Tap and Die sets

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: jcwit
I'm a firm beliver in value for money spent. This comes from being in procurement for a Fortune 500 company negotiating contracts in the millions. Its true you get what you pay for and at times MUCH more than you pay for. For your painting business do you supply your company with LandRovers?




I supply them with the best equipment for the job at hand. The hammer, and screw driver I mentioned are incidentals to my business, and their quality is not reflected in the finished product. When it comes to brushes and rollers they get the best. What does a Land Rover have to do with painting? I have a nice clean, safe work vehicle, that I am proud to park in front of a customers house.

I've always viewed tap and die sets as precision tools, I'd want something good, no matter how little use the tool gets. JMO

 

[davefr]

Quote:

There is nothing to plead, their return policy is No Questions Asked. A quick search of their web site would let you know this.


They will probably ask one question. "Where's your receipt" in order to prove you bought it from them

Quote:
Not all of us need the expensive tools. Plus the fact living on a VA disability doesn't leave lots of money to blow on tools, and I'm not earning my living with them.
It all depends on what you need and budget.


I don't need expensive tools either. That's why I buy high quality like SK, Snap On, Klein, etc. The most expensive tools I ever bought were from HF because they quickly made their way into the garbage can. I bought most of my SK socket/wrenches when I was a kid decades ago. (ie when they were SK Wayne). At the time they were expensive but they've served me very well.

I'd never buy a HF torque wrench. Once you snap off those studs it'll be costly and time consuming to replace them.

Quote:
I will on occasion buy HF screw drivers, or hammers for my painting business.


That's probably OK. They might be good enough to open cans of paint. If they get lost of stolen it's not a great loss.

 

[jcwit]

Then you do not have the high class, quality, better than any other painter in town, vehicle. Might it not be a Chevy, Ford, or Dodge? Oh ya those are low price with high quality.

You've described H/F in a word that is unexceptable here, calling there products junk, and cheap. These discriptions are subjective, what may be cheap or junk to one person may be just the thing for the next.

But feel however you wish on this subject, and check out the LandRover's during your Christmas break.

Merry Christmas and then have a Happy Holiday over New Years.

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: davefr
Quote:

There is nothing to plead, their return policy is No Questions Asked. A quick search of their web site would let you know this.


They will probably ask one question. "Where's your receipt" in order to prove you bought it from them


Thats not how it worked for me the one time I used their No Questions Asked policy. Took it in, explained the problem and was refunded my money. Short & Sweet.

 

[jcwit]

I don't need expensive tools either. That's why I buy high quality like SK, Snap On, Klein, etc. The most expensive tools I ever bought were from HF because they quickly made their way into the garbage can. I bought most of my SK socket/wrenches when I was a kid decades ago. (ie when they were SK Wayne). At the time they were expensive but they've served me very well.

I'd never buy a HF torque wrench. Once you snap off those studs it'll be costly and time consuming to replace them.

Regarding the Torque Wrench, my post said I've used it 3 times in 2 years and only to rotate tires. Not exactly rought handling, and even if perchance the studs "whatever they are" broke, why oh why would I try to get it fixed? Return it for a new one works for me, and not making a special trip just the next time I'm in that part of town, not really a big deal.

Also as I stated, I'm 66 years old, just why would I want to pay $100 plus bucks for a torque wrench "this is an example" that is going to see very limited use, plus the fact its not likely I'm going to be around forever, seems like my lifetime is getting shorter day by day. I really don't plan to buy tools for my kids. No more than my firearm collection is for my kids.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: jcwit
Then you do not have the high class, quality, better than any other painter in town, vehicle. Might it not be a Chevy, Ford, or Dodge? Oh ya those are low price with high quality.

You've described H/F in a word that is unexceptable here, calling there products junk, and cheap. These discriptions are subjective, what may be cheap or junk to one person may be just the thing for the next.

But feel however you wish on this subject, and check out the LandRover's during your Christmas break.

Merry Christmas and then have a Happy Holiday over New Years.



Never used the word junk, perhaps you have me mixed up with someone else:

Here are my comments.


Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. I tried HF tools, and was disappointed. I'll spend a little more and get Craftsman Tools, for the money I found you can't beat them for a DIY'er. I will on occasion buy HF screw drivers, or hammers for my painting business. Basically all we do is remove switch plates and household things with them, or reset nails in sheetrock with the hammers. If we ruin one of forget it on the job it is less upsetting.


Then this:

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I supply them with the best equipment for the job at hand. The hammer, and screw driver I mentioned are incidentals to my business, and their quality is not reflected in the finished product. When it comes to brushes and rollers they get the best. What does a Land Rover have to do with painting? I have a nice clean, safe work vehicle, that I am proud to park in front of a customers house.

I've always viewed tap and die sets as precision tools, I'd want something good, no matter how little use the tool gets. JMO


No use of the word junk or cheap.



Originally Posted By: jcwit
Then you do not have the high class, quality, better than any other painter in town, vehicle. Might it not be a Chevy, Ford, or Dodge? Oh ya those are low price with high quality.

You've described H/F in a word that is unexceptable here, calling there products junk, and cheap. These discriptions are subjective, what may be cheap or junk to one person may be just the thing for the next.

But feel however you wish on this subject, and check out the LandRover's during your Christmas break.

Merry Christmas and then have a Happy Holiday over New Years.



As far as vehicles, mine is unique, it is 1988 Ford in MINT condition and not one drop of paint on it. It shows people how neat I am and how I care for my equipment, and their homes. I'm probably one of the most expensive painters in town, even in these bad times. I won't cut quality, I'm not for everyone and I don't want to be. [Like some higher priced tools, they are not for everyone, but I feel they have their value to ME] I want to work for people who want a top quality job, and are willing to pay for it, by referrals only. The formula has worked for close to 30 years. I've stood the test of time, not many of my competitors can say that.

Have a Happy and Healthy Holiday season!

PS funny how a tap and die set thread took on a whole new life. Sorry, I'm just trying to clear the air here.

 

[jcwit]

In reading your last sentence I think "know" you're right. Its time for all of us to lean back and take a deep breath and be thankful for the Health and happiness we have, and not get all wrapped up in Harbor Freight, or Wal/Mart for that matter.

May we all Have a Very Merry Christmas and then A Happy Holiday over New Years, and a safe and prosperous New Year.

 

[demarpaint]

Back at ya!

 

[davefr]

Originally Posted By: jcwit
May we all Have a Very Merry Christmas and then A Happy Holiday over New Years, and a safe and prosperous New Year.


Yes, and same to you!!!

 

[benjamming]

Originally Posted By: jcwit
Quote:


(read: why their business expanded).


Where do you find that? What happened to Yugo?

BTW Do you shop at WalMart, AKA China Mart?

To the OP Buy the Ace Hanson or Greenfield. And be sure you buy a set of Numbered & Letter drills for correct size when tapping.


No, I don't shop at Walmart.
I'm not following your first two questions.

 

[jcwit]

This discussion turned out on the high road for me and another, and I'm dropping any further comments.. Nuff said!

 

[Michael_P]

Not a problem on the side comments. I enjoyed them all and that's what I find cool about this site. It's good to hear all opinions from all sides. I have narrowed my search to either HSS or Tungsten. I emailed Northern and their tungsten set they have for sale is comparable to HSS. I just wanted to see what you all thought about this set (see link). The customer reviews from a few professionals seem to be very good. I was going to buy a 90 piece HSS Facom set for $400, but that turned out to be a scam. When I have to tap stainless, I'll just buy an individual tap H4 HSS intended for stainless. Most of the steel I will be tapping would be mild, 1018 or 4130. With aluminum, I can use any old junk. As to the HF sets they are all labeled as alloy or as I call mystery metal, so I will steer clear from this.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_34591_34591

 

[davefr]

If it helps you any, MSC is having a sale thru 12/24. Enter WEB30 in the discount code section and they'll take 30% off the price for orders over $149.

 

[AcuraTech]

No need to flame here. Just keep it respectful. Some people have no use for expensive tools they use once a year.

That being said, there are only a handful of things I'll buy at HF.

The reason I see them becoming so popular as of late is:

1. Obviously the stuff they sell is cheaper than dirt, which by itself attracts people

2. Due to the prevalence of McJobs and cubicle farms, not many people are familiar with fixing things anymore. The average American couldn't tell you the correct usage for a claw hammer, let alone if the tool itself is a quality item or not. They've probably never even held a well made tool, so how do they know if it's good or not. Eye strain has become the new calluses in the modern US.

 

[Crashbox]

The OP's question is a very good one and I am also curious as to what's best out there today in the tap and die realm...

For the record, I very seldom use taps and dies but they are truly indispensable when you need them. I have a small-ish Hanson set that I bought at Ernst Hardware many years ago and also a Credo set that Costco had in stock very briefly some years back. Both have served me fine for the little usage they see.

I saw the Greenfield name mentioned- I wonder if it's the same company that makes (made?) flexible metallic electrical conduit which is sometimes referred to as "Greenfield"??? If so, I would bet their tap and die sets are some of the better-quality ones but JMO...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of the BITOG family.

 

[Tempest]

I bought a good sized Craftsman tap and die set about 10 years ago and have been happy with them. These are made in USA. Not sure if the current sets are USA though.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Crashbox,

Greenfield Tap and Die Company is not the same as the one that makes electrical equipment (are you thinking about Greenlee?). If you can find some of the old Butterfield taps sets or Greenfield tap sets, you will have some of the best ever made.

Right below them would be your Hanson taps or Vermont American that are made in the USA. Word is the new VA taps are made overseas.

An option that some guys use is to buy a cheaper set and replace the taps that they use most often with HSS taps from Greenfield on an as needed basis. That way you only pay for the good taps that you need and still have one in sizes you rarely use if needed. Note that taps are for blind holes, thru holes and whether you are tapping Aluminum, SS, carbon steel, plastic, etc.

Dies are rarely used unless you are into restoring older machinery or making custom bolts.