Buying taps and dies

[Mr Spigot]

I am looking to acquire some taps and dies to make and clean threads on my 1960 car. From what I can glean, UNF and BSF are the most common thread sizes with a few others in some places. I would welcome some advice on what to buy, whether new or secondhand and what makes to look out for (and avoid!). Is it better to buy a boxed set, or buy individual taps etc as and when required. What sort of prices should I pay? I know that there will be some informed advice on this forum!
Thanks.

[svenedin]

This is the set I have and it is very useful for occasional use. Another essential tool to have at hand is a thread gauge. The gauge I have also does Imperial screw sizes etc.

There will be specialist taps and dies that are not included in a standard set but you could borrow those or buy second hand for a specific job.

Although I knew what taps and dies were, threads were a complete mystery to me. I must have been asleep during metalwork classes at school all those years ago.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01 ... UTF8&psc=1

https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/563784 ... ulti-gauge

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B092R5YZ88? ... yp_imgToDp

Stephen

[geoberni]

Something I've often thought of, but never actually done.
I guess it depends on the condition of your car and what you're going to be doing to it.
Because you could easily end up buy lot's of tools you'll never use.
I sometimes scan through ebay seeing what's available, or see what's available at autojumbles.
As a 'rule of thumb' I'm pretty sure buying a set is going to be more cost effective than buying individually.

Be interesting to see what some of the more experience forum members come back with.

Some of the Used 'professional quality' sets on ebay command quite high prices in 3 figures.

The sort of thing Stephen has got is probably worthwhile. Certainly a thread gauge is very useful.

[philthehill]

I only buy taps and dies as and when I need them.
I would recommend that you buy High Speed Steel (HSS) taps and dies as anything less is rubbish.
S/H taps and dies from 'e' bay are a good source of taps and dies.
If buying S/H try and buy Made in England types.
Tracy Tools www.tracytools.com is a regular source/supplier of taps and dies for me.
If using taps and dies you will also need the tap and die holders. The 1" dia die holder is the most common size but you may need larger holders if using the larger dies.
For cleaning up threads you will need die nuts as well as normal split dies.
For a Minor you will need:-
Unified National Fine (UNF)
Unified National Coarse (UNC)
British Standard Fine (BSF)
British Association (BA)
British Standard Pipe (BSP)
Whitworth (Whit).
Unified National Special (UNS)
Brass (Br)
A ZEUS Precision data chart (metric revision) is a must if drilling and tapping holes.
As above thread gauges are an important part of identifying threads.

[Peted7202]

I'd suggest you get something like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315387133159 ... Q4P2DZ60NE
Doesn't include all thread types but covers most of what you need. Used mine a lot. Narrows down what taps/dies you may need.

[StillGotMy1stCar]

DIY thread chaser. For cleaning up rusty threads, a bolt of correct size, with two slots cut both sides of the bolt and at 90° to thread with a thin 1mm cutting disc does a good job of cleaning the threads. Oiled, it collects the debris in the slot for removal. It works better if you get the slot at a slight angle to direct the debris in to the slot.

Regards John

[philthehill]

Personally I would not spend the money on a thread identifier as per the link above.
All the threads relating to the Morris Minor 1000 are set out and identified in the link below

viewtopic.php?t=51709

I find that a suitable bolt with a flat filed on its side to just below the root of the thread and greased does a good job in cleaning up internal threads. The grease picks up the crud.

[les]

I’ve just taken my IPad to pieces to save that trapped spider. He seemed quite at home so I put him back.

[geoberni]

I’ve just taken my IPad to pieces to save that trapped spider. He seemed quite at home so I put him back.

It nearly had me whacking the PC screen....

[les]

I just didn’t want to kill it !! Do you remember the days when after a journey you had to clean the windscreen of squashed insects,
not any more, we’ve wiped them all out, along with many other creatures. The human animal doesn’t like sharing.
I might get told off now for deviation !

[StillGotMy1stCar]

I’ve just taken my IPad to pieces to save that trapped spider. He seemed quite at home so I put him back.

Sorry

[les]

Never mind, I’ve got a spare IPad but would you believe it, there’s a spider in that one as well !

[Peted7202]

It was general observation Phil. Yes all thread sizes are identified if you have an original car but as I found when stripping mine some were not as spec.Also if like me you work on/restore other cars the tool proves really useful.

Personally I would not spend the money on a thread identifier as per the link above.
All the threads relating to the Morris Minor 1000 are set out and identified in the link below

viewtopic.php?t=51709

I find that a suitable bolt with a flat filed on its side to just below the root of the thread and greased does a good job in cleaning up internal threads. The grease picks up the crud.

[oliver90owner]

I only buy taps and dies as I need them - I likely have got rather more than I shall ever need.

HSS is the higher quality material, but carbon steel is adequate for cleaning up damaged threads. I buy HSS but also have some very old carbon steel taps and dies bought at sundry sales.

But I (likely similar to PTH?) have lathe and mills for working metal.

There are other tools required around threads and their troubles. Only on Thursday, I purchased a comprehensive set of left-handed drills - very useful for removing broken studs and set screws.