O.T. Tools Tap and Die set Help Please
 

All,

I have never used and do not own a Tap and Die set. However a post a little while back indicates that I need one :) At least a M3 for the FLM antena hole.

There has been other times that I wanted to do this also. So a little advice on where and what set to get would be great.

I would like to buy once and not have to buy again. Most of my uses are of smaller hobby stuff but sometimes grow into larger projects.

A nice case organizer would be good to. Also is there a handy guide that tells you which size drill bit to use before you use XX tap?

This seems pricy but sounds nice.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...70_34591_34591

However it does not list sizes.

Also it seams to me the Tap is the item of interest to me. It is always easy to buy a new bolt, but to thread a hole requires you have the tools, Am I missing something here?

Highflier

Generally any decent automotive store can sell you individual taps, and a tap holder or wrench. They usually say on the packet what size drill to use, or include the drill bit! A #43 drill seems to be the correct size for m3 threads to be cut in. Also, get some cutting fluid/oil, it will help the tap last longer and not break!

This:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXK376&P=ML

and this:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXK370&P=ML

should give you all you need for hobby stuff.

And a handle here:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXK377&P=M

I could go with the tower combo you listed but I am thinking more about the many years and think a complete set would be nice for hobbiies and more, I'll see what deals tower has right now.

Is the FLM aluminium pretty easy to tap if I want to add a few holes?

Highflier

The prob with a set like that is you'll never use 90% of them. I was surprised they didn't list the included sizes either. I did see in one of the reviews that set goes up to 3/4" and 19mm, but no idea of how small it goes down too in either. I suspect it would be a great set to have - its has 2 taps in each size - a taper (for starting the thread) and a plug tap for cutting threads close to the bottom of a hole that does not go through. Sets like this usually include a chart showing the required drill bit for a given thread, and bigger taps usually have that data printed or engraved on them - pretty easy to find this infor on internet too. The one thing you would need to make this set useable is a complete set of drill bits to have the right drill bit size for a given tap (fractional, lettered, numbered and maybe even metric size drill bits ).

I took the other approach - I bought a $200 drill bit set and just buy the taps and dies as I need them to fix a specific problem - I have whatever drill bit I would need. Yes, sometimes its a pain to have to stop everything and go to hdw store, but it's not an everyday occurence. Something like this will take care of just about everything (except some 1/18th scale fastners) for rc grade work -

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=LXE224


If you're interested in that Northern set - email them and ask for sizes. I buy from them and they seem to have good customer service.

Anybodies alum is easy to work with - the prob with softer stuff like alum is keeping holes/threads straight and true. FLM uses 6061 and its good to work with. Softer than 6061 is workable too, just need to work a little differently to account for how soft it is.

I still have not made up my mind, I could pick up locally a cheapo set from harbor freight, However I am fearfull of anything from harbor that needs to be hardened.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=45766

and a drill bit set like this
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...fault-_-150286

or I could get this set to go with the drill bits
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...5169_200325169


I wish I could find a good tap set without the die's I doubt I will need the die's. People indicated they bought just the taps that they need but I have not seen them sold outside of sets yet.

It's been 2 hours since I started writing this msg. Here is what I am leaning towards.
Drill bits
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFO1PQ/...Q&linkCode=asn

Tap set
http://www.tools-plus.com/hanson-26317.html

I find this all very confusion as I do not know which brands are quality.

Anyways please either confirm I have selected Decent stuff (does not have to be best)just something that will last me for my personal use and will not screwup when I use it.

Highflier

Out of what you listed, I would get the drill bit set that you linked from Amazon. Not sure about the taps. I would probably get a full set, but if you won't use them for anything other than R/C, just get a a small set of the common metric and SAE sizes (SAE if you fool with Losi or AE) and you should be set. I agree with you though, dies are much good in 99% of the situations. As far as I can recall, I've only used a die once. A good drill bit set and a small tap set should be plenty. I actually have the Harbor Freight set you linked and its actually rather decent, except for the handle. I broke the handle before I broke the tap...

No need to buy whole set, buy the most quality taps/dies you can afford as you need them. Once i broke what i though was a good tap in GA 7075 maxx bulkhead and quite heavy machinery was needed to get it out - i really did not expect that machine cut thread was so awfull that i should have started with the course tap and not the calibration one. Had a same issue with couple FLM made threads and had to get a new chassis brace.
Taps for hand use should always come in sets of 3. First being the course for initial cut the last being for calibration. For machine use you can have just one tap.

The handle breaking was a design not a flaw. It saves the tap. LOL

I figure I will get metric only now... and when the time comes I will by a SAE set.


It looks like the set I am thinking about comes with course and fine taps. But not a 3rd middle one.

From the feedback so far makes it sound like I will be OK with my current leanings, Although there is difference in opinions of going hogwild or just buying what I need today.

Thanks all,
Highflier

2 taps are always better than just one and for aluminum as material of choice for RC stuff it's gonna be enough as the calibrating tap is really just for checking if the thread is ok / fine finish

I worked at a local hardware store whild in college and we sold Hanson, never had a problem with one in 4 yrs working there. My grandfather was a professional car mechanic and the few he had were Hanson. When I have to buy one, its either Hason or Craftsman. Unless the've changed, no doubt about the quality.

Well I drove myself nuts looking for good tools Arg... so I just said F it and got this
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6944_200326944
and this
http://www.tools-plus.com/hanson-26317.html

+ some cutting oil from the above site.

I really wanted to get some cobalt bits but a complete set was big time exspensive. I just hope the drill bits are not crap. Oh well it a done deal. Regrets hopefully will not be following.

It was quite hard to try and find what is a quality tool at a fair price. It was either namebrand for big $$$ or really cheap import stuff, with very little advice to be found on the internet.

Highflier

OK 1 last question.
Tap set showed up today, no drill set but thatis no big deal as of FLM alredy drill and half taped the hole :)

It is obvious that I need the 4MM tap not the 3MM No big deal just FYI for any others that read this thread.

The taps are not label course or fine. THe 4MM are labeled
4MM X .75
4MM X .7

I for this task I am sure it will work either way... but for future knowledge which is the correct order to run them into the hole. .7 first then the .75?? At least that would be my guess if nobody answers me.

Highflier

I don't think metric works like that. For metric, the 2nd number is the thread pitch I believe. RC 4mm screws are listed as 4mm x .7, so thats the tap to use. The .75 will not fit the threads of the .7 based screws. You might get away with it fitting in soft alum, but in something harder, you'd feel it bind.

Yep, .75 and .7 are different thread pitches, like TPI. Don't use those 2 taps in the same hole. Check what thread pitch the screws you are using are, and use that tap.