Tap wars

[Batmanacw]

While transferring my taps to a new organizer I realized I only have one spiral point tap in 1/2-13. I was actually a bit surprised. Lol.

When I'm shopping surplus I generally don't care a whole lot what brand i find as long as it isn't Chinese and is HSS I'll buy it stupid cheap.

When I'm shopping for new taps I tend to be a bit choosey, but I don't run taps hard all day long.

I have a positive opinion on YG-1, OSG, Union Butterfield. Are Emuge taps worth near double the price for a hobbiest like me? I've never worn out a tap.....

 

[woodchucker]

While transferring my taps to a new organizer I realized I only have one spiral point tap in 1/2-13. I was actually a bit surprised. Lol.

When I'm shopping surplus I generally don't care a whole lot what brand i find as long as it isn't Chinese and is HSS I'll buy it stupid cheap.

When I'm shopping for new taps I tend to be a bit choosey, but I don't run taps hard all day long.

I have a positive opinion on YG-1, OSG, Union Butterfield. Are Emuge taps worth near double the price for a hobbiest like me? I've never worn out a tap.....

says the guy that wears out a tap tomorrow ... guaranteed...
I have worn out taps in tough material. I hadn't broken a tap until a few years ago, then went on a spate of broken taps... 1 while removing the tap (damnkit). I have worn out taps in 316ss while it must have been close to work hardening, 4130 and cast iron. You may not think you have worn one out, but when you grab a new one, you'll go .. oh yea, that was going.

 

[Batmanacw]

says the guy that wears out a tap tomorrow ... guaranteed...
I have worn out taps in tough material. I hadn't broken a tap until a few years ago, then went on a spate of broken taps... 1 while removing the tap (damnkit). I have worn out taps in 316ss while it must have been close to work hardening, 4130 and cast iron. You may not think you have worn one out, but when you grab a new one, you'll go .. oh yea, that was going.

Most of my questionable taps were bought used/ surplus. Lol.

 

[MyLilMule]

Most of my garbage taps were bought in those kits with a set of taps and dies. I don't even bother anymore with them. I find that the best taps are the ones that the experienced machinist that owned the toolbox full of taps bought before I owned it.

 

[Winegrower]

Agree with YG1 taps. Taps are one of the few items that are really worth buying high quality.

 

[projectnut]

Most of my questionable taps were bought used/ surplus. Lol.

The one thing I won’t buy used is taps. It’s nearly impossible to tell how worn they are with a quick visual inspection

I have several hundred taps in stock. Mostly HHS spiral point and spiral flute. More recently I’ve been adding roll form taps.

There are also a few dozen HHS hand taps and a few odd sized carbon steel ones that were purchased for one off jobs.

I find buying taps by the package (usually 10 to 12 per pack) keeps the per unit cost under control. Like you I will only buy name brands

At work we expected about 1000 holes tapped in mild steel or aluminum with a quality tap. When tapping 316 it was usually 300 to 500 at the most.

 

[Batmanacw]

The one thing I won’t buy used is taps. It’s nearly impossible to tell how worn they are with a quick visual inspection

I have several hundred taps in stock. Mostly HHS spiral point and spiral flute. More recently I’ve been adding roll form taps.

There are also a few dozen HHS hand taps and a few odd sized carbon steel ones that were purchased for jobs.

I find buying taps by the package (usually 10 to 12 per pack) keeps the per unit cost under control. Like you I will only buy name brands

At work we expected about 1000 holes tapped in mild steel or aluminum with a quality tap. When tapping 316 it was usually 300 to 500 at the most.

I've bought plenty of really nice used taps at $5 a pound. I won't touch them unless they have sharp cutting edges and no damage. I rarely look at them if they aren't in a plastic sleeve.

All those deals dried up unfortunately.

I decided on 2 OSG steam oxide spiral point taps from Ebay. $32 shipped. I have several of those in other sizes and they cut beautifully. I could have bought 2 US made Alfa brand taps for $15 shipped but I don't know the brand.

 

[benmychree]

says the guy that wears out a tap tomorrow ... guaranteed...
I have worn out taps in tough material. I hadn't broken a tap until a few years ago, then went on a spate of broken taps... 1 while removing the tap (damnkit). I have worn out taps in 316ss while it must have been close to work hardening, 4130 and cast iron. You may not think you have worn one out, but when you grab a new one, you'll go .. oh yea, that was going.

Agreed!

 

[benmychree]

You might not know a tap is dull until you follow up with a sharp one to avoid breakage.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

OSG and Guhring have been good to me