Lots of opinions on Enco's Interstate brand kind of hit or miss depending on what you are buying, BUT on something like taps is it worth the gamble. You can pay about 25% brand and get much better quality that is much more likely to work well and have durability. Taps in particular, I just do not take any chances anymore, they also fatigue with use, so they have a finite lifespan even if they are still sharp. I tend to buy the tap sets (taper,plug, bottoming) by Hertel, a little more than the interstate, well worth it, but there are better ones for more $$. I often buy 2 of each size sest, because you are going break one, and want an extra. Most of the "newer" Interstate line is pretty low quality in my experience, ok if used infrequently, but just a small step up from HF. In general, a lot of name brands have sold out to made in China, and the quality/durability has suffered. Look at Fowler, SPI, Jacobs and a host of other companies, whose newer products perform poorly and often do not last. Yes it is hit or miss, maybe work for awhile, but most likely not last or perform as expected.
On cutting tools, I have had similar poor experiences with interstate and other generic cutting tools and inserts, they work for awhile, and then fail. I buy surplus name brand end mills like SGS, they can stay sharp and cut a long time, the cheaper stuff, I can blow through in one project. Same for inserts on my lathe for a parting tool and threading, I noticed a significant difference in durability. Cheaper tools, are not cheap if in the end you are replacing them more frequently. Same goes for drills, I must have a 1/2 dozen of partial and broken drill sets, that just didn't last. Finally broke down and purchased a decent set of Hertel cobalt Jobber's, lasted a long time, and I occasionally replace the ones I burn up. You will also find that when items are on sale at Enco, (get on their mailing list) the price difference is often very close. On my lathe I use mostly Precision Twist drills, and they have worked very well.
Sorry for the rant, but I just can't recommend many of these products that are just rebranded generic Chinese brands and poorly made. I guess a lot comes down to how much you use them and in what materials you work with.
