[Number_35]

We don’t but I can have it shipped to Eureka, Montana. Shipping across the line is too expensive ( Rock Auto does a much better job of that). Unfortunately the border is still closed to non commercial traffic. The Canadian Tire Mastercraft Set was $99 Canadian so I would have been OK if the sale was on time. They have a lifetime free replacement. Thanks for the post.

Princess Auto carries a lot of the same sort of stuff, but I'm guessing your closest one might be in Calgary.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I never cheap out and HF in the same post that’s a classic HF is the definition of cheap out

Some of their stuff is nice. The taps and dies are one of those things IMO.

 

[The Critic]

Some of their stuff is nice. The taps and dies are one of those things IMO.

You're either kidding or you have never used a quality set of taps/dies.

 

[AutoMechanic]

You're either kidding or you have never used a quality set of taps/dies.

We had a Mac set at school to me the HF seems just as good only the ones with the white case though. The ones with the blue case say not for automotive use.