Where to buy USA Made adjustable dies

[woodchucker]

I looked at McMaster and MSC, and a few others. OMG, prices are outrageous.
I burned out my 3/8-16 die, I figure to add 1/4-20 and 5/16-18 since they are my most used dies.

well prices have been $42 - $62 per die. Last time I needed a die I paid like $12 for a single USA made HSS die.
Where have you found reasonably priced, good quality USA made dies? Not looking to spend 120- 180 for 3 dies... that' ridiculous.

 

[mmcmdl]

Where have you found reasonably priced, good quality USA made dies?

I have found them in both basements as well as the garage Jeff . They are reasonably priced also , just the time to locate them .

 

[mksj]

I recommend getting Toolmex (Poland) HSS round adjustable dies. It is hard to find HSS at a reasonable price, I have used these dies and they work well and are reasonably priced. They also have ones made in the US - Michigan Drill. Might be able to find something on eBay but most is overpriced or made in China.

Product Search | Suncoast Precision Tools (SPT)

www.suncoasttools.com

 

[Martin W]

KBC tools has USA made tooling sales every so often.
Cheers
Martin

 

[woodchucker]

KBC tools has USA made tooling sales every so often.
Cheers
Martin

I had looked b4 I sent out a request. They don't say theirs are USA made, or where. leading me to believe China.

 

[Jim F]

Snap-on, Matco, Mac, Cornwell, all have Lifetime warranty.

Snap-on is unavailable at this time, due to Hanson-Irwin divorce.
They are setting up in-hose manufacturing.

 

[C-Bag]

I have the next bigger set. The original, GTD, whole set and all adjustable.

Vintage Greenfield Little Giant No.1 Tap & Die Screw Plate Set In Wooden Case | eBay

Yard Sale Find ~ Missing 1/4" Tap ~ Left As Found ~ Should Clean Up Nicely.

www.ebay.com

 

[mksj]

I have the older Snap-On double hex dies/tap set, bought new. I have broken a few of their double hex dies and they are no longer available, they are also a pit of a PTA if you want to use them in a die holder in a lathe. I made my own die holders to use them. They are also stupidly expensive, and that goes for most other decent dies and taps. What I recommend is to purchase those that you use most frequently as tap sets from mainstream (quality) vendors, and also get a back up set, same goes for the dies. I use a lot more spiral point/body taps these days, they clear the chips and cut with a lot less force. I purchased a bunch of adjustable round dies, most are HSS (Japan, Poland, UK). I use my Snap-On die and tap set for some of the less frequently used sizes, but still a bit peeved that I can't get replacements from Snap-On. I just broke my M6 die the other day. These days the price of a decent Tap/Die set is about 3X what I paid for mine, but then that was about 15 years ago.

 

[Martin W]

I had looked b4 I sent out a request. They don't say theirs are USA made, or where. leading me to believe China.

I just checked their catalogue. You are correct. All of their adjustable dies are KBC brand (offshore). They do have many US made taps. Widdel Industries, R&N and Union Butterfield.
Cheers
Martin

 

[Ischgl99]

I have found Travers to have better prices on US made taps and dies than McMaster, but like Mark, I buy TMX from Sun Coast for about $15 each. Polish quality is very good and I don’t see any reason to pay US prices.