JOIN OUR EXCLUSIVE PROJECT SUPPORT GROUP With WEEKLY GROUP CALLS For Coaching On Farm Equipment Repair, Welding & Metal Fabrication! Its An Affordable, And Easy Skill-Building Program With Only A 1 Month Minimum! Learn About The Program Here: ua-cam.com/video/LbxxZ4l9LnU/v-deo.html Join The Project Support Group Here: www.patreon.com/OWFA/membership
I've bought a bunch of tools and equipment from HFT (e.g. I purchased an elex jack hammer to break the floor slab in my basement). Extremely satisfied. I don't use tools daily like the pros do, so their performance and price are perfect for me.
May I suggest you get a "Tap Follower" it will make sure you are tapping straight. After drilling the hole leave the part where it is and swap the drill for the Tap Follower and you will be sure you are tapping straight.
Agree completely. It, of course, depends if the tap has the center drill hole for the follower to align the rear of the tap. At least, that all of the ones I've used so taps under 3/8" can't be used with our followers. Probably 90% of broken taps I've seen are the result of the tap not being in line with the bored/drilled hole. (Or some guy using a high torque Milwaukee Holeshooter drill motor out in the field for a 10-32). For a lot of our small size tapping operations, we used the milling machine and gun taps (2 or 3 flute depending upon the diameter). We'd avoid 4 flute taps for anything 1/2" or under because the web cross section gets a bit small on some taps. We loved the gun taps and started going to a lot of cobalt taps... those things are pretty tough. I do have to admit that the quality of a lot of Harbor Freight tools have improved over the last 25 years. I started buying impact sockets years ago for industrial work and never saw a failure. I used their Quinn chrome sockets for normal stuff also without failure. And, we prefer the Tapmagic formula even though it's a bit messier than the formula 25 years ago with, what was it, trichloroethane?
I should have added... I've seen a lot of broken gun taps IF people run them down into a blind hole of insufficient depth for all of the curlicues that the tap pushes to the bottom of the hole.
I've had a set since about 2005. Used them in a shipyard as an outside machinist for 15 years. Broke one early on, the #12 screw tap I think. My own fault. All in all, they have been an excellent set. No problems. Work great
In all my years working on a shop floor, machine shop and in automotive, I've only ever broken one tap and surprisingly it was a 5/8. It's called patience.
As someone who uses small diameter, the patience they would require to not break taps would be unattainable,lol, it’d take a week to finish an 1/8” deep hole……
I'm a Gunsmith and the HF carbon tap and die set is one of those pro secrets in the Gunsmithing world. Pure carbon taps are kinda hard to find. We like to use carbon taps because if you were to break one off in a gun you can just hit the broken tap piece with a hard center punch and it will shatter into small pieces. Then you can use a dental pick or something to pick the pieces out and you have removed the broken tap without harming the finish on the gun. The gold coated taps and other fancy alloy taps won't shatter like the carbon ones will and are much harder to get out especially without screwing up the gun and causing yourself a lot more work!
yeah nothing worse than scrapping a part due to the addition of a piece of super hard broken tap debris, or worse as Mr. Case points out, what if you can't just scrap it and make a new one, you MUST fix it no matter what? I've had to deal with that a few times and it can be a huge time sink. Bottom line, if you are tapping by hand ( unassisted by a mill or drill press set up for proper start alignment) and the material being tapped will be ruined by a broken tap, use a carbon steel tap.
I bought a big set, metal box, at an auction - cheap! None had ever been used. I was quite surprised how well they worked. Quick cuts, and guaranteed for life.
Widia Tools tap and die sets can't be beat. Their HSS versions are damn near like carbide. I'll never buy cheap taps and dies ever again. The problem with cheap taps and dies is that they rarely get the relief angles correct, and this makes you apply more torque than necessary, making you prone to break them.
Sorry I’m just finding your new channel now. I used to watch you all time, even before you moved to Texas, and am glad to see that you are still on UA-cam. I always wondered, is your electric bill crazy high from all of the welding? 😂
I have the Pittsburg set with both sae and metric in one kit but these individual kits have much larger sizes. For 70$ can’t beat ‘em. I tap mostly 4 and 6mm x1.25 cylinder heads in 2 strokes. Have you ever heli-coiled a stripped thread that was originally sae to accept a metric bolt? I know is sounds redundant but it was the fix that saved the day
I haven’t seen you for a long time. I was thinking about you because of some cutting discs that you were talking about one time. You liked them very much because they lasted a long time.
I bought the Metric set a few years ago because I couldn't find the Metric size in stock at any other brick and mortar store and paid full price out of necessity(was my first purchase from HF as well) I grew up in a shop of Snap on and Mac tools and wasn't expecting much as HF is always the butt of a joke. I was super impressed on the quality for a $90 set and was hard enough to retap threads for a Hyandai Crankshaft bolt. Money will spent!!
ChuckE I wondered where you went! Good to see you back after all these years. Your welding videos were always well done and very educational. I subscribed again.
Dude yeah! I did too! I totally love that one video of the trailer you made for your welder and tools; that green beast! Do you think you can put that video on this one? I wanna watch it again if you have it. No worries if you can’t. Awesome to follow you again! 💪🏻
As a home owner, doing odd jobs around my house, I love HF tools! Since I am only using the tools a few times a year and they hold up fine for what I need. Sorry, but I am not willing to spend money on a top dollar, big name brand, for a tool that I will be using infrequently. If I was using tools, everyday, as my lively hood, I would be more selective. Then again, I see many mechanics using HF tools in their careers, so they know what to look for more than I do. HF has their place in the tool world.
HF is great for what you and I do. Work around the house. You don't need a hundred dollar tool to do the job a 10 dollar tool will work. I also go to garage sales, to find tools too.
Good set for chasing damaged threads, okay set for occasional use, f'n junk for someone who depends or cares about a good job or frequent use. If you use tap and die on a regular basis you need to bite the bullet and buy quality made taps and dies. Usually American made. Believe me, there's a reason why one good tap or die might cost as much as a whole set at harbor freight. Just my opinion, let me know if you agree.
@@dreuaustin Don't listen about american made, that's such a mindless zombie mindset. Look up the UA-cam Project Farms Tap and die set video. He finds you the best tools, compares them and everything.
@@midnight2moonlight200 Agree, there some great foreign made tools and some junky American made tools. Quality determined by the manufacturers spec and quality control and not country of origin.
Have a set of Harbor Freight metric tap & dies and have as much confidence they will last the rest of my life just as I have my 40-year-old set of Craftsman SAE taps & dies. The older you get the less it matters for example anyone in their 90's would certainly be able say time is in their favor regarding any set purchased.
One the most handy tools I've bought from HF as well! I refuse to wire wheel bolts because IMO this ruins them and parts washer doesn't always clean them satisfactorily but running them through these dies with a little light oil, works a charm.
I have the SAE set, and I'm impressed with it. For the price, it's a really good set. I noticed that mine aren't as sharp as more expensive taps, but that just requires a little more time per hole. Haven't broken one yet after over a year of regular use in my shop.
HF has things you just have to know what your buying. I’ve got a friend who has a successful transmission repair shop he uses HF tools all the time swears by them, so really it’s what your comfortable with.
I'm a heavy truck mechanic and because of my tools being stolen most of my tools are now HF and I've had very little problems and you can't beat the warranty. Walk in with a broken tool, walk out 5 minutes later with a new one.
It's a sad and uncomfortable subject, but man, sometimes you've gotta get the job done and you need the tools - no matter where they come from. I'm just a home-gamer and I don't make my living off of my tools, so when I bought an engine hoist - I simply couldn't spend the extra $400 for a US-made product. Especially one as stupidly simple as an engine hoist. I just got one from the overseas Junkatorium, replaced all the crappy bolts with US Grade 8 fasteners and got working.
Okay let's put this in perspective I don't use a tap and die set unless it's absolutely necessary I need something that will work and not break because the part is worth way more ...so I don't use cheap H F China junk
@@marktarascio4766 You'd be surprised how much of HF's "china junk" is just rebranded contractors (Chinese and American) for big name stuff. Floor jacks are a fairly famous one, presses, tool boxes, a ton of their hand tools. Wrenches, hammers, axes, sockets. If you're not going for power tools HF really isn't the worst stop. But to each their own.
@@Alconium LOL, it's more like the other way around, a lot of the big name stuff is just the same stuff out of the same factories in China, with a different company name stamped/laser etched on it.
@@marktarascio4766 The whole point of the video is that a dude uses it in a commercial shop and it works and doesn't break parts. It stands to reason it would do even better with your occasional use. Perspective-wise, you're looking through the wrong end of the binoculars.
I have both SAE and metric in these sets and can’t praise them enough. Never tried the HF cheaper sets, but these are definitely worth their weight in gold. I use them mostly for automotive and ag use and they are great. If you’re a professional machinist you’ll probably want something more precise, but for Joe average, they’re the bomb. Great video, thanks! 👍
I've been really happy with mine. No problems. Suggestion Review some u-tube vids that have suggestions on improving your audio. Should be pretty easy to up the quality.
I have a set of Greenlee tap and dies from the the 50’s. Once while out of town and I needed a one time use of several taps and dies sizes I bought the HF 29 piece set that was 20 years ago. I have had good luck with it the HF set. The Greenlee set is in a wood box and is in excellent shape so I have a tendency to go the HF set in the blow mold case. Just to preserve the wood case. I have never tapped or ran a die test comparing the two sets for thread tolerance. But so far the HF have done the job for me many times.😁🛫
Grasshopper has not yet learned the ways of power tapping in the drill press or vertical mill. Drill hole to 60 percent, swap drill for tap, jog machine to start and continue to tap, and since it’s a thru-hole, it’s easier to stop. Fewer broken taps and square tapping because you haven’t moved the work. In ductile materials like mild steels, aluminum, brass, etc., use forming taps; not cutting taps. These have different tap drills so make sure you are looking at the correct tap drill chart. You might want to invest in a tapping table.
A grandpa had big laminated charts in his shop for a few different sizing and conversations. Him and his brothers started build well drilling rigs and now there is qt least 5 different welldrilling companies that are operating today all because of my grandpa and his brothers. Made tools better then anyone around and thats why.
I've been using both the metric and SAE sets for over 15 years. They don't get real heavy use and they're mostly still good. I really like the dies which are adjustable to cut harder metals a bit at a time, or for fine control of depth of thread. I rarely, but not never, use the larger sizes, nice to know they're in the shop.
I bought this very set in Santa Clara, CA, around 2012, and to my astonishment, my friend and I found that the pitches for quite a few of the common SAE sizes were off! Was verified both with sample bolts and a pitch gague. That's especially astounding, considering that, even assuming being manufactured abroad (Taiwan, China, wherever), *length* is one of the few entities for which there is an exact conversion between metric and English units. So - - if you don't have the pitch right in a tap, it's not much of a tap. There's no curing that. I had to return it, and made quite an overture to the manager that he needed to do more than just smile and refund my purcase: he needed to get to the bottom of how a tool product got through 5 or 6 different stages of manufacturing, testing, packaging, shipping, distribution, etc., without ANYBODY ever checking the taps with a frickin' pitch gauge! To be fair, from the other comments, it seems he might have actually followed through on that, and perhaps they finally straightened it out.
The super-cheap sets and the $90 sets are a much different size range and therefore are complementary. I recently gave the cheap sets away after replacing them with the ICON sets which are also in the smaller range. SFSG.
I bought a HF T&D black oxide set in the late 80's, and it still works. I actually had picking up another set on today's to-do list, maybe upgrade to this titanium nitride kit
I think it's hit or miss with these. Even within the same item number there's pretty big variability. Hardness, cutting edges, finish never know what you're gonna get.
That's how HF is. Minimum quality control apparently. But a no questions no hassle return policy makes up for it. Unless you have a long drive to the nearest HF or a time critical/ mission critical need.
I had bought a small tap and die set from HF, I think like all under 1/2" around 30 years ago for only around $20. It was a 40 some part kit . I used it at least a 100 times and only one die broke a tooth and just made it a bit harder to start, but other than that, it really held up. I really put the 1/4" tap and die though alot of theading and it held up. Someone stold the set a from me a year or two ago and will be going with another from HF. Most other companies I've seen want like 3-4 time the price so the only reason I can see to do that is if used every day, but than again, you could have three or four of each instead of one, so even then???
I've had good results from most of the Pittsburg tools I've tried, their ICON line seems like an improvement, but not WAY better, although it is a bit more money. Not sure if they offer tap and die sets from both brands. I'll have to look. :)
I decided to give the Icon stuff a try. Ratchets/sockets in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive. Been over a year now. They've seen heavy use at home and at work (industrial maintenance tech) and I have been very happy with what I got for my money. Haven't hurt the ratchets or sockets. Broke my 5mm allen socket in 3/8 drive but that sucker saw more abuse than it deserved.
Harbor Freight for some things. Looks like these will work out for you and you got the endorsement from your bud which helped you out with this decision.
I still use my old set from the 70s. It is a lisle set. Also have a snap on set. That's about 30 years old. Both are metric. Have a few sae but dont use them much. So maybe if I need more I might look into this. But if a commonly used one goes bad I would replace it with a better quality one. But to really work these, I would be seriously cautious.
You did a video years ago with mechanic Steve and was singing the praises of this set and I went and bought it after that video... I have had it for years and I can't complain it's a good set
I picked this set up a few months ago. I am happy with the quality of the taps themselves, but the small tap handle (the collar-and-sleeve with sliding torque bar) is terrible. Even after tightening down the collar onto the sleeve using pliers, the smooth tube of the sleeve would not grab the square head of the tap well enough to keep it from slipping about half way through. I picked up an inexpensive Irwin tap driver to use, and have been very happy with it so far.
Ive used both sets for about 3 years, and have been happy with them. The case in the other hand is another story. I'm going to build a wooden case for them most likely.
Haha I wish it was easy to source new cases for cheap tools, I get that too where a plastic hinge breaks off or a latch goes bye bye and it's usually really hard to rig something up like a real hinge.
The harbor freight tap and die sets are not very good, they have VERY poor quality control. But if u do get a set that is machined correctly, they r not bad. But each set I have at least one or two of the taps have leftover machining burrs on the cutting edges, poor quality control...
Such a biased review. That loose bolt in those threads are horrible. That's due to the incorrect tolerance on that tap. That thing can only hold maybe 30% of it's intended force now
They taught us in machine shop class that cast iron need no lubricant as the graphite content provides the lube. I worked in a production machine shop and after a shift working on cast iron parts, my clothes everything around me were covered with cast iron dust. Nice sets.
Then a little bit of oil would keep the dust down. If that dust is getting all over your clothes then it is getting into you lungs as well. While the iron might be absorbed by your body for use in your red blood cells I do not think there is a minimum daily amount of graphite recommended for good health.
I would caution people to buy a set of chasers so if you have a buggered nut or bolt you can run the chaser down to make the threads usable rather than retapping the bolt or nut which I was told cuts new threads in the old threads and can weaken the bolt. You also can't miss if you buy a set of thread pitch gauges that will tell you what the threads per inch are and a set of thread files so if you have a bolt somebody hit with a hammer you can file the threads to fix them so you can remove the nut. Might be looking into these since they are easier to remove if they break off and so my friends can use them instead of my expensive set that came with files and gauges :)
Thanks for posting this. I am currently building a tool list for a rental and automotive repair shop I'm buying. Hadn't thought about tap and dies yet, so 👍 If I may, the ease in which the tap cut, and the slop when you threaded the bolt in, indicates you used too big of a drill bit. I lost count of how many times you said "like", or "kinda", etc... For us old guys who enjoy watching younger people do real shit with their hands, this is painfully annoying. Just saying 😉
He's tapping nodular cast iron, which is soft AF and dusty, and requires no lubricant. You could practiaclly thread it with a wooden tap. I would not use one of those taps in tool steel like A2 or S7 though, unless it was a size I didn't have a better tap in. Likely to blunt and bind the tap.
Bought the same sets from a roving tool sale guy out of Virginia 6-8 years ago in red plastic cases. Carried them on my F-550 service truck working on Komatsu Equipment and have never broken one of them but like in your Vid the cases are crap!!! My one issue with them is the accuracy of the sizes is a few thousands off. Chasing threads on bolts or adding extra thread length I find the threads don't quite match in size. Other than that I love these sets.
I bought a set from Harbor Freight several years ago. As long as you just use them to chase existing threads they are fine. Don’t try to cut threads in a new hole or you will break it almost every time. I have been a master mechanic for 30 years so I kinda know what I am talking about.
Thread chasers have a very different geometry compared to cutting taps, the first ones "push" the threads back into shape. A mechanic will typically just repair threads, a fabricator or machinist will cut new ones
I agree. Broke a 3/8 course in an engine block with very little pressure. I've been doing this for 55 plus years.( I'm 72 ) Get a Blue Point set if you're going to actually tap a hole. The Dick that said you didn't know what you're doing is probably a newby and a dumb one at that.
what's nice about sets like this is that even if a tap goes bad, you can buy a better one and put it in the set. Most of those won't be used very often so the set will last a long time. I have done that with sockets and drill bits.
Repeat after me: "High Speed Steel" for taps and dies -- Nothing else. Marked "HSS" on the shank of the tap. They are much more expensive than the carbon steel junk tools are.
100% - look at the tap in the video after one use - no more Titanium Nitride (not where it matters). Why people are fooled by this gold coloured coating is utterly beyond me.
The only pure junk HF tool I ever bought was a drill master drill. Switch died after about 10 uses. Bought 6 #2 Phillips heads for my kids. Always doing a project and could never find a #2. Bought one for myself I liked it so well.
Hobo Freight actually does have a lot of very good tools. They just aren't as clean and refined as the expensive 💩.. calipers have been great, they're just dirty from not being cleaned up and polished from the manufacturer.. I use the $20 Hobo Freight all the time, the $250 big name brands are in the drawer...
large tap handles are garbage there just alum centers the best thing would be tapping alum with the larger tapes the smaller taps it can handle ok i snapped that tap handle using a 1inch tap it lasted for a short bit and it cave way .
Taps and dies are decent buy the tap wrench and die wrench is made of pot metal which is crap. The black area of those two tend to break easily. So buy a couple good tap & die wrenches and you’re set
I have used the higher priced Harbors Frieght taps and drill bits in CNC machines on multiple occasions when what I needed wasn't available in the tool crib. If they're used correctly, they work very well and resharpen well also.
I've been using HF tap and dies for years in both SAE and metric. Over 15 years none of the components has failed. That's a testimony to their strength. I got them on sale at the time so I bought both sets. Mine came in a little tighter cases.
I bought a similar SAE/Metric combo set in smaller sizes than shown (I believe they are 1/2” and under) and have used it a number of times. It’s worked fine except that the tap wrench loosens easily during use and slips off the tap just as yours did.
Everything I ever bought from Harbor freight broke. When a 3/8 or 7/16 allen wrench shatered like glass cutting my hand and shooting shards out in all directions, I stopped dealing with them entirely. But hey....... to each their own. Maybe I was just lucky. Lol
I got the exact same sae kit from Amazon and I have great luck with it but the metric set I got is a 110 piece kit from Amazon and it literally has every size you can think of I mainly use them to clean threads on my rig but what I do wanna try is harbor freight's NPT kit it only has 8 pieces 4 male 4 female but really that's all I would ever need
My dad has this same set in SAE. We just used it to redo the threads in two of his clevises that got damaged. One was 1" the other was a little smaller. It worked excellent.
Starting taps especially in cast iron and aluminum you might like the results of starting the tap with your drill press. Power off! Hand turn the chuck with moderate to heavy down pressure for larger taps. After a couple of full threads revert to the tap handle. Straight start every time. Number one cause for breaking a tap is crooked start.
They look exactly like my Nieko set. Probably came out of the same factory. I've had them for 8 or 9 years, I don't use them all the time but I haven't managed to break one yet.
I bought both metric and fractional sets, we’re on sale, couldn’t pass them up! First time I used one, the die holder handle broke like it was made out of cast zinc! What crap!
i got their smaller sets and i have to say i would feel like a pos if i gave them away. you can see all the burs left from when they were cut and to top it off when i needed a 3mm tap the other day i got out my set and i dont know whet they are, maybe 4mm or 10/32 but not 3mm. i was off to the ace hardware to buy a tap just like before i bought the hft junk. dont get me wrong hft makes some ok stuff but DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THEIR 40 PIECE TAP AND DIE SETS. or their dowling jig. two of the items that actually do not work as designed.
I use these on 3d prints. Often I just make a hole without threads, ser my wall count to 4 and then tap the plastic. It works better than a 3d printed thread, much stronger.
I bought the metric set from Harbor Freight because it was literally the only place that had the size I needed. I thought I'd just use the set once or twice, but I'm a professional automotive mechanic. Brought them into the shop thinking I would destroy them in 3 months or less. 5 or 6 years of hard use later I've only worn out 1 or 2, and I was tapping *really* hard metal that would've eaten up just about any tap. I need a new driver, the steel in that finally squished so it needs replacement. But most of the taps and dies have held up fine.
JOIN OUR EXCLUSIVE PROJECT SUPPORT GROUP With WEEKLY GROUP CALLS For Coaching On Farm Equipment Repair, Welding & Metal Fabrication! Its An Affordable, And Easy Skill-Building Program With Only A 1 Month Minimum!
Learn About The Program Here: ua-cam.com/video/LbxxZ4l9LnU/v-deo.html
Join The Project Support Group Here: www.patreon.com/OWFA/membership
I've bought a bunch of tools and equipment from HFT (e.g. I purchased an elex jack hammer to break the floor slab in my basement). Extremely satisfied. I don't use tools daily like the pros do, so their performance and price are perfect for me.
“Snooky-like” My word of the day! 3:21
May I suggest you get a "Tap Follower" it will make sure you are tapping straight. After drilling the hole leave the part where it is and swap the drill for the Tap Follower and you will be sure you are tapping straight.
Agree completely. It, of course, depends if the tap has the center drill hole for the follower to align the rear of the tap. At least, that all of the ones I've used so taps under 3/8" can't be used with our followers. Probably 90% of broken taps I've seen are the result of the tap not being in line with the bored/drilled hole. (Or some guy using a high torque Milwaukee Holeshooter drill motor out in the field for a 10-32). For a lot of our small size tapping operations, we used the milling machine and gun taps (2 or 3 flute depending upon the diameter). We'd avoid 4 flute taps for anything 1/2" or under because the web cross section gets a bit small on some taps. We loved the gun taps and started going to a lot of cobalt taps... those things are pretty tough. I do have to admit that the quality of a lot of Harbor Freight tools have improved over the last 25 years. I started buying impact sockets years ago for industrial work and never saw a failure. I used their Quinn chrome sockets for normal stuff also without failure. And, we prefer the Tapmagic formula even though it's a bit messier than the formula 25 years ago with, what was it, trichloroethane?
I should have added... I've seen a lot of broken gun taps IF people run them down into a blind hole of insufficient depth for all of the curlicues that the tap pushes to the bottom of the hole.
@@mcgeorgerl you are correct, I just assumed it was a given. And that we are not handholding children.
I've had a set since about 2005. Used them in a shipyard as an outside machinist for 15 years. Broke one early on, the #12 screw tap I think. My own fault. All in all, they have been an excellent set. No problems. Work great
In all my years working on a shop floor, machine shop and in automotive, I've only ever broken one tap and surprisingly it was a 5/8. It's called patience.
As someone who uses small diameter, the patience they would require to not break taps would be unattainable,lol, it’d take a week to finish an 1/8” deep hole……
I'm a Gunsmith and the HF carbon tap and die set is one of those pro secrets in the Gunsmithing world. Pure carbon taps are kinda hard to find. We like to use carbon taps because if you were to break one off in a gun you can just hit the broken tap piece with a hard center punch and it will shatter into small pieces. Then you can use a dental pick or something to pick the pieces out and you have removed the broken tap without harming the finish on the gun. The gold coated taps and other fancy alloy taps won't shatter like the carbon ones will and are much harder to get out especially without screwing up the gun and causing yourself a lot more work!
are you talking about the carbon steel sets they sell for $20?
@@TonyMueller Yes sir, the cheap ones! Lol!
@@JesseCase that’s a great piece of knowledge to file away for future use. Thanks!
Sweet, this is the set I have, good to know.
yeah nothing worse than scrapping a part due to the addition of a piece of super hard broken tap debris, or worse as Mr. Case points out, what if you can't just scrap it and make a new one, you MUST fix it no matter what? I've had to deal with that a few times and it can be a huge time sink. Bottom line, if you are tapping by hand ( unassisted by a mill or drill press set up for proper start alignment) and the material being tapped will be ruined by a broken tap, use a carbon steel tap.
I bought a big set, metal box, at an auction - cheap! None had ever been used. I was quite surprised how well they worked. Quick cuts, and guaranteed for life.
After ruining a few projects with cheap taps, I only buy American made three tap sets (taper, plug and bottom).
Sure, but which brand and where? I wish I could find nice sets for the most common sizes at least. Please if you have a link........
@@AlessioSangalli I've had great success with Irwin-Hanson in both metric and imperial sets.
@@georgetouliatos5972 thanks.
What makes you think Irwin-Hanson is made in the USA?
Widia Tools tap and die sets can't be beat. Their HSS versions are damn near like carbide. I'll never buy cheap taps and dies ever again. The problem with cheap taps and dies is that they rarely get the relief angles correct, and this makes you apply more torque than necessary, making you prone to break them.
Sorry I’m just finding your new channel now. I used to watch you all time, even before you moved to Texas, and am glad to see that you are still on UA-cam.
I always wondered, is your electric bill crazy high from all of the welding? 😂
UPDATE: Not even shilling, but HF is putting on a big sale this weekend and these sets are on sale for $69.99
I have the Pittsburg set with both sae and metric in one kit but these individual kits have much larger sizes. For 70$ can’t beat ‘em. I tap mostly 4 and 6mm x1.25 cylinder heads in 2 strokes. Have you ever heli-coiled a stripped thread that was originally sae to accept a metric bolt? I know is sounds redundant but it was the fix that saved the day
These are not the best, and I own both of them... They're an awesome value for the money though!
I haven’t seen you for a long time. I was thinking about you because of some cutting discs that you were talking about one time. You liked them very much because they lasted a long time.
I bought the Metric set a few years ago because I couldn't find the Metric size in stock at any other brick and mortar store and paid full price out of necessity(was my first purchase from HF as well) I grew up in a shop of Snap on and Mac tools and wasn't expecting much as HF is always the butt of a joke. I was super impressed on the quality for a $90 set and was hard enough to retap threads for a Hyandai Crankshaft bolt. Money will spent!!
Chuck, Good to see you back. I don't know why you disappeared there for a while but welding just isn't the same without you.
Got that right... Chuck made GREAT videos out of Texas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I worked in the marine field for like 20 years 25 I used to harbor freight tap and die set all the time they were
ChuckE I wondered where you went! Good to see you back after all these years. Your welding videos were always well done and very educational. I subscribed again.
Dude yeah! I did too! I totally love that one video of the trailer you made for your welder and tools; that green beast! Do you think you can put that video on this one? I wanna watch it again if you have it. No worries if you can’t. Awesome to follow you again! 💪🏻
Pretty sure this is someone re-uploading his old videos, not him
@@gorak9000 really not him? That sucks
@@gorak9000 That is bullshit. He has even released a handfull of newer videos recently. This is absolutely him.
@@johnackley3982 It is him. You got duped by someone who didn’t know and commented anyways.
As a home owner, doing odd jobs around my house, I love HF tools! Since I am only using the tools a few times a year and they hold up fine for what I need. Sorry, but I am not willing to spend money on a top dollar, big name brand, for a tool that I will be using infrequently. If I was using tools, everyday, as my lively hood, I would be more selective. Then again, I see many mechanics using HF tools in their careers, so they know what to look for more than I do. HF has their place in the tool world.
HF is great for what you and I do. Work around the house. You don't need a hundred dollar tool to do the job a 10 dollar tool will work. I also go to garage sales, to find tools too.
Good set for chasing damaged threads, okay set for occasional use, f'n junk for someone who depends or cares about a good job or frequent use. If you use tap and die on a regular basis you need to bite the bullet and buy quality made taps and dies. Usually American made. Believe me, there's a reason why one good tap or die might cost as much as a whole set at harbor freight. Just my opinion, let me know if you agree.
Is there a particular brand/set that you recommend?
@@dreuaustin Don't listen about american made, that's such a mindless zombie mindset. Look up the UA-cam Project Farms Tap and die set video. He finds you the best tools, compares them and everything.
Always good to have backups
You can see the slip in the handle when he is chasing the stripped threads
@@midnight2moonlight200 Agree, there some great foreign made tools and some junky American made tools. Quality determined by the manufacturers spec and quality control and not country of origin.
Good to see you back!
Have a set of Harbor Freight metric tap & dies and have as much confidence they will last the rest of my life just as I have my 40-year-old set of Craftsman SAE taps & dies. The older you get the less it matters for example anyone in their 90's would certainly be able say time is in their favor regarding any set purchased.
One the most handy tools I've bought from HF as well! I refuse to wire wheel bolts because IMO this ruins them and parts washer doesn't always clean them satisfactorily but running them through these dies with a little light oil, works a charm.
Especially zinc plated fasteners
Don’t wire wheel them lol
@@goinhot9133 I refuse to wire wheel bolts. So many people do this and it's cringe, all kinds of dumb stuff like this goes on in 'professional' shops.
I have the SAE set, and I'm impressed with it. For the price, it's a really good set. I noticed that mine aren't as sharp as more expensive taps, but that just requires a little more time per hole. Haven't broken one yet after over a year of regular use in my shop.
Duuuuude! So glad I found you again!
HF has things you just have to know what your buying. I’ve got a friend who has a successful transmission repair shop he uses HF tools all the time swears by them, so really it’s what your comfortable with.
I'm a heavy truck mechanic and because of my tools being stolen most of my tools are now HF and I've had very little problems and you can't beat the warranty. Walk in with a broken tool, walk out 5 minutes later with a new one.
If you want a nice tap handle the gear wrench set has some really nice handles, help for when u got less room.
It's a sad and uncomfortable subject, but man, sometimes you've gotta get the job done and you need the tools - no matter where they come from. I'm just a home-gamer and I don't make my living off of my tools, so when I bought an engine hoist - I simply couldn't spend the extra $400 for a US-made product. Especially one as stupidly simple as an engine hoist. I just got one from the overseas Junkatorium, replaced all the crappy bolts with US Grade 8 fasteners and got working.
Exactly right, probably wont last 10 years in a commercial engine shop but might last you a lifetime!
Okay let's put this in perspective I don't use a tap and die set unless it's absolutely necessary I need something that will work and not break because the part is worth way more ...so I don't use cheap H F China junk
@@marktarascio4766 You'd be surprised how much of HF's "china junk" is just rebranded contractors (Chinese and American) for big name stuff. Floor jacks are a fairly famous one, presses, tool boxes, a ton of their hand tools. Wrenches, hammers, axes, sockets. If you're not going for power tools HF really isn't the worst stop.
But to each their own.
@@Alconium LOL, it's more like the other way around, a lot of the big name stuff is just the same stuff out of the same factories in China, with a different company name stamped/laser etched on it.
@@marktarascio4766 The whole point of the video is that a dude uses it in a commercial shop and it works and doesn't break parts. It stands to reason it would do even better with your occasional use. Perspective-wise, you're looking through the wrong end of the binoculars.
I have both SAE and metric in these sets and can’t praise them enough. Never tried the HF cheaper sets, but these are definitely worth their weight in gold. I use them mostly for automotive and ag use and they are great. If you’re a professional machinist you’ll probably want something more precise, but for Joe average, they’re the bomb. Great video, thanks! 👍
the cheaper sets are absolute junk. I kept breaking taps on the cheap set. these look quite a bit better
I have a set of Pittsburgh taps for the last 15 or 20 years never a problem .
You need to let the readers/listeners know NEVER drop a tap onto concrete EVER! WOW lol
I've been really happy with mine. No problems. Suggestion Review some u-tube vids that have suggestions on improving your audio. Should be pretty easy to up the quality.
I have a set of Greenlee tap and dies from the the 50’s. Once while out of town and I needed a one time use of several taps and dies sizes I bought the HF 29 piece set that was 20 years ago. I have had good luck with it the HF set.
The Greenlee set is in a wood box and is in excellent shape so I have a tendency to go the HF set in the blow mold case. Just to preserve the wood case. I have never tapped or ran a die test comparing the two sets for thread tolerance. But so far the HF have done the job for me many times.😁🛫
Same experience on my end. Their drill index (discontinued?) was also very good for the money $100.
Grasshopper has not yet learned the ways of power tapping in the drill press or vertical mill. Drill hole to 60 percent, swap drill for tap, jog machine to start and continue to tap, and since it’s a thru-hole, it’s easier to stop. Fewer broken taps and square tapping because you haven’t moved the work. In ductile materials like mild steels, aluminum, brass, etc., use forming taps; not cutting taps. These have different tap drills so make sure you are looking at the correct tap drill chart. You might want to invest in a tapping table.
A grandpa had big laminated charts in his shop for a few different sizing and conversations. Him and his brothers started build well drilling rigs and now there is qt least 5 different welldrilling companies that are operating today all because of my grandpa and his brothers. Made tools better then anyone around and thats why.
I don’t know why everybody is saying these are good …. Cast they might work .. but in my experience these things are garbage ..
I've had my H Freight tap set for 12 years
I've been using both the metric and SAE sets for over 15 years. They don't get real heavy use and they're mostly still good. I really like the dies which are adjustable to cut harder metals a bit at a time, or for fine control of depth of thread. I rarely, but not never, use the larger sizes, nice to know they're in the shop.
I bought this very set in Santa Clara, CA, around 2012, and to my astonishment, my friend and I found that the pitches for quite a few of the common SAE sizes were off! Was verified both with sample bolts and a pitch gague. That's especially astounding, considering that, even assuming being manufactured abroad (Taiwan, China, wherever), *length* is one of the few entities for which there is an exact conversion between metric and English units.
So - - if you don't have the pitch right in a tap, it's not much of a tap. There's no curing that.
I had to return it, and made quite an overture to the manager that he needed to do more than just smile and refund my purcase: he needed to get to the bottom of how a tool product got through 5 or 6 different stages of manufacturing, testing, packaging, shipping, distribution, etc., without ANYBODY ever checking the taps with a frickin' pitch gauge!
To be fair, from the other comments, it seems he might have actually followed through on that, and perhaps they finally straightened it out.
The super-cheap sets and the $90 sets are a much different size range and therefore are complementary. I recently gave the cheap sets away after replacing them with the ICON sets which are also in the smaller range. SFSG.
I bought a HF T&D black oxide set in the late 80's, and it still works. I actually had picking up another set on today's to-do list, maybe upgrade to this titanium nitride kit
Chuky 2000 wow haven’t seen you in years !!
I think it's hit or miss with these. Even within the same item number there's pretty big variability. Hardness, cutting edges, finish never know what you're gonna get.
What makes you say that ? Have you bought multiple sets and had different results?
That's how HF is. Minimum quality control apparently. But a no questions no hassle return policy makes up for it. Unless you have a long drive to the nearest HF or a time critical/ mission critical need.
@GW Barr that's because it all made in China. Poor QC
@@justinmills3852 You can get very good QC in China too. They can also so things much cheaper though, and that's why manufacturers do that
I like the close up of the horrible looking threads.
The weakest link in that set is the Tap Wrench. They are poorly made and tend to loosen easily.
Use a tap held sturdie in a lathe to cut a Large dia thread
bolt /pipe a trick i watched 2 days ago .
Did the taps come with a drill guide to tell you what drill to use with each tap?
I bought the Craftsman sets some years ago but they are smaller (37 piece) sets.
I had bought a small tap and die set from HF, I think like all under 1/2" around 30 years ago for only around $20. It was a 40 some part kit . I used it at least a 100 times and only one die broke a tooth and just made it a bit harder to start, but other than that, it really held up. I really put the 1/4" tap and die though alot of theading and it held up. Someone stold the set a from me a year or two ago and will be going with another from HF. Most other companies I've seen want like 3-4 time the price so the only reason I can see to do that is if used every day, but than again, you could have three or four of each instead of one, so even then???
Anyone who’d steal another man’s tools deserves, and will most likely get, testicular cancer. What a 💩.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BACK??????? I was just thinking about how much I missed your channel last night.
I've had good results from most of the Pittsburg tools I've tried, their ICON line seems like an improvement, but not WAY better, although it is a bit more money. Not sure if they offer tap and die sets from both brands. I'll have to look. :)
I decided to give the Icon stuff a try. Ratchets/sockets in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive. Been over a year now. They've seen heavy use at home and at work (industrial maintenance tech) and I have been very happy with what I got for my money. Haven't hurt the ratchets or sockets. Broke my 5mm allen socket in 3/8 drive but that sucker saw more abuse than it deserved.
Harbor Freight for some things. Looks like these will work out for you and you got the endorsement from your bud which helped you out with this decision.
I still use my old set from the 70s. It is a lisle set. Also have a snap on set. That's about 30 years old. Both are metric. Have a few sae but dont use them much. So maybe if I need more I might look into this. But if a commonly used one goes bad I would replace it with a better quality one. But to really work these, I would be seriously cautious.
You did a video years ago with mechanic Steve and was singing the praises of this set and I went and bought it after that video... I have had it for years and I can't complain it's a good set
I picked this set up a few months ago. I am happy with the quality of the taps themselves, but the small tap handle (the collar-and-sleeve with sliding torque bar) is terrible. Even after tightening down the collar onto the sleeve using pliers, the smooth tube of the sleeve would not grab the square head of the tap well enough to keep it from slipping about half way through.
I picked up an inexpensive Irwin tap driver to use, and have been very happy with it so far.
i also have both sets from HF. love them
Ive used both sets for about 3 years, and have been happy with them. The case in the other hand is another story. I'm going to build a wooden case for them most likely.
Haha I wish it was easy to source new cases for cheap tools, I get that too where a plastic hinge breaks off or a latch goes bye bye and it's usually really hard to rig something up like a real hinge.
The harbor freight tap and die sets are not very good, they have VERY poor quality control. But if u do get a set that is machined correctly, they r not bad. But each set I have at least one or two of the taps have leftover machining burrs on the cutting edges, poor quality control...
Beware the gold colored HF anything. Black iron HSS works well.
Oh my... please buy a real microphone - I really wanted to watch this, but the astonishingly horrid audio drove me away within a minute.
Such a biased review. That loose bolt in those threads are horrible. That's due to the incorrect tolerance on that tap. That thing can only hold maybe 30% of it's intended force now
They taught us in machine shop class that cast iron need no lubricant as the graphite content provides the lube. I worked in a production machine shop and after a shift working on cast iron parts, my clothes everything around me were covered with cast iron dust. Nice sets.
That’s correct
Then a little bit of oil would keep the dust down. If that dust is getting all over your clothes then it is getting into you lungs as well. While the iron might be absorbed by your body for use in your red blood cells I do not think there is a minimum daily amount of graphite recommended for good health.
Total Chinese made junk. Don’t waste your money! This comment will probably get lost like the last one bdale
I would caution people to buy a set of chasers so if you have a buggered nut or bolt you can run the chaser down to make the threads usable rather than retapping the bolt or nut which I was told cuts new threads in the old threads and can weaken the bolt. You also can't miss if you buy a set of thread pitch gauges that will tell you what the threads per inch are and a set of thread files so if you have a bolt somebody hit with a hammer you can file the threads to fix them so you can remove the nut. Might be looking into these since they are easier to remove if they break off and so my friends can use them instead of my expensive set that came with files and gauges :)
Thanks for posting this. I am currently building a tool list for a rental and automotive repair shop I'm buying. Hadn't thought about tap and dies yet, so 👍
If I may, the ease in which the tap cut, and the slop when you threaded the bolt in, indicates you used too big of a drill bit.
I lost count of how many times you said "like", or "kinda", etc... For us old guys who enjoy watching younger people do real shit with their hands, this is painfully annoying. Just saying 😉
He's tapping nodular cast iron, which is soft AF and dusty, and requires no lubricant. You could practiaclly thread it with a wooden tap. I would not use one of those taps in tool steel like A2 or S7 though, unless it was a size I didn't have a better tap in. Likely to blunt and bind the tap.
Bought the same sets from a roving tool sale guy out of Virginia 6-8 years ago in red plastic cases. Carried them on my F-550 service truck working on Komatsu Equipment and have never broken one of them but like in your Vid the cases are crap!!! My one issue with them is the accuracy of the sizes is a few thousands off. Chasing threads on bolts or adding extra thread length I find the threads don't quite match in size. Other than that I love these sets.
I bought a set from Harbor Freight several years ago. As long as you just use them to chase existing threads they are fine. Don’t try to cut threads in a new hole or you will break it almost every time. I have been a master mechanic for 30 years so I kinda know what I am talking about.
Sounds like you don’t know how to use a tap.
I’m not saying they are amazing but you can definitely tap some holes with them.
Thread chasers have a very different geometry compared to cutting taps, the first ones "push" the threads back into shape. A mechanic will typically just repair threads, a fabricator or machinist will cut new ones
I agree. Broke a 3/8 course in an engine block with very little pressure. I've been doing this for 55 plus years.( I'm 72 ) Get a Blue Point set if you're going to actually tap a hole. The Dick that said you didn't know what you're doing is probably a newby and a dumb one at that.
I just watched him cut threads.
I'm A maSteR MeChaNic
Missed you buddy
Okay. I’m halfway through this video and still haven’t seen anything about reviewing the tap and die set. Time to pull the ripcord.
Amazon has 1000s of these kits too
what's nice about sets like this is that even if a tap goes bad, you can buy a better one and put it in the set. Most of those won't be used very often so the set will last a long time. I have done that with sockets and drill bits.
www.harborfreight.com/titanium-nitride-coated-alloy-steel-sae-tap-die-set-45-pc-61411.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiNTEyNjgwMTAiLCJza3UiOiI2MTQxMSIsImlzIjoiNjkuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk%0D%0AIjoiMTAzNTgifQ%3D%3D%0D%0A&V2_Engaged&uid=cb9064158665728a333a4c2e957c90be934dd1ece7d6ac4da89fbd1cae4e2ac7&infy=15056804785&bxid=15056804785&mi_u=15056804785&mi_ecmp=2022_05_27_wk2122_is_more_coupons_product_images_V2_Engaged&plcc=N
Repeat after me: "High Speed Steel" for taps and dies -- Nothing else. Marked "HSS" on the shank of the tap. They are much more expensive than the carbon steel junk tools are.
100% - look at the tap in the video after one use - no more Titanium Nitride (not where it matters). Why people are fooled by this gold coloured coating is utterly beyond me.
The only pure junk HF tool I ever bought was a drill master drill. Switch died after about 10 uses. Bought 6 #2 Phillips heads for my kids. Always doing a project and could never find a #2. Bought one for myself I liked it so well.
Hobo Freight actually does have a lot of very good tools. They just aren't as clean and refined as the expensive 💩.. calipers have been great, they're just dirty from not being cleaned up and polished from the manufacturer.. I use the $20 Hobo Freight all the time, the $250 big name brands are in the drawer...
large tap handles are garbage there just alum centers the best thing would be tapping alum with the larger tapes the smaller taps it can handle ok i snapped that tap handle using a 1inch tap it lasted for a short bit and it cave way .
Snooki like? Meaning it’s bumpy and infected ?
Never blow metal filings with compressed air.
Taps and dies are decent buy the tap wrench and die wrench is made of pot metal which is crap. The black area of those two tend to break easily. So buy a couple good tap & die wrenches and you’re set
2 mins in and I haven't yet found out what tool he's talking about...what's a tap and dye? We'll get there eventually
Damn nice to see you again. I've had this same set for a long time they are great.
I have used the higher priced Harbors Frieght taps and drill bits in CNC machines on multiple occasions when what I needed wasn't available in the tool crib. If they're used correctly, they work very well and resharpen well also.
I've been using HF tap and dies for years in both SAE and metric. Over 15 years none of the components has failed. That's a testimony to their strength. I got them on sale at the time so I bought both sets. Mine came in a little tighter cases.
never buy round dies the set screws never hold and they are worthless buy octagon dies and handle they do not strip out.
I bought a similar SAE/Metric combo set in smaller sizes than shown (I believe they are 1/2” and under) and have used it a number of times. It’s worked fine except that the tap wrench loosens easily during use and slips off the tap just as yours did.
Everything I ever bought from Harbor freight broke. When a 3/8 or 7/16 allen wrench shatered like glass cutting my hand and shooting shards out in all directions, I stopped dealing with them entirely. But hey....... to each their own. Maybe I was just lucky. Lol
Well, I think all these youtubers are lucky lol. They seem to have the most favorable opinions
@@professordrmao6321 🤔😂😉
I remember that guy! Chucky or something like that.
I got the exact same sae kit from Amazon and I have great luck with it but the metric set I got is a 110 piece kit from Amazon and it literally has every size you can think of I mainly use them to clean threads on my rig but what I do wanna try is harbor freight's NPT kit it only has 8 pieces 4 male 4 female but really that's all I would ever need
How many times can I say, "uh." in an eight-minute video. Dear Lord that was difficult.
4:58 what did you say right before that?
My dad has this same set in SAE. We just used it to redo the threads in two of his clevises that got damaged. One was 1" the other was a little smaller. It worked excellent.
Starting taps especially in cast iron and aluminum you might like the results of starting the tap with your drill press. Power off! Hand turn the chuck with moderate to heavy down pressure for larger taps. After a couple of full threads revert to the tap handle. Straight start every time. Number one cause for breaking a tap is crooked start.
A thread pitch gauge would be nice
They look exactly like my Nieko set. Probably came out of the same factory. I've had them for 8 or 9 years, I don't use them all the time but I haven't managed to break one yet.
I thought this video was 10 years old. Bro you need 1080p lmao
I bought both metric and fractional sets, we’re on sale, couldn’t pass them up! First time I used one, the die holder handle broke like it was made out of cast zinc! What crap!
i got their smaller sets and i have to say i would feel like a pos if i gave them away. you can see all the burs left from when they were cut and to top it off when i needed a 3mm tap the other day i got out my set and i dont know whet they are, maybe 4mm or 10/32 but not 3mm. i was off to the ace hardware to buy a tap just like before i bought the hft junk. dont get me wrong hft makes some ok stuff but DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THEIR 40 PIECE TAP AND DIE SETS. or their dowling jig. two of the items that actually do not work as designed.
Stretch so good to see you back glad you are doing ok!
Most male spiders are "tap and die".
I use these on 3d prints. Often I just make a hole without threads, ser my wall count to 4 and then tap the plastic. It works better than a 3d printed thread, much stronger.
Awesome😊
I bought the metric set from Harbor Freight because it was literally the only place that had the size I needed. I thought I'd just use the set once or twice, but I'm a professional automotive mechanic. Brought them into the shop thinking I would destroy them in 3 months or less. 5 or 6 years of hard use later I've only worn out 1 or 2, and I was tapping *really* hard metal that would've eaten up just about any tap. I need a new driver, the steel in that finally squished so it needs replacement. But most of the taps and dies have held up fine.