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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    19

    Default HSS taps & dies - Sutton, LPR (Aprica), other?

    Hey folks
    I’m looking to upgrade from my cheap tap & die set, and looking for recommendations available in Australia. I’m looking for HSS in order to have a better time of cutting new threads on/in mild steel. Two offerings I’m comparing are the Suttons and Aprica - (the LPR toolmakers house brand?). I imagine the Suttons would be pretty decent, but does anyone have experience with the Apricas, or have another brand to suggest?
    cheers
    Will

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Bordo/Goliath tools are what I use, I haven't had any problems, but have had a few broken by the klutz's at work!!! Don't know how they manage to break a 12mm tap???
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    I’ve got a couple of the Aprica ones in odd sizes. They work but I wouldn’t put them in the Sutton league from a looks/finish perspective. I don’t have the same size Sutton so can’t compare them in use.

    My approach is to have a good size set of midrange quality, and then buy individuals of the ones I commonly use such as 6,8,10,12mm.
    My big set is just a Total tools TTI brand one from about 3-25mm in coarse and fine pitches.

    Ease of threading is as much about good lube and correct hole/shaft size as the tool in my experience. For my commonly used taps I keep the correct drill size stored with the tap.

    Steve

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    1,075

    Default

    We mainly use Guhring at work, very nice stuff
    Gear cutting specialists and general engineers www.hardmanbros.com.au
    Fine pitch gear cutting from 0.1 Module www.rigear.com.au

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by OxxAndBert View Post
    For my commonly used taps I keep the correct drill size stored with the tap.
    Me too. I find it makes a huge difference to the effort required to tap a hole if it's drillled undersized. And that can't be good for the tap.
    Chris

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    if you are patriotic there is a Capital Tools of Hamilton Victoria.

    They make taps and dies and similar tools.

    I bought mine bits and pieces from the dealer who supplies the big machine shops in our area. Its around the same pricing as the rest of the OS good stuff.

    I have never had any problems and their stuff has all been top quality.
    Here is their email.

    [email protected]
    The usual disclaimer, no relatives or affiliations.

    Grahame

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    Thanks Grahame - almost local to me and I hadn't heard of them.
    Link to their website here, and there's even a price list !! https://www.capitalcuttingtools.com.au

    Steve

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post
    if you are patriotic there is a Capital Tools of Hamilton Victoria.
    Nice find. They look brilliant. How is it I’ve never heard of them? Their stub drills are very reasonably priced.
    Chris

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    If you are looking for a full set you might even consider

    a Gearwrench set.

    https://www.totaltools.com.au/80324-...d-die-set-3886

    They are NOT HSS but I have a set and they do very well on steel and brass,though today I did cut a M6 x 1 thread on a 304 S/Steel rod.

    They use hex die nuts, not split dies.
    The taps are ok though when I break the smaller ones they are replaced with Capitol HSS equivalents.

    I have a set of Gearwrench imperials as well.

    No problems other than the ones I have caused over 5 years or so.
    If you have the opportunity have a look at them in the flesh so you can see the quality of the tap and die wrench design.Well made and solid.
    These wrenches far better than the alloy junk that comes with some of the allegedly better HSS sets.
    Cheers

    Grahame

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
    Location
    Geraldton Western Australia
    Posts
    132

    Default

    I use Bordo for mild steel/ali and Golith or Sutton HSS for stainless and anything else hard.

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