i am doing some preliminary research on a comprehensive metric tap & die set, or rethreading set, for my honda. i have several bolts/nuts that have been cross-threaded/stripped/mashed that i would rather repair than replace. reading through my helms, i see sizes like 12x1.25 for ball joints, 12x1.5 for lugs, etc. but when i look at sets (using sears & harbor freight) i usually see one or the other.

i have never owned, purchased, or used these tools before, and could use some guidance. is it worth it? do they even work? i am not loyal to any brand of tool (but have lots of sears gift certificates left from christmas) and would like to spend as little as possible.

thanks in advance.

 

from the snap-on website:

Product Specifications
Stock Number RTD48
Name Kit, Master Rethreading, U.S./Metric
Price** $82.60
DESCRIPTION Rethreading Kit

NOTE: Rethreading taps and dies renew existing threads; they are not for hardened threads; they are not for cutting new threads.

can i safely assume our suspension hardware is hardened? does this apply only to 'rethreading' sets?

 

this is the one you're going to want

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog...store

several companies make variations of the first 2 sets listed, if you don't think you'll be using it too much, harbor freight has similar and larger sets for half the price.

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...etype=

 

The HF tap-and-die sets suck.

 

I have the super cheap set from Harbor Freight. It has worked well enough I suppose. Gotten me out of a jam a few times.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The HF tap-and-die sets suck.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I actually have one (one of the cheapest ones they carry) I don't use it very often but I find that most/all of the taps+dies don't fit right, or are a little too large (I don't know of the quality of their 'higher end' sets), but they seem to get the job done. Snap-On will definately be my next set (since all my tools are snap-on and I have a HF T&D set.. )

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The HF tap-and-die sets suck.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've come to the conclusion that everything HF makes sucks. I've bought my last POS tool from them. Well, I suppose I'll go back if I need some more cheap wrenches - but that is all.

 

As long as it doesnt have moving parts, its ok

My HF prybarz kick ***

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As long as it doesnt have moving parts, its ok

My HF prybarz kick ***</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's a good way to think about it. I've more than gotten my ~$10 worth out of that 4-pack of prybars.

As far as taps go... I've been buying them one at a time from Sears as I need them. I know this is the most expensive way to go about it, but I don't have room for the tools I have as it is.

 

My HF gear wrenches suck alot of ***, but they were good at first.

HF compression tester took a dump after using it twice.

HF hammers work just fine

HF Impact sockets are fine

My Chicago (bought at HF) Impact wrench has been fantastic....

I think the trend is, if its got moving parts, it better be made by someone else

 

I would suggest buying the individual taps and retapping the holes. Most OEM bolts aren't that expensive, so I would just buy new bolts.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Steppin Razor &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Most OEM bolts aren't that expensive</TD></TR></TABLE>

????

Most suspension bolts - $9-$12
Set of Head studs - $100-$120
Etc

Thats not inexpensive to me

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">HF Impact sockets are fine</TD></TR></TABLE>
You have a short memory

 

i wasn't aware that sears sold the dies individually. off the top of my head, i know for sure i have a ball joint that is in serious trouble, and i am not replacing that until the joint itself dies (castle nut threads fine on other joints). i have at least one front wheel stud that is marginal, and i am not about to get into how hard it is to replace those (apparently a 6th gen civic specific problem). buying the dies for those two alone, and the others as necessary, may be the way to go.

you guys are always suggesting hf stuff, so i figured i'd try there. couldn't believe my eyes when i saw a set for $10! i knew it was too good to be true.

one day i too will have all snap on tools - for now it is craftsman (mom-in-law works at sears!) i just returned a busted torque wrench there, 360 days old, and got it replaced & upgraded for free.

thanks for your help.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The HF tap-and-die sets suck.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I had to use my $9.99 tap set today. Worked decent I guess.

My brand new ebay header $120 shipped needed to be rethreaded. Guess I might want to spend a bit more for a quality part next time.