Your favorite tools for wrenching / tech tools for special applications
- Thread starter Jhelms
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mtbtim
Elite Member
Could you dudes suggest a good Tap and Die Set? I have the Harbor Freight kit, and while it does work, my biggest complaint is the sizes aren't etched into the taps and dies. It's written on the tools and the writing can rub off making it hard or impossible to read. [MENTION=69868]LittleCaesar[/MENTION], I'm sure you have a recommendation for me.
MN4runnerman
Senior Member
The Irwin set or Century Drill(company name) tap and die set. I have the Irwin as a base set then I get the individual taps and dies from Century for the oddball/hard to find stuff.
Hopeless Diamond
New member
Tap & Die set, Gearwrench makes one with a ratcheting handle http://www.gearwrench.com/cutting-t...heting-tap-and-die-drive-tool-set-metric.html
Or, are you looking for a thread restoring set (not cutting new threads, just trying to fix without cutting metal)
https://www.tooltopia.com/lang-tool...ampaign=PLA&scid=scbplpKAS972&sc_intid=KAS972
Or, are you looking for a thread restoring set (not cutting new threads, just trying to fix without cutting metal)
https://www.tooltopia.com/lang-tool...ampaign=PLA&scid=scbplpKAS972&sc_intid=KAS972
LittleCaesar
New member
Sort of. I have the one below, nice for DIY and should work well for what you want. With taps, you get what you pay for. If you were able to buy a set off a tool truck, usually ones that break that are covered under a lifetime warranty. For the few I have broken I have gone to the local Oreilys for replacements and they are made in Taiwan. For the set, try Fleabay or Amazon for the best pricing.
The Gearwrench I have personally never liked only because with its ratcheting mechanism you lose tension when turning the ratchet. Nothing more than a personal preference here.
As one old machinist told me though, all cutting metal today (drill bits, punches, etc) is softer in compared to what was offered in the 20th century. He had bits and punches dating to the 60s.
76-pc Machine Screw / Fractional / Metric Tap & Hex Die Set - Tools - IRWIN TOOLS
4Runner4Leon
Senior Member
I splurged for a Snap-On tap & die set, only because I got a killer deal on Craigslist. I don't think it's worth the premium price otherwise.
https://store.snapon.com/Metric-Set-41-pc-Metric-Tap-and-Die-Set-P630632.aspx
https://store.snapon.com/Metric-Set-41-pc-Metric-Tap-and-Die-Set-P630632.aspx
mtbtim
Elite Member
Makes me think my best choice might be finding an older used set for sale maybe at an estate sale, garage sale or on Ebay.
MN4runnerman
Senior Member
If you want a ratcheting function then get this to use with your ratchet itself. It’s good for tight spots. Lisle Corporation
Gearwrench makes good tools I just look elsewhere for taps and dies
Gearwrench makes good tools I just look elsewhere for taps and dies
Hopeless Diamond
New member
349k miles with a valve cover leak for apparently 150k of it. This comes in real handy for the skid plates...
SodiumFlouride
New member
I just made this tool after watching the Timmy the Toolman video on changing out the drum brakes (and another video for removing the drums).
The wire needs to be about five to eight inches long for good grip where the important part is that white section painted on (and scratched into) the wire at 1-3/8 inches up from the end, and which lasts for 3/8 inch.
You push the wire into the drum access port until you get to the beginning of the white area, and then you push it until the white area disappears, and then with your other hand, you adjust the star adjuster downward (always down, no matter what side of the vehicle you're working on) to pull the shoes in enough to pull the drum off with the special two-inch long metric drum-removal bolts.
The wire needs to be about five to eight inches long for good grip where the important part is that white section painted on (and scratched into) the wire at 1-3/8 inches up from the end, and which lasts for 3/8 inch.
You push the wire into the drum access port until you get to the beginning of the white area, and then you push it until the white area disappears, and then with your other hand, you adjust the star adjuster downward (always down, no matter what side of the vehicle you're working on) to pull the shoes in enough to pull the drum off with the special two-inch long metric drum-removal bolts.
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SodiumFlouride
New member
SodiumFlouride
New member
02gixxersix
New member
Up until just recently my favorite tool was my Dewalt impact gun. However, after installing the lift and doing the timing belt on the T4R I decided I was done working with only hand tools. I bought a 60 gallon compressor, an Aircat stubby 1/2" impact, and some other assorted air tools (1/4 ratchet, 3/8 ratchet, air hammer, air cutoff, etc) and it's the best money I have ever spent. I just did the turbo swap on my truck in half the time it would have taken me with hand tools.
LittleCaesar
New member
Air tools are great, and if one has the piping run for such use, air tools can be fantastic. But knowing I won't be tripping over a hose keeps me reaching for cordless tools all day.
4Runner4Leon
Senior Member
I completely agree. After years of using air tools, they now sit idle as the 18V Li-Ion cordless impacts have completely replaced them with insane amounts of torque. The advantage of not having to deal with an air hose is huge.
I only use air tools for pumping up tires, blowing off dirt/dust, and painting.
02gixxersix
New member
I guess it depends what you are doing with them. Even my stubby Aircat makes very very short work of what would have taken everything my Dewalt had, if it was able to break it at all. The Dewalt was also way too big to fit anywhere. I haven't had any issues with the hose annoying me yet. The electric stuff is also way more expensive than it needs to be and the little guns are so weak they are about worthless IMO. I do need a paint gun and a sander, though.
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theesotericone
New member
That. Each tool has it's place. The more tools you have the easier tasks become. I could probably do everything I need to with 1/4 of the tools I own. The other 3/4 just make certain things way faster or easier.
fourfive
Senior Member
For cleaning threads I use the Kastar 971 thread restorer kit. From what I read Kastar makes this same kit for craftsman & snap on. I think Kastar goes by Lang tools now.
I rarely need to cut new threads but when the occasion comes up I use Irwin Hanson 26377.
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