9 Best Tap and Die Sets of 2024

Written by: - Garden Maintenance Expert

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The Best Tap and Die Sets

  1. Hi-Spec 39-Piece SAE and Metric Tap and Die Set

  2. Gunpla 40-Piece Metric Tap and Die Set

  3. Mophorn 110-Piece Metric Tap and Die Kit

  4. Draper 79205 75-Piece Metric and BSP Combination Tap and Die Set

  5. AB Tools 24-Piece UNF (AF) and UNC Tap and Die Set

  6. VonHaus 40-Piece Tap and Die Set

  7. Sealey AK3015 Metric Tap and Die Set

Tap and Die Set Reviews

With headquarters in Denver, Colorado, Hi-Spec tools have a reputation for making decent equipment without the big brand price tag. Their 39-piece tap and die set is ideal for anyone that wants to work with SAE as well as metric sizes of bolt.

The taps and dies in this set are made from GCr15 alloy steel, which is high in carbon and hard enough to cut most metals you’ll put in front of them. The taps are slightly tapered as well, which allows them to cut easier without cross-threading. The set comes with 9 SAE taps and dies and 8 metric taps and dies.

One of the reasons why this is an excellent tap and die set for DIYers is the included screw pitch gauge. You can determine the exact pitch of outside threads to make sure you’re using the correct die.

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Knowing how to cut your own threads is a useful skill to have, so it’s great that Gunpla have created one of the best tap and die kits on the market right now. It contains most of the bits you’ll ever need, and they’re well made too.

The cutting tools are made from Tungsten alloy steel. This makes them extremely hard and resistant to wear, which is exactly what you’re looking for in a tap and die set. The kit comes with 16 metric size taps and 16 metric size dies from M3x0.5 up to 12×1.75.

Alongside the cutting heads is a T handle, screw pitch gauge, and decent quality tap wrench for getting the most torque into the taps and dies as possible. Everything comes neatly packed into a hard plastic case as well.

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Manufacturing everything from pottery wheels to Mig welders, Mophorn have got it all. Their huge 110-piece metric tap and die kit includes everything you’d need to cut your own inside or outside threads.

Constructed from hardened Tungsten steel alloy, the range of taps and dies here is enormous. Starting with 35 plug taps, 35 taper taps, and 35 dies from M3 – M12 and M6 – M20, the set also includes an adjustable tap wrench and T bar wrench.

This comprehensive set of metric taps and dies comes packed in a large hard plastic case. All the pieces are held tightly, so they shouldn’t fall out when you open it up. This is an impressive number of taps and dies for the money and should keep any DIYer happy for years to come.

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British tool brand Draper are one of the more recognisable names on the market, so it’s no surprise that they make a comprehensive metric and imperial tap and die set.

This complete set of carbon steel taps and dies comes with 17 metric sizes from 3 x 0.5 up to 12 x 1.75 in both coarse and fine thread types. You also get a 1/8” British Standard Pipe (BSP) tapered tap as well. I like that Draper have included a set of matched size drill bits for tapping holes ready for cutting threads too.

Alongside the expected accessories such as the thread pitch gauge, T bar wrench, and flathead screwdriver for tightening the wrenches, the whole kit comes in a sturdy steel case.

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With a decent range of tools for working on everything from your car to your garden, AB Tools have also made a useful 24-piece SAE tap and die set. These Imperial sizes are ideal for working on older or American standard size bolts and bolt holes.

Using Tungsten steel alloy to make the taps and dies, you can expect these tools to cut clean threads in steel, aluminium, and other slightly softer metals. Divided into two types of tap and die from 1/8″ – ½”, the UNF are for fine threads, and the UNC are for coarse threads.

The whole set is packed tightly into a sheet steel case with vacuum moulded inserts to stop any rattles. It’s a shame that it doesn’t come with a thread pitch gauge, but for the money it’s one of the best AF tap and die sets around.

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Manchester’s own VonHaus have an impressive range of homewares as well as tools. Designed to get the job done without breaking the bank, their 40-Piece tap and die set is ideal for DIYers.

This basic kit comes with 17 tap and die sizes from M3 – M12 and all the cutters are made from hardened alloy steel. All the sizes are etched into the face of the dies and on the sides of the taps, so it’s easy to see what one you’ve picked up.

There’s a thread pitch gauge included as well as a T-bar wrench and self-centring die holder. The kit comes in a plastic case that should keep the bits safe from knocks and drops too.

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Another big name in British tool manufacturing, Sealey have a long history of making quality kit. The AK3015 metric tap and die set is a small but well laid out set of tools for cutting both inside and outside threads into metal.

The alloy steel taps and dies measure from M3 up to M12, but the clever part of this kit is that for each size you get a taper, second, and plug tap for bottoming out. It means you have everything on hand to cut inside threads that reach to the very bottom of a hole.

The rest of the accessories including a tap wrench and screw pitch gauge come well packaged in a sturdy steel case. It’s one of the best tap and die sets for DIYers that I’ve come across.

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Harry's Smart Buying Tips

A tap and die set is a set of tools that is used to create or repair screw threads. The tap is used to cut the female part of the pair where the thread is internal, such as a nut. The die is used to cut the matching male part of the pair where the thread is external, such as a bolt or screw.

Using a tap is referred to as tapping whilst using a die is called threading.  When using a tap and die set to clean or repair existing threads, the process is called chasing.

Components

Most tap and die sets include a range of taps and dies as well as a tap wrench, T-bar tap wrench, die holder, thread gauge, screwdriver and drill bits. A die set like this provides everything you need for the job.

Die set components can be made of different materials such as carbon or tungsten steel. Carbon steel is usually fine for most home and car maintenance use.

It is also a good idea to purchase a suitable lubricant to make tap and die set jobs easier and protect the tools from damage.

Sets

Tap and die sets come in a range of sizes. Most manufacturers include a full list of the sizes included in the product description. You can also buy additional sizes separately.

There are three main kinds of tap: a taper tap, an intermediate tap and a bottoming (plug) tap. Some die sets don’t have the intermediate tap as this is not such a standard requirement.

Cases

There are a lot of pieces in a tap and die set and if they get mixed up it can be a nightmare to sort them! For this reason, it is worth investing in a tap & die set with a good case that keeps everything in place. Many taps and dies come in a steel case with a plastic insert to hold the numerous pieces.

Usage

A tap and die set is useful to repair items when the original fixing components are damaged. Taps & dies can be used to repair appliances, cars and furniture and for general hobby use.

Conclusion

If you are a handy person that likes to repair home appliances or vehicles then a tap and die set is a very useful tool. Many items have very specific parts that are not easily purchased so a tap and die set allows you to make new components exactly to the size you require. Tap and die sets also allow you to clean up corroded or worn threads to make them useful again.

How to Choose the Best Tap and Die Set

A tap and die set is a set of tools that is used to create or repair screw threads. The tap is used to cut the female part of the pair where the thread is internal, such as a nut. The die is used to cut the matching male part of the pair where the thread is external, such as a bolt or screw.

Using a tap is referred to as tapping whilst using a die is called threading.  When using a tap and die set to clean or repair existing threads, the process is called chasing.

Components

Most tap and die sets include a range of taps and dies as well as a tap wrench, T-bar tap wrench, die holder, thread gauge, screwdriver and drill bits. A die set like this provides everything you need for the job.

Die set components can be made of different materials such as carbon or tungsten steel. Carbon steel is usually fine for most home and car maintenance use.

It is also a good idea to purchase a suitable lubricant to make tap and die set jobs easier and protect the tools from damage.

Sets

Tap and die sets come in a range of sizes. Most manufacturers include a full list of the sizes included in the product description. You can also buy additional sizes separately.

There are three main kinds of tap: a taper tap, an intermediate tap and a bottoming (plug) tap. Some die sets don’t have the intermediate tap as this is not such a standard requirement.

Cases

There are a lot of pieces in a tap and die set and if they get mixed up it can be a nightmare to sort them! For this reason, it is worth investing in a tap & die set with a good case that keeps everything in place. Many taps and dies come in a steel case with a plastic insert to hold the numerous pieces.

Usage

A tap and die set is useful to repair items when the original fixing components are damaged. Taps & dies can be used to repair appliances, cars and furniture and for general hobby use.

Conclusion

If you are a handy person that likes to repair home appliances or vehicles then a tap and die set is a very useful tool. Many items have very specific parts that are not easily purchased so a tap and die set allows you to make new components exactly to the size you require. Tap and die sets also allow you to clean up corroded or worn threads to make them useful again.

Tap and Die Set FAQs

Firstly, confirm the size and depth of thread you need. Sizes can be measured using a thread gauge. Consult a chart to determine the correct size of the drill and tap. Your tap & set may come with a chart or these can be found online.

Next drill a hole of the correct diameter and depth.

Secure the object you are working on and apply a generous amount of lubricant to the surface being tapped.

Insert the handle into the tap then hold the tap so that it is perfectly in line with the hole and turn it clockwise. You will feel strong resistance as you turn.

Rotate the tap clockwise a few times, then reverse the process to bring the tap back out so that you can clear the tap of chips and loose material. You should do this every couple of turns. Add more lubricant if necessary.

Once the tap has reached the correct depth, back it out of the hole, clear out the chips and wipe away any excess lubricant.

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