GEARWRENCH77 Piece SAE/Metric Ratcheting Tap and Die Set -3887

I had read the reviews here before purchasing and especially took note of the people that reported some gouges in some of the machined taps with this set. I ordered anyway for a couple of reasons. First, this is no small company. It is part of Apex Tools that owns Lufkin Tapes, Crescent Tools, Wiss cutting tools, Nicholson Files and more etc that go back over 100 years. I have all of those tool Brands at home and they have served me exceptionally well for 30-40 years. So, I figured I'd give this set a go and if it was totally unacceptable, I could always return it (thanks to Amazon's service). Bottom-line, its not going back...I'm a home/hobbyist user of Tap and Dies, but I can understand why a Professional who uses these tools in a daily business setting can feel differently about what they need. But for my use at home, this is a great set, and for what you get, a very good price. I could not touch an equally configured Irwin/Hansen set for this price point. I have also used this set and it does a very acceptable job for my needs.Regarding the reports of the small gouges in some of the larger Taps, yes I have those too. But it is only on a couple of the Taps, the gouges are small, and the gouges are not on the cutting edges of the Taps. The cutting edges are clean, in tact and sharp. The very few gouges are on the threaded following surfaces, so that problem (for me) will not affect the tool's ability to cut proper threads. I did find that I needed to clean out a few loosely attached burrs from a couple of the Taps when they were machined. A small brass brush or even the "thread gauges" that come with this set easily dispatched those burrs.I have already used some of the Taps and they cut very well. The accessories that come with this set are quite remarkable and they work well too. I especially like the Tap Adapters that come with this set and they way they lock into the T-wrenches. My only complaint about the T-wrenches is that I can't lock the ratchet into place. You either go forward or backward via the selector flip/switch. If you have done much tapping of harder metals, you know that going forward and back quite often is needed to dislodge the burrs that you cut. I can accomplish it with the flip-lever, it would just be easier (at times) if the T-wrench didn't ratchet. But for cutting soft metal, I love that ratchet and the ability to move the handle without changing my grip is very appreciated.Overall, I think this set is a winner. I understand that it is not an Irwin/Hansen or even higher quality set. But for my use, that is OK and I expect to get many years of use from this set. I already have a much smaller, very cheap quality Tap and Die set that I've owned for 30+ years. Take care of your tools, use some finesse vs brute force, use cutting fluid, etc. and you can get many years even from a lesser quality Tap and Die set. :^)One update (4/23/16): I also purchased the Gator Tools V-Tap Guides that help keep the tap vertical (especially when starting the threads). The Gator Tools Tap Guide is a well made/machined part that earns a full 5-stars all by itself. Unfortunately, for this particular Tap set from GearWrench, on their smaller Taps (the Metric M5 and smaller) and (the Standard #10 and smaller), these Taps will not pass through the Big Gator Tools Tap Guide. That is because GearWrench makes the barrel (above the cutting portion of the Tap) slightly larger. Because of that design on their smaller Taps, it prevents the Tap from passing through the Big Gator Tape Guide. I've looked at these sizes in the Irwin Taps and it appears that Irwin maintains the barrel diameter so that it is not larger than the cutting portion diameter of the Tap. If something like this is important to you, then it may be worth considering Irwin vs GearWrench. I'm still happy with my GearWrench set and have some older Taps that will pass through the Big Gator tool just fine. Just thought I'd mention it as a difference for those considering this GearWrench set.

The GEARWRENCH 114 Piece Ratcheting Tap and Die Set is a game-changer for threading and repair work. With both SAE and Metric sizes, it’s incredibly versatile, and the ratcheting T-wrench makes threading smooth and efficient. The tools are well-made and durable, and the set comes neatly organized in a sturdy case. Perfect for professionals and DIYers alike—highly recommend for anyone needing a reliable, all-in-one tap and die set!

Well built and beautiful. All things work properly and smooth. Would buy again if needed.

Good quality and nice case. Only thing is it does not have m12x1.25 and that's very common on what I work on.

I've purchased a number of different less expensive tap sets over the years, and I've been very disappointed with the quality of all of them. While this set was far more expensive than any other tap and die set I've purchased, the quality is vastly better -- and this Gearwrench set costs way less than similar big brand name sets.Nothing disappointing about this product. Everything is very well made, taps and dies are far more precise than less expensive products, likely on par more expensive products based my experience with other Gearwrench tools. In particular, the handles are very high quality and hold onto the taps and dies very well -- an area of serious weakness in every other cheaper set I have bought with which the handles tend to come loose while you are in the middle of cutting. No such problem with this Gearwrench set.

I purchased this tap and die set in a pinch, since I had to make a repair on my car and realized I did not have a good set of metric taps or dies. I debated whether or not I should go to the local chinese-discount-tool store and buy the cheap set to finish this one job, or spend quite a bit more on this set from a known reputable brand and have it last. Boy, am I glad I spent the money...even if this set didn't break the bank. This set should last me a lifetime, and metric is the future don't you know! (Also there's a lifetime warranty). It's great value for money.This tap and die set has been used many times since I purchased it, and it still looks just like new. The taps and dies themselves are of excellent quality, similar to a Snap-on set I have borrowed from work many times. I was able to even tap threads into the hardened end portion of a wrench without the tap breaking! I'm very impressed.Another thing that I did not know before I purchased was that the tap and die handles themselves are ratcheting. I've never had a tap and die set before that had this feature, and I tell you what: I'll never own one without it again. Having the handles ratchet makes tapping straight holes SO EASY, and it makes the traditional struggle of fumbling with a die handle non-existent. Even if you decide not to buy this specific set, buy a set with ratcheting handles. That said, the ratchets themselves were of very high quality, and only needed a few degrees to turn properly, it works excellent if you have a tight space where you wouldn't be able to turn a tap normally (I used to use a pair of locking pliers, not anymore!)The case is excellent quality too, and holds all of the pieces securely (this matters to me because my "garage" is often a parking lot somewhere, wherever I am broken down or helping a friend with a repair).In all, great tap and die set (if you're in the market for metric sizes only), and I highly recommend it.