86 Piece Tap and Die Set Bearing Steel SAE and Metric Tools, Titanium Coated with Metal Carrying Case

I have been getting by for about 20 years with a small 12 piece Craftsman set. I needed a 6 mm that I did not have so I finally broke down and bought this. I had previously looked at two SAE an MM Pittsburgh sets from Harbor Freight that individually were around $90 each and I wasn't completely sure I was going to like the quality. I read the reviews on this one and as soon as it showed up I tapped out my bicycle frame with that 6 mm tap. I was very impressed with how easily the tap worked, it did not seem to clog but I also use proper technique. I like the nice metal case that comes with it. Some people didn't like the plastic trays that the taps are in but I think they are fine. I like that when the lid is shut and you pick up the case you can do so without everything flying all over inside the case. All in all very happy with the set and I think you will be too. A side note for ANY tap set: Since taps are high carbon steel they are somewhat brittle in general and will be broken off in the hole if you don't go back-and-forth often to clear out the shavings. You must avoid too much turning pressure, more so the smaller the tap. If the tap feels like it is binding it is time to turn it back out. Also use a light lubricant.

I’ll have a general automotive or hardware need for a tap or die several times per year. I can usually borrow what I need from the small model shop at work or a buddy. For my latest project, I needed two dies that I thought would be in a common kit, but no one I knew had them. The cost of these two dies with a handle were about 50% the cost of this kit, so I figured I would double down and get the other 83 pieces. Glad I did. Now that I have them, I find a new need weekly. It is a definitely a quality set, but the case inserts could be improved. As an Average Joe, I can live with it. Here’s a couple of observations that may help : (1) Put the die tray on top. Mine has the finger grips for easy removal, but the tap tray does not (even though site photo shows them). My kit came with tap tray on top and it was tricky to remove (2) Expect a few of the smaller taps to fall out of position when carrying or storing case vertically. Leaving the clear, plastic covers on for storage will help. Again, site photo shows good fit for every piece, but that wasn’t the “case” for what I received.

Good quality pieces. Sub-par tray design and construction. As other reviewers mentioned, the trays are made of flimsy plastic that bends easily and very difficult to pull out of the case especially with the clear cover on. I made the following mods to address that issue. 1. I tossed the flimsy plastic covers. 2. I created two "Grab Tabs" on either side using Gorilla Tape (see photos). This makes it easier to lift the tray out of the case and the tape is thin enough to not cause issues when closing the case. 3. I made a couple of foam inserts out of craft foam (available at any Walmart or hobby store) to cover the trays in order to keep the pieces in place once the case is closed and vertical. The foam sheets are just the right thickness to keep the pieces in place but not too thick to cause issues in closing the case. Easy and cheap fix for an annoying problem for an otherwise excellent tool.

I own an old house and 3 old cars (the cars are all German and metric) and being able to tap new threads and clean up old, beat up threads is pretty important. I'm working on a 1961 car now and had the set outside with me over the weekend re-tapping threads as I went along. TONS of taps and dies, including metric; three tap wrenches and a nice metal (yes, metal) case. Others have noted the tightness of fit with the trays and they are correct, they are super tight. I used the helpful hint of putting some painters tape on the ends of the top tray to make handles and that works very well. So far no issues at all, the taps cut true and none have broken; the dies also seem pretty heavy duty. I've re-threaded a number of screws after re-tapping the holes and they all work great.

This is a nice set for the money. The storage isn't the greatest, but it rarely if ever is, unless you pay a TON for a set that you are then afraid to use. I try to keep things like this together, keep all the original packaging, so they are available when needed. I therefore have to hide things like this from others, so that they don't throw away packaging, miss-treat the tools, and then complain when tools are not available. This set has the taps in one tray, covered by a clear top, and the dies in a second tray, covered by an identical top. It's not easy to get the nested trays out of the metal box. Picky observation, but there you have it. The plastic that the trays are made of is kind of thinnish. But then back again to the nice price point of the set... Good quality, useful set. I'd buy it again.

I'd used the set to clean threads once, but the other night I wanted to see what these things could really do, so I got out my cutting oil, took a pile of assorted nuts and bolts, matched up nuts and bolts the same size but with mismatched threads, and using a bench vise to hold them, cut new threads in the nuts to match them with bolts. I did probably fifty or so in a wide range of sizes and materials, and not once did the taps bind, the threads were crisp, and the taps stayed sharp and continued to cut crisp threads after repeated use, and had no trouble cutting even stainless and hardened steel. I've still only used the dies to clean threads, but I have no doubt they preform just as well as the taps when cutting new threads. I will try to remember to update after I use the dies for cutting.

I have used around 20 taps in this set. I haven't experienced any problems. The metal case holds taps nicely and securely. Taps don't fall out of place when cover is closed and is carried around. The plastic trays are hard to grab to remove from the case. The plastic is thin and kinda flimsy, but it does hold the taps in place. The flimsiness makes it difficult to grab and remove with your fingers. A thicker, stiffer tray with grabs would be better. However, what is important, the taps are great.

The tools seem to be good, but the storage kit may as well be a paper bag.

I used this set within the first day of receiving it and am so glad I got. The quality is excellent and did a fantastic job without suffering any damage whatsoever. A great purchase.

Great product

Used a tap and it worked but it seemed to get a little damage, looks like the metal isn't the best quality.

This is a tool that most people will only use occasionally but is complete enough to cover most everything. The metal case is sturdy enough to last years and the plastic internal display makes it easy to find what you need.

I use this tap and die set for softer steel and aluminium mostly. They dull quickly and will break on the hard stuff.