Harbor Frieght Tap and Die Sets - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

blime81 · 08-07-2010, 08:08 PM

Ok so we all know that some Harbor Frieght Tools are ok and a whole bunch of them are just plain JUNK.

Anyone have one of their tap and die sets? I have a few taps (pricey ones) in common sizes but was thinking about picking one of their complete sets up but don't wanna waste the $ if I'm gonna be pulling broken taps out of everything.

Thought there was a thread on what was good there and what sucked? Maybe one of the other sites I visit....

Hottrucks · 08-07-2010, 08:41 PM

buy the junk taps then spend some ching on good drill bits..nuff said!!!

mbgmike · 08-07-2010, 08:53 PM

Why risk it? If they are made in china they are Junk. Everyone wants parts made in the USA but they are willing to buy junk tools. I have an old set from the 60's made in Japan and they are better anything made now over their. If you do quality work use quality tools. You will have a quality set for a long time if taken care of.

blime81 · 08-07-2010, 09:26 PM

I figured they probably arent the hottest thing on the block.

I'll just slowly add to my collection of good ones.

I'd love to find an old set at an estate sale or something.

crushermechanic · 08-07-2010, 11:11 PM

i have their big metric set and use it regularly. i have had no problems with them. they are pretty tough but when you get above m-16 there is plenty of metal there.

hotrod1 · 09-07-2010, 03:52 PM

I have both the SAE and Metric small sets. I bought them each for $10. They ware warranted for life and I have not had any issues with them. If they break they will give u a new one. My fear is that they will break in a hole, but so far they have not.

red69ss · 09-12-2010, 02:19 PM

I buy some things at harbor frieght but mostly consumables ,most of there stuff is junk. when it comes to taps and dies I buy them from msc. The problem with taps and dies are most people don't know the proper way to use them ,which results in breakage and anyone who's tried to remove a broken tap knows what a bear that can be.

LandonL · 09-12-2010, 03:09 PM

I have the set and haven't had any problems with it, I even tapped a hole in a cast iron exhaust manifold, didn't break. I would recommend it just depending on what you use it for.

cableguy0 · 09-19-2010, 01:57 AM

A guy i work with has the big set metric and standard all the way up to the sizes for spindle nuts. He swears by em. Says he hasnt had an issue with breakage and they have worked flawlessly. Im skeptical of them myself and havent personally used them.

08-07-2010, 08:08 PM	#1
blime81 Laid Lo Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oceanside CA Posts: 277	Harbor Frieght Tap and Die Sets Ok so we all know that some Harbor Frieght Tools are ok and a whole bunch of them are just plain JUNK. Anyone have one of their tap and die sets? I have a few taps (pricey ones) in common sizes but was thinking about picking one of their complete sets up but don't wanna waste the $ if I'm gonna be pulling broken taps out of everything. Thought there was a thread on what was good there and what sucked? Maybe one of the other sites I visit.... __________________ Semper Fi, Jeff '72 C10 - lays frame '07 Sand Rail - ecotec powered '05 2500HD - tows stuff '67 VW Bug - gas saver '01 Jeep TJ - rock crawler

08-07-2010, 08:41 PM	#2
Hottrucks Redefining LowBudget Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,538	Re: Harbor Frieght Tap and Die Sets buy the junk taps then spend some ching on good drill bits..nuff said!!! __________________ 1970 C10 CST fleetside 472 ....big dreams little cash... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335721 SunShine Syndicate.. Mikes Sandwich Fair Run OCT 8th 2011 http://www.thesandwichfair.com/html/...auto_show.html

08-07-2010, 08:53 PM	#3
mbgmike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR Posts: 5,415	Re: Harbor Frieght Tap and Die Sets Why risk it? If they are made in china they are Junk. Everyone wants parts made in the USA but they are willing to buy junk tools. I have an old set from the 60's made in Japan and they are better anything made now over their. If you do quality work use quality tools. You will have a quality set for a long time if taken care of.

08-07-2010, 09:26 PM	#4
blime81 Laid Lo Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oceanside CA Posts: 277	Re: Harbor Frieght Tap and Die Sets I figured they probably arent the hottest thing on the block. I'll just slowly add to my collection of good ones. I'd love to find an old set at an estate sale or something. __________________ Semper Fi, Jeff '72 C10 - lays frame '07 Sand Rail - ecotec powered '05 2500HD - tows stuff '67 VW Bug - gas saver '01 Jeep TJ - rock crawler

08-07-2010, 11:11 PM	#5
crushermechanic Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Walton Beach, Fl Posts: 361	Re: Harbor Frieght Tap and Die Sets i have their big metric set and use it regularly. i have had no problems with them. they are pretty tough but when you get above m-16 there is plenty of metal there.

09-07-2010, 03:52 PM	#6
hotrod1 56 - autocross Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Camarillo, Ca Posts: 1,121	Re: Harbor Frieght Tap and Die Sets I have both the SAE and Metric small sets. I bought them each for $10. They ware warranted for life and I have not had any issues with them. If they break they will give u a new one. My fear is that they will break in a hole, but so far they have not.

09-12-2010, 02:19 PM	#7
red69ss Burnouts are therapeutic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: lancaster, south carolina Posts: 852	Re: Harbor Frieght Tap and Die Sets I buy some things at harbor frieght but mostly consumables ,most of there stuff is junk. when it comes to taps and dies I buy them from msc. The problem with taps and dies are most people don't know the proper way to use them ,which results in breakage and anyone who's tried to remove a broken tap knows what a bear that can be. __________________ 1969 CHEVELLE SS 1972 C10 ALMOST DAILY DRIVER 1968 C10 RUSTBUCKET (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE) 1972 PONTIAC LEMANS CONVERTIBLE (WIFE'S CAR) "My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met." - Rodney Dangerfield "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Einstein

09-12-2010, 03:09 PM	#8
LandonL Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 440	Re: Harbor Frieght Tap and Die Sets I have the set and haven't had any problems with it, I even tapped a hole in a cast iron exhaust manifold, didn't break. I would recommend it just depending on what you use it for. __________________ ---\| 1967 GMC Stepside \|-- 250 L6 .030 over ---\| 1985 Porsche 944/1 \|--- Build Thread: '67 GMC http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378640 Last edited by LandonL; 09-12-2010 at 06:14 PM.

09-19-2010, 01:57 AM	#9
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: Harbor Frieght Tap and Die Sets A guy i work with has the big set metric and standard all the way up to the sizes for spindle nuts. He swears by em. Says he hasnt had an issue with breakage and they have worked flawlessly. Im skeptical of them myself and havent personally used them. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.



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