Comments on: Hands-On: GearWrench’s 75-Pc. Tap and Die Set http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:08:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Tracy Allen http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-228830 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:43:58 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-228830 Woops I it's a 75 piece set that's the KD 3887. Woops I it’s a 75 piece set that’s the KD 3887.

]]> by: Tracy Allen http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-228828 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:41:50 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-228828 Looks like the KD 3885 40 pc tap & dye set at http://www.denlorstools.com/ GearWrench has really came out with some neat stuff lately. Looks like the KD 3885 40 pc tap & dye set at http://www.denlorstools.com/ GearWrench has really came out with some neat stuff lately.

]]> by: Huda Swithun http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-133410 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 20:59:10 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-133410 they'll have you suicidal suicida. Huda Swithun. they’ll have you suicidal suicida. Huda Swithun.

]]> by: Stuey http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-91122 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 20:54:32 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-91122 I managed to pick up the 5 piece handle set at Sears a few weeks ago for $30. After trying it a few times, I love it! I do find it a bit annoying to back out the tap due to the ratcheting mechanism, but that's something I could live with since the overall usage is a wonderful experience. I managed to pick up the 5 piece handle set at Sears a few weeks ago for $30. After trying it a few times, I love it!

I do find it a bit annoying to back out the tap due to the ratcheting mechanism, but that’s something I could live with since the overall usage is a wonderful experience.

]]> by: Ron http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-48356 Sun, 08 Apr 2007 14:44:31 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-48356 1) The ratcheting action is not a reason to buy this set. I have a set of ratcheting tap wrenches and 99% of the time I use them in the non-ratcheting mode. Every time you have to back the tap out you have to switch modes, gets to be no fun very fast. 2) It is much more economical and practical to buy only the taps and dies you will actually use. Probably 75% of these taps will never be used. Buy what you need when you need it and buy a quality tool, you'll be better off in the long run. 1) The ratcheting action is not a reason to buy this set. I have a set of ratcheting tap wrenches and 99% of the time I use them in the non-ratcheting mode. Every time you have to back the tap out you have to switch modes, gets to be no fun very fast.
2) It is much more economical and practical to buy only the taps and dies you will actually use. Probably 75% of these taps will never be used. Buy what you need when you need it and buy a quality tool, you’ll be better off in the long run.

]]> by: Chuck Cage http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-47896 Sat, 07 Apr 2007 17:26:53 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-47896 Bill: This is a great reason to own a decent 115-piece drill set. You'll hear some argument that you should <em>never</em> buy anything but the best drills available, but I've always believed that you're better off having a lesser bit that'll work for what you need <em>right now</em> than having just a few great bits -- that are useless because you don't have the size you need. You can find a decent 115-piece (all lettered, numbered, and fractional sizes) for under $100 (and sometimes as low as $50). At those prices they won't last forever, but you can always replace the ones that fail with better bits; they're the ones you're using a lot anyway, right? Bill: This is a great reason to own a decent 115-piece drill set. You’ll hear some argument that you should never buy anything but the best drills available, but I’ve always believed that you’re better off having a lesser bit that’ll work for what you need right now than having just a few great bits — that are useless because you don’t have the size you need.

You can find a decent 115-piece (all lettered, numbered, and fractional sizes) for under $100 (and sometimes as low as $50). At those prices they won’t last forever, but you can always replace the ones that fail with better bits; they’re the ones you’re using a lot anyway, right?

]]> by: Bill http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-47893 Sat, 07 Apr 2007 17:18:13 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-47893 I wish these came with the right complement of drills. I wish these came with the right complement of drills.

]]> by: Nick Carter http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-43314 Sat, 31 Mar 2007 23:55:44 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/31/hands-on-gearwrenchs-75-pc-tap-and-die-set/#comment-43314 If you buy "real" HSS split adjustable dies (which adjust so you can get a thread dead on) and "gun" or spiral fluted taps (which eject the chips out the front or the back of the hole depending on the style, so you don't have to back up every couple of revolutions), you will never go back to the rethreading style in the gearwrench set. I'm sure they're good, but you can do a lot better if you are going to thread a lot of holes. Heck, look into fluteless or form taps as well - they don't cut but cold forge the threads! Great for tiny sizes as they're a lot stronger. And then get a tapping head (Tapmatic) for your drill press... If you buy “real” HSS split adjustable dies (which adjust so you can get a thread dead on) and “gun” or spiral fluted taps (which eject the chips out the front or the back of the hole depending on the style, so you don’t have to back up every couple of revolutions), you will never go back to the rethreading style in the gearwrench set. I’m sure they’re good, but you can do a lot better if you are going to thread a lot of holes. Heck, look into fluteless or form taps as well - they don’t cut but cold forge the threads! Great for tiny sizes as they’re a lot stronger.

And then get a tapping head (Tapmatic) for your drill press…

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