Comprehensive tap and die set

I have the GearWrench 115 piece set...been really happy, but since I've been doing my threading on the lathe and mill, I have backed off manually doing it by 80%, but for the price, it's hard to beat.
 
I've got the GearWrench metric set. The GW tap handles are very nice to use, and are what makes the set. The taps and dies are of good quality for a set like that.
 
hman said:
OK ... this is my own personal take on your list. Take it with the requisite grain or two of salt:

12-24 could be omitted. I don't recall EVER using that size, either at home or when designing machinery at Hewlett-Packard. 10-24 is seldom used, but probably OK to include. It is the preferred size for use in aluminum (I still use 10-32). 7/16 can be omitted. ½-13 and -20 OK. I'd hold off on larger sizes until and unless needed for a specific project.

Metrics - Really no need for two thread pitches for each size. M3x0.5, M4x0.7, M5x0.8, M6x1.0, M8x1.25, M10x1.5 and M12x1.75 will take care of just about any fastener you're likely to run into. There was ONE particular prox sensor we used on machines at HP that had M8x1.0 thread, but that's the only time I ever saw/used that thread. M7 - VERY uncommon. And as with inch threads, I'd not worry about having anything above 12mm (~½") until and unless there is a specific need. Besides, the bigger taps are the expensive ones!

As far as organizing things is concerned, I absolutely LOVE this black plastic holder for inch taps, tap drills and clearance drills. They've been around for years. I was VERY lucky to find one, fully populated with high quality taps and drills, gathering dust and on closeout at an industrial supplier in Oregon several years ago. Snapped it up! The holders are still available, but unpopulated:
https://www.mcmaster.com/tap-and-drill-cases/ (bottom of the page)
View attachment 346066

Note that McMaster also offers an equivalent metric holder. I haven't bought one of these, for fear it'll be the same as the "original" that's been out for many years (photo below). The original is chock full of stupid errors ... incorrect pitch callouts, mismatched hole sizes, etc. - NOT recommended! The description of the metric holder on McMaster does sound just a bit different, so maybe worthwhile. Anyway, I "improved" mine by adding half-pipes (1 ¼" PVC) for die storage. You could do the same with the inch tap and drill holder.
View attachment 346067

PS - just thought of something. Try visiting an ACE Hardware store [NOT Home Depot or Lowes] and browsing their multitudinous nut-and-bolt drawers. If you can't find a specific inch or metric pitch there, you're not too likely to encounter it elsewhere. I'd be willing to bet that what you find will be pretty close to the pared-down list I offered above.
Click to expand...

I would include 1/2 x 12 its BSW and its quite common, especially in old british made stuff, It's the only size that differs in pitch from UNC. All other inch sizes you can usually mix UNC with BSW and it will work, the only difference being the thread angle with UNC at 60 deg. and BSW at 55 deg.
 
Durn! Thanks for the reminder. I've been running into more and more ½ x 12 threads on Chinese stuff as time goes on. Don't know if they've been BSP or UNS. The explanation I've heard is that some Chinese folks are superstitious enough to avoid the number 13 (as in ½ x 13) like it's the plague.

Just for fun I did a quick search. UNS taps:
www.mcmaster.com

McMaster-Carr

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Amazon.com: 1/2-12 UNS Tap Thread Tap HSS Plug 2B RH Ship by Express Delivery in 4 days : Industrial & Scientific

Buy 1/2-12 UNS Tap Thread Tap HSS Plug 2B RH Ship by Express Delivery in 4 days: Thread Milling Taps - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
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Haloogoods, 1Pc Of HSS6542 Made 1/2-12 UNS HSS Machine Taps Straight Taps For Steel Metal Workpiece Threading Purpose Using - - Amazon.com

Haloogoods, 1Pc Of HSS6542 Made 1/2-12 UNS HSS Machine Taps Straight Taps For Steel Metal Workpiece Threading Purpose Using - - Amazon.com
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UNS tap & die:
UNS dies:
BSP tap:
 
I looked over all the different kinds of taps & dies available. It is an incredible selection.
 
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