Left hand taps, dies

Make them on a lathe, I have made my own taps and dies from silver steel in the past, heat treatment is the key.

Joules

...

Someone will, no doubt, point you to Tracy Tools who supply any size LH at +200% but when you consider 100% is only a pound or two, it's not so expensive after all.

Alternatively, try

I have not tried it but I have read that removing the thread crests from 2 opposite sides of a 4 flute tap or die will permit it to thread left or right handed. Makes sense as the opposite flutes are exactly one-half pitch apart in both right and left handed threads and the helix angle doesn't amount to much with a narrow flute. I think most small taps and dies have no clearance angle so they can be turned either way. Seems it might be a bit hard to get started but I think it will work. Don Young

It isn't necessary to use LH threads to make:

handles.

But paired LH/RH double the effective pitch. It also looks better, since the "waste" thread protrudes from both sides of the clamp, in a more symmetric fashion.

You're thinking about toolmakers clamps, I'd guess.

BugBear

No lathe :-(

BugBear

Eek! Their website is a disgrace, the more so for being made by a (supposed) specialist.

These web-technicalities aside, the only mention of LH threads is on the main page, and on their sets page.

No mention of prices for single taps/dies that I could find.

I'd rather do the mixed thread thing if possible. But thanks for the pointer.

BugBear

Ask for their catalogue, it's a lot more comprehensive. Quite often, otherwise good firms have lousy websites.

Regards, Arthur G

You'll find Tracy Tools very helpful on the 'phone

AWEM

Until quite recently they ran print adverts saying they didn't take credit cards - only cheques. I've used them a few times in the past but only when they were at one of the exhibitions. The fact they have

I bought some stuff from them a few years ago - but I've tried them a few times since when we've needed slightly non-standard taps or dies at work, J&L have always beaten them (quite severely) on price and delivery. J&L are often worth a call, even if they don't list it they will usually be able to get it -and often for the next day.

Regards

Kevin

Their old web site was better, if not prettier. Unfortunately, small businesses who have to pay someone else to produce their sites can't always avoid morons using frontpage :-(.

ISTR their standard terms were/are HSS+100% LH+200%.

Mark Rand RTFM

Which soon starts to add up. I just bought two 30mm x 1.5 pitch taps, on list at £18.00 each but when you factor the HSS/GT in at 200% in their latest list, those two taps came to £75.00 inc postage.

When you consider that most suppliers J&L etc don't carry carbon taps any more this surcharge starts to get heavy.

I must admit they have got me out of the sh*te a few times on specials but note to self ask the price first. I have an account with Tracy and in the past I have had some good deals but times may be changing.

-- Regards,

John Stevenson Nottingham, England.

Visit the new Model Engineering adverts page at:-

I wonder if HSS/LH is +300% or +500%

(+100% is AKA x2 and +200% is AKA x3, so conceiveably HSS/LH could be x6 -eek!)

BugBear

Your quite right bugbear. I only had a very quick glance at

Pairing a LH & RH thread would certainly make them prettier but the downside is you reduce the clamping force for a given pitch.