Howdy folks,
I a software guy groping around in E.E. and M.E. in my spare time. I have limited access to a machine shop at work, but I want to be able to do some things at home since I generally end up doing it at night and on the weekends.
I've looked around at my local hardware stores and on the Internet, but the sets that I find tend to be too large; e.g. targeted at automobile engines (SAE?).
Here's what I think I know so far:
- I shouldn't go with a cheap set; the taps will just break (does any manufacturer guarantee/replace their taps?)
- I'm thinking that if I *either* get a standard/english/imperial *or* metric set, I'll just end up needing the sizes I don't have, so I'm looking to get one set with both, or two complimentary sets.
- The work I'm doing is generally smaller stuff - the kind of thing you'd find in small electronic and electromechanical appliances. I think this means I should be looking for a set with 2-56 to 1/4-inch UNC threads.
- Then there's the question of coarse threads vs. fine. Seems like if I had to choose, coarse would be the way to go, but as with std vs. metric (above), I worry about constantly needing the one that I don't have.
- The materials I use are primarily aluminum, various plastics, and occasionally steel or brass.
Can anyone recommend a good choice in tap and die set(s), and an online vendor (or a B&M store in San Diego)?
Thanks in advance!
-Mr. INTJ San Diego, CA