Where and what brand HSS metric dies (3-14mm) do you buy?

[KevinM]

I need some good HSS metric thread cutting dies in the 3-14mm range. Most that I have found are either junk (I'm looking at you Irwin) or priced pretty high. A Dormer M3x0.5 die from MSCDirect is $70-$123!! McMasters has all dies in my range for $40 each but they won't disclose the brand. I'm not looking for toolroom precision but would like for them to cut a nice thread. I work with aluminum, brass, 1018, 416SS, A2 and O1.

What brand do you buy and where do you buy them?

Edit: Shars does not have HSS metric dies.

 

[ErichKeane]

I have really good luck going on ebay for NOS US or USSR made taps/dies. You have to piece together a set, but you can get some really nice stuff cheap.

 

[KevinM]

I have really good luck going on ebay for NOS US or USSR made taps/dies. You have to piece together a set, but you can get some really nice stuff cheap.

Thanks, I'll have a look. I assumed that I would have to piece together what I need.

 

[mmcmdl]

Hmmmm...........................................

 

[davidpbest]

When I can’t find high quality dies on eBay (much of which are junk unless you know the specific brand), here is where I go. These are all excellent quality:

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[mmcmdl]

If you aren't in a huge hurry , I may just have a few . Give me a few days or a week . lots of stuff going out .

 

[KevinM]

If you aren't in a huge hurry , I may just have a few . Give me a few days or a week . lots of stuff going out .Thanks

Thanks, I can wait.

 

[mmcmdl]

Thanks, I can wait.

Me either , they're a lot lighter than what I'm packing up now . Bare with me .

 

[Ischgl99]

Everything from McMaster-Carr is a top quality name brand. I haven’t bought any dies from them, but the taps were Widia. For dies, I have been buying TMX from Travers, no complaints on the quality.

 

[KevinM]

Everything from McMaster-Carr is a top quality name brand. I haven’t bought any dies from them, but the taps were Widia. For dies, I have been buying TMX from Travers, no complaints on the quality.

I bought some Travers HSS dies and the threads that they cut are nice and crisp. Thanks for the tip.