Recommend a good tap and die set

[93Bandit]

Hopefully this is an appropriate topic for this section.

It's time to upgrade my tap and die set. I bought a cheapy set from O'Reilly when I was in a pinch and it does OK but the results are hit or miss, and it doesn't have all the sizes I need.

I'd like a nice set, I'm ok with spending some money if it's worth it. I'd like as many sizes as possible, metric and standard. Mostly need for small engine and automotive work, so I don't think I'd need anything bigger than 1/2" or so. If a set comes with sizes greater than 1/2" that's ok as long as I get all the smaller sizes too.

I've watched some reviews on YouTube of various popular brands, craftsman, Irwin, Bosch, gear wrench etc. The craftsman 75pc set seems to be the highest quality of those brands for the money. At this point I'm leaning towards the craftsman, but would like to hear opinions from the other gearheads on here.

Thanks!

 

[zuluwiz]

As a retired machinist, I would say to buy American-made cutting tools. You'll pay more, but quality costs.

 

[93Bandit]

As a retired machinist, I would say to buy American-made cutting tools. You'll pay more, but quality costs.

Can you recommend some brands?

 

[bitzz]

R&N, Union Butterfield or my fav SKF/DORMER (not US made... but neither am I)
An industrial supplier will have a house brand, made in asia, and a decent brand, NOT made is asia... BUY THE DECENT BRAND.

... and you probably don't need a " set". Buy #1, 2 and 3 taps in the sizes you NEED. You will never use a 9mm x 1.0, but a 10 x 1.0 bottoming tap (which doesn't come in a "set") comes in handy.

 

[Nessism]

HSS is much better than carbon steel for cutting tools. Most all the cheap sets are carbon steel.

 

[sacruickshank]

I've had an Irwin set for a few years now and it suits my needs just fine. Sure there are plenty of sizes I don't need, but it has most of the ones I do need. I think I've had to buy two extra sizes, one for spark plugs and one M12 or M14 for cleaning out 15 year old under carriage threads so I could mount a trailer hitch

 

[storm 64]

Mundy Township Michigan. Located between Flint and Detroit. Bandit, you are centered in about the biggest tool capital in the world.
What I would do is go to your local Industrial Supply store. It may have a sign saying No Retail Sales. But if you have cash and know what you want it's usually not a problem. They sell quality tools. No Tool and Die shop is going to buy crap tooling.
Build your collection slowly. When you need a tap, go buy it.
OSG brand is what we've been using lately... They seem to snap just as easy as the other brands.