IRWIN 117 Piece Tap and Die Review
Here's all the taps and dies in the 117-piece IRWIN set. The drill bits for the taps are in the lid of the case out of frame. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
IRWIN 117-Piece Tap and Die Set
I've used taps and dies for years. A machinist uses them all the time as he makes things from metal.
The IRWIN 117-Piece Tap and Die set is a beauty. You'll lust after this wonderful assortment of tools.
I'm a contractor and I use them primarily to clean up threads on nuts and bolts. Nuts, bolts and internal threads on things that got damaged at the job site.
Keep IRWIN Taps and Dies Oiled
Each piece in the set was coated with oil upon opening it. Oil is good. You don't want the parts to rust.
Keep yours oiled all the time. If you need to get oil off your hands, use Lava hand soap. Use Stain Solver to get oil out of your clothes.
IRWIN Taps
Taps are used to cut threads on the inside of a drilled hole in an object. You use a specific-sized drill bit that matches the tap.
These are just a few of the precision taps in the IRWIN set. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
IRWIN Dies
Dies are used to cut threads on a round rod made from just about any material - metal, plastic, wood or ???
These are just a few of the many dies in the set. Both metric and SAE threads are possible. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
Behind that big IRWIN lettering you'll discover all sorts of goodies including all the drill bits you need for the taps. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
These are the high-speed cobalt steel drill bits matched to the IRWIN taps. Drill SLOW and use oil while drilling to keep the bits in great shape. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
These two cards are your road maps. The one on the left tells you what drill bit is for what tap. The card on the right helps you find the different taps and dies - assuming you put them back where they belong! Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
This is what a die does. You're looking at a 1/4-inch bolt that now has squeaky-clean threads! Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
This is an IRWIN tap doing it's job. It could also have been used to cut threads in a hole drilled in a piece of plate steel. You'll discover SO MANY uses for IRWIN taps and dies when you own your own set! Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
Summary
I love this IRWIN tap and die set. I can tell you that it's going to be proudly displayed in my workshop. The best part is I'm going to pass it down to my grandkids. Yes, the taps and dies will last for decades if you just care for them.