O.T. Tools Tap and Die set Help Please

Originally Posted by highflier

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

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.