Thread: Tap (& die) holders - bar type vs t-bar type

I am looking into buying some tap and die tools for some odd-ball sized holes so am not buying a tap & die "set" but pieces individually.

What is the difference between bar type and T-bar type tap holders? Can t-bar type only be used up to a certain size, which from my limited research is about 12mm?

Also some t-bar types say they are ratchet as well.

Is one better then the other?

Horses for courses,depends on what your tapping the position in which your tapping.

As pc says, plus it also depends what thread depth you are going for. Deep, full depth in steel with my T handles, anything over about 5/16" starts to be hard work.
I feel bar handles give more control and better feel, but are slower.
Stuart

What do you guys think of this from GearWrench? Is GW a reputable brand?

SPECIALTY TOOLS > Ratcheting Tap and Die > Sets# 3880 | GearWrench™

TOL,

I prefer the chuck type of tap wrench, especially when tapping in the lathe. The tailstock can be run up to the back of the wrench, and with a dead centre fitted, will hold and centre the wrench.

My tap wrenches have countersunk holes in the handle ends.

Ken

Looking at that set it looks good,not to sure how functional it would be work or performance wise.

The Stock appears from whats written to take 1" AF Hex dies,have never seen a 1" AF Hex die that I would use.

I preffer to use thr Round adjustable type.

Its a bit the same with most Hand tools know what you want to do,how you are going to do it and what you need to do it and try and get the Best tools to do the job.

I undertand that $ play a part but if these Hand tools were going to be used on a regular basis I would look for Quallity tools either new or second hand.

Originally Posted by pipeclay

I undertand that $ play a part but if these Hand tools were going to be used on a regular basis I would look for Quallity tools either new or second hand.

I'm only a DIYer so won't be using it day in day out. However as I am only buying specific sizes at a time, in this case I'm looking at tap wrenches I want to get half-decent quality. I realise P&N, Sutton, Dormer are the best in the business but I don't want to spend a huge amount of $$$.

What other brands would you recommend without going the cheap and nasty?

The chuck type handles are good for small taps and for getting into tight areas but I prefer the bar type because I find it easier to keep the tap going in square. Plus, as Stu says the leverage offered by the tee handles isn't that great. Bar types are available in all sizes too.

Ken's comment about using the counter sink in the chuck handle when tapping on a lathe is a good one and you can do the same with a bar handle providing that the tap also has the little countersink in the end of it. The countersink is put on each end of the tap so it can be placed "between centres" during manufacture and consequent resharpenings so it is absolutely concentric with the thread centre. If you drill your hole on a bench drill then you can use a center mounted on the drill spindle to achieve the same aim providing that you don't unclamp the workpiece. And we always clamp the workpiece, don't we.....

Can't say that I would purchase that set; I also prefer the round adjustable dies so you can creep up on the desired thread size. Fixed dies are usually only used for cleaning up existing threads; they're refered to as "die nuts". Also you can't use diferent manufacturers dies in the die holder; you're stuck with Gear Wrench products. I've never heard of these guys either.


Try and pick up some good quality second hand ones maybe. If you can pick up English ones the HSS is of a much better quality. I have mainly Dormer and Goliath ones along with Sutton and P&N (Australian brands). The Ausie ones are ok for most materials but if you start using them on tougher steels like stainless they blunt out really quickly. If you're never going to use SS then P&N are fairly cheap, readily available anywhere and will give you good results.

Kinda off on a tangent but what do you guys think of Frost brand? They seem to be related to P&N/Sutton but possibly more the DIYer end of the market.

TAP & DIE SET METRIC 40PC.INCLUDES TAP & DIE HOLDERS. (eBay item 160480622784 end time 11-Apr-11 21:24:30 AEST) : Home

The seller says they are HSS.

Originally Posted by TheOtherLeft

Kinda off on a tangent but what do you guys think of Frost brand? They seem to be related to P&N/Sutton but possibly more the DIYer end of the market.

TAP & DIE SET METRIC 40PC.INCLUDES TAP & DIE HOLDERS. (eBay item 160480622784 end time 11-Apr-11 21:24:30 AEST) : Home

The seller says they are HSS.

They look like the same standard chinese set that everyone is flogging these days. I have the metric and imperial version sets and they are OK for basic work but if you want really precise fitting taps and dies you really should be looking at the adjustable ones which have a little screw in the side of the die. They are really worth getting if you can find them.

One type of taps and die that don't require adjustment are the pipe taper threading types as the taper takes care of the adjustment.

i bought a tap and die set from aldi for $20 has sizes m-3 thru to m-12 and 1/8 and 1/4 bsp all taps are hss. it came pilot drills and metal case worth it if they come on sale again.

Dont think they would be HSS for that price.

Have seen similar sets,they work as well as they should.

For someone only using occasionally they will probably be fine.

If you were to find that you were tapping a particular size often it would pay you to get a quallity taps or die in that particular size.

They appear to be Hex dies.

If you do purchase this set I would suggest that if tapping holes to drill your tapping drill hole slightly larger than the one required.

If these are Carbon tapes and not HSS they will not take long to go dull or break,drilling the holes slightly larger will reduce this.

By larger I normally find if I want slightly more clearance on a Metric hole I will go with the next size up Imperial drill and if Imperial the next size up Metric drill.

Also when Tapping or using the Dies use some type of cutting compound.

im sur e the aldi ones i have at least are hss as its stamped on it and i have tapped about 150 holes with them and they seem fine.

I found the Frost brand tap and die set in Bunnings.

Whilst they are under the Sutton umbrella they are made in China and only have a 12month home user warranty. Can I assume Sutton would have good quality control over it's products???

How would the Frost set compare to this:

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=T012

Machinery House seems to be popular on here.