Tap & die set (Mastercraft)

This article is about a tool that is no longer at Protospace.
Further information can be found below.

Usage Notes

Taps create threads in holes, to put bolts in
Dies create threads on bars, to put nuts on
Taps and Dies are brittle and fragile, do not force them
For tapping, use lookup table to determine size of hole to drill prior to tapping (will be smaller than bolt size)
For dies, use lookup table to determine size of the bar to use prior to threading (will be larger than die size)
For tapping, drill appropriate hole size first with normal metal bit
Place tap in tap wrench
Ensure tap is perfectly lined up with hole, angle is committed from start onward and slight offset will start but then break the tap several threads in. NEVER DO THIS.
Slowly rotate tap to begin cutting threads
Use appropriate thread cutting lubricant for material, see reference chart
Every 1/4 rotation of cutting, reverse tap one half rotation to break burr. If forgotten, tap will break. NEVER DO THIS. Tapping is a back-and-forth process
If tap ever binds or requires a sudden change in force, is lined up incorrectly, possibly all the way from the start. This is unfixable. DO NOT CONTINUE or apply more force, tap will break.
Ensure full threads are tapped by threading several full turns of the tap past the far side, if applicable.

Note - Tap set is in grey plastic, is in a blue case (a separate tap set is grey case with blue plastic).