14 replies to this topic

[rodandtom]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a good quality tap and die set to use on my Mini?

I need to re-thread the bolts for on the front hubs to just remove some burrs, so I want to buy a good set that won't break the bank.

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks,

RodAndTom

[sonikk4]

We bought a reasonable set from machinemart for not a lot of cash.

http://www.machinema...pce-tap-die-set

[Notay]

i have the same - its good

[dow62]

Just cleaning threads up machinemart should be ok. Making ffrom scratch buy quality stuff like swiss tech, sherwoods and presto, and use adecent tapping fluid.

Edited by dow62, 30 July 2012 - 09:36 PM.

[dklawson]

As Dilligaf said, use the right tap drill and tapping fluid. When running the tap into a new hole, turn forwards about 1 turn, then back 1/2 turn to clear the chips. Repeat until you reach the desired depth. Even when re-tapping existing holes, be sure to use the cutting fluid and clean the tap when you are done. Don't leave chips and rust on the tap.

I cannot recommend specific tap and die sets but will suggest you look for the following things. Buy alloy steel taps, not carbon steel. They should have a bright alloy appearance and a ground finish not matte. If you decide to buy taps one at a time, buy plug or taper taps, not bottoming taps.

[rodandtom]

Thanks.

Sound advice. I will look at the options and let you know what I go for.

One question though - any idea how to work out what size you need to clear up existing threads? I am going to be doing the swivel joints on my front hubs and to be honest, I just want to make sure I get a set that can deal with that particular problem right now.

RodAndTom

[Ethel]

Have a look at http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/ & http://www.tracytools.com/ who also do a set of unf tap drills. Carbon steel will be ok for chasing threads, cast iron & aluminium.

[tiger99]

I would have recommended Tracy Tools as above, but there is also www.tapdie.com and www.tap-die.com, which seem to be the same company but different web sites. Good taps and dies are not cheap, so it is preferable to buy only what you actually need rather than a cheap set, as has already been suggested.

Good tool shops such as Buck and Hickman also sell taps and dies, if you are in a hurry, as they may be more expensive than the various suppliers listed above.

[rodandtom]

One question though - any idea how to work out what size you need to clear up existing threads? I am going to be doing the swivel joints on my front hubs and to be honest, I just want to make sure I get a set that can deal with that particular problem right now.

You mean the ball joints, I would not recommend this just buy a new set.

I didnt mean the ball joints themselves, I meant the thread on the hub that they screw on to. I need to work out what size that is so I can get the right thing. That's what I need help with - apart from trial and error how to you tell if you have metric, imperial or whitworth threads and what size they are?

Thanks,

RodAndTom

[mini-luke]

Almost every thread on a older Mini will be UNF with some exceptions, later additions such as the injection system will be metric. Who do you need to chase the threads on the hubs? If they're that ropey it's time for new hubs as it's a safety critical thread, plus a quality die that big will be obscenely expensive.

[dklawson]

I didnt mean the ball joints themselves, I meant the thread on the hub that they screw on to. I need to work out what size that is so I can get the right thing. That's what I need help with - apart from trial and error how to you tell if you have metric, imperial or whitworth threads and what size they are?

I am confused now. The ball joints are the components on top and bottom of the hub assembly that are secured by the big domed nuts. No tap and die set is going to have that size in them. If you mean the threads on the ENDS of the ball joints, those could be retreaded with a die but it would probably be safer and better to fit new ball joints instead.

There are a negligible number of metric and Whitworth threads on a Mini. Probably 95% of them are going to be imperial (UNF). There are going to be a handful of BA series threads here and there but they are not common. As for determining the size, you need to measure the major diameter of the male thread and then count the number of threads per inch. The major diameter will identify the general size, the pitch of the threads will tell you if the bolt is UNF (fine thread) or UNC (coarse thread). There are online lists that will tell you which thread is fine and which is coarse.

[rodandtom]

Hi

It is the thread that the big domed nuts screw on to. Are you really saying that I won't be able to get something that size? So what does that mean? You can only rennovate small threads?

RodAndTom

[sonikk4]

http://www.tapdie.co...plit_adjus.html

http://www.tapdie.co.../unc__dies.html

Cheaper than i thought but as to their quality??

[rodandtom]

Blimey riley!

Time to buy new hubs then I think!

Although I will invest in a good quality set as a result of this for general use.

Thanks

RodAndTom

[dow62]

Small amounts of damage can be cleaned up with a thread file ( try ebay ) allsorts of thread combinations available.