Taps - INTERESTING UPDATE!!!!!

[Longknife]

I recently ordered a set of those o/size nipple taps from a well known M/loader supplier. When I received them the new taps were rusty. I returned them and told them I would like a NEW shiney set. They refunded my money and told me they were "all like that" Of course I had to eat the shipping both ways!!

I searched on line and found another well known M/L supplier and e-mailed them. I was assured that their taps were NOT rusty. I then ordered a set and guess what?? Yep, just as bad as the first set. I e-mailed them and was told "return them if you are not happy!!! Now I have run out of options for a set of these taps, Would you pay $83.90 for a set of rusty taps? Here is the second set!

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[Woodstock]

Absolutely NOT! 
At that price they should be of better quality. Not that the rust would really dampen the performance and intended use, it’s just the principal of the thing. I get mine as needed mostly from Sears close to my house. If they do not have the size I need, I order from MBS. Never had this problem with either.   

[keweenaw]

Call http://www.toolsavings.com/default.aspx?page=home  they have oversize taps in a wide range of increments.  Their stuff is good quality and the prices are usually pretty good.

Tom

[Longknife]

Guys, Thanks for the suggestions but this  set of taps containes five 1/4 28 oversize taps, .255 .260 .265 .270 and .275. They are especialy made for taping out worn nipple seat threads and o/s niples are available. Sears offers no o/s taps and all  other tool sources I have checked offer .255 and .260 only.....Still stuck with these rusty taps...The question I have is why would two BIG M/L suppliers try to sell these?  The taps appear to be well made but apparently were not lubed sufficently to prevent rusting .....Ed

[T*O*F]

The question I have is why would two BIG M/L suppliers try to sell these?

a.  They are probably obtained from the same wholesaler and were a special run.
B.  They never opened the box to examine them.
3.  They are not a fast moving item.
9.  The box looks to be of the NOS variety.
X.  All the wholesaler's inventory is probably rusted too.
xi.  Clean them up and use them.  By the time you need to use them again they will probably have re-rusted sitting in your toolbox.

And the final answer is, "Order them from Snap On.  Everyone knows their tools last forever."

[Longknife]

TOF, I agree with almost everything you stated except that I do not let my tools rust. It is too simple to oil them after use. Also I havent checked but I really doubt that Snap On has an oversize nipple seat threading set? Ed

[Beaverman]

Try Enco

[Mark Elliott]

I just checked MSC and they only have H1-H4 and H11(+.005") in 1/4" - 28 hand taps.   If they don't carry it, you probably aren't going to be able to get it.  I think TOF is correct in his assessment of the situation. 

[billd]

I don't know exactly what + size your looking for but the below link will make any size you want, may have it in stock.  If you only want one it will be pricey.  Their quantity price decreases quickly.  My shop uses a lot of their taps. Usually we get a price for a special right over the phone. There's a girl there, don't remember her name, but she really knows her stuff.  And they are quick too.

http://www.natool.com/special-taps

Bill

[msw]

for what it's worth, i think that as a practical matter, if you clean them up they should work well.  put a light coat of oil on them after cleaning the rust off and you 'll be OK.

having said that, i completely agree that if you plonk down your hard earned, overtaxed, God- entrusted dollars for a new tool, the least you should get is something without surface rust.

just one guy's free opinion, and no doubt worth every penny.

[Pete Allan]

I just checked my Enco catolog and they have 1/4"-28 in H1 H2 H3 and H4 from $$1.65 to $2.59. I buy lots of their taps and never had any problem with them.

[oldiemkr]

The picture and the instructions on the box tell it all. Those are not everyday !/4 28 taps. They are for opening up existing 1/4 28 tapped holes to accept oversize nipples, probably the only use for them and made "special" for this purpose.

Standard taps are frequently available in plus.005"sizes, often used in oil or air hardening steels so the threads are easy to use after heat treat.

I've made taps like this out of oil hardening for special uses {instruments, old microscopes or telescopes etc}. These taps will get the job done but they are not as durable as HSS taps. Thats why the package says to use them in sequence so you are only taking out .005 at a time.

Those taps have straight flutes and it appears little or no taper on the back side ot the threads. That is very similar to taps made "in house " for one or two special sizes. The rust could be from just sitting in the case or as part of the heat treat for them. I think they probably are usable AS DIRECTED.

[Longknife]

I returned these taps with a nice note saying that I should get a refund INCLUDING all shipping charges since they were actualy rusty and not in the condition I was told. Here is the reply:

WE HAVE EXAMINANED THE RETURNED TAP SET AND FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. THEY ARE NOT HIGHLY POLISHED. BUT THEY ARE NOT RUSTY. WE ARE REFUNDING FOR THE TAP SET.

I am sending them a ling to this forum so they may join and explain to all of us dummies what those brown spots are, I for one am sure eager to know!!!!!!! Ed