who makes good taps?

[54ny77]

I don't often need 'em, so an Irwin set will last me awhile. But I've been doing a lot of drilling & tapping lately and that Irwin metal is soft like buttah. I've gone through a couple already, drilling into cast aluminum.

Got any tips/sources for brands of really hard, durable steel taps?

[GScot]

Look at MSC direct and McMaster. They have what you need and can provide some good information on intended application of each type.

[11.4]

If it's hardened aluminum, it can actually dull taps pretty quickly.

But it sounds like you're just using HSS taps. Get TiN ones. McMaster or MSC catalogues will have a variety at different price points. You get what you pay for.

One thing also is, get the right kind of tap. If you're using a bottom tap to start a thread in a boss or something, you're going to kill it quickly. Get some education in different tap types. And I assume you're using a good cutting fluid?

[parco]

OSG are some of the best taps I've ever used.

[54ny77]

thanks for the tips. :)