Lidl Die set

[sierraman]

Can't go wrong with this at £8. Might get me out of the shit one day.

[Station]

Do they have 10.5?

I have a 'Blue Point' one, and I think I actually blunted one of the taps cutting a thread in an aluminium gearbox casing. I don't want to write the gearbox off by using possibly poo tools.

[cort16]

Lidl Set Die is one of my favourite bond films

[Richard]

I have a Lidl /Aldi tap and die set, I mostly use it to clean up existing threads. I would probably buy a more expensive set if I was cutting new threads in something important.

[Jim Bell]

Lidl Set Die is one of my favourite bond films

Amazing.

Well played.

[Junkman]

I bet it's OMGMETRIK.

[sierraman]

I'll be using it for as you say cleaning up threads or in an emergency. I'll probably not be using it to create a unique cylinder head. For £8 its worth having in the shed to bail you out. It's got a 10.2 biggest in it.

[Tamworthbay]

'Can't go wrong' - well until one snaps in a critical casting and you are bolloxed. Probably ok for cleaning existing threads as mentioned above.

[Crusty Sills]

I was scratching around for an M8 tap a couple of weeks ago, borrowed 1 in the end but this looks a handy set for occasional light work.

Think ill get a set, not had any probs with Lidl/Aldi tools.

I r not tool snob!!!!!

[dieselassist]

I got the ALDI version of these in the flat grey steel box - tap n die set.... possibly the best set ive bought - cutting thread used to fill me with dread, but the aldi ones are CLASS! - used the set again to cut new threads in the Disco's door hinge 'in door' threaded  receiving plates, as a previous owner/mechanic had cross threaded all the mounting holes, , fitted wrong bolts etc - literally  cut n renewed all 6 threads while the weld fest on the door frame itself was cooling... the seem to be designed with the skin flint mechanic in mind as the cut the threads beautifully with old used engine oil as the lubricant....

[sierraman]

'Can't go wrong' - well until one snaps in a critical casting and you are bolloxed. Probably ok for cleaning existing threads as mentioned above.

As I've said I'll be using it as an emergency. By the time I'm tapping a new thread into a 'critical casting' its getting desperate anyway, so nothing lost in trying.

 

Tried it out tonight on a typical car component, an old alloy EGR valve that I use for trying stuff like this out, drilled the depth of the thread out then tapped new thread in no bother. All the same not sure I'd fancy my chances on something harder.

[derskine]

I think you'd be hard pushed to snap one in alloy, aluminium or cast iron, provided you are competent with a tap...

I've not managed to snap a tap yet, years ago I bought the cheapest set I could from ebay, and used it for various threads in cast iron and steel.

I managed to wangle a box of old Goliath taps from work since though.

[sierraman]

I think you'd be hard pushed to snap one in alloy, aluminium or cast iron, provided you are competent with a tap...

I've not managed to snap a tap yet, years ago I bought the cheapest set I could from ebay, and used it for various threads in cast iron and steel.

I managed to wangle a box of old Goliath taps from work since though.

Which ironically is what most castings are made of on a car. I was dead proud of the results I got with the set on the alloy casting though, by the time I'd done it looked pro! I'm guessing its practice makes perfect.

[derskine]

We use different size tap wrenches at work according to the tap size. 

Usually in sets you only get one size of tap wrench, if it's held at both ends you're putting way more leverage on it than you should be - for a small tap, which is probably why it would lead to snapping in a soft metal. I always hold the wrench nearer the centre if using a big one with a small tap.

Steel is probably hit and miss, I would prefer a good quality tap.

[Station]

I reckon the tabloids should use variations on the 'Tap And Die' headline when Bruce Forsyth passes away.

[M'coli]

It's not a tap wrench...it's a dwang

[Taff]

Any thoughts on the suitability for this budget set with regards to cleaning up existing threads?

[sierraman]

Yes you would be fine I think. So long as you use a bit of oil with it, and don't go in on the piss. Advice that can be applied to a lot of things.

[jonny69]

I don't think they're likely to snap. If it's anything, they won't be particularly sharp and they will go dull quickly. They might also be tool steel which is a bit outdated these days and it goes rusty quite quickly. Good quality taps are made of high speed steel (HSS) which is basically stainless, but it holds its edge a lot longer and it's a bit more resilient to abuse.

 

Just use plenty of grease or WD40 when you're cutting, don't cut too aggressively and they'll probably be fine. The fact that the drills are bright in colour rather than black coated suggests they're HSS, so maybe the taps are too.