Why To Buy Decent Drill Bits and Tap and Dies.

[Uncle Buck]

Like many DYIers I buy most of my tools at big box stores.

Usually good enough but I find the drill bit sets and tap and die kits are not.

Is there a place a guy can get decent kits?

[Laffs]

Try industrial supply houses like Grainger, White Cap (used to be Brofasco), Fastening House, etc. Basically if you know anyone in the Tool and Mold/Machining industry ask them where they buy.

I have had good luck with Chicago Latrobe bits.

[ZR]

Taps and dies, believe it or not we are seeing great value n performance out of CTC sets. Watch for them to go on sale at 50% off.
As for drill bits, CTC use to carry house brand kits that stood up very well and were priced fan tas tic but something has changed n current offerings are dismal.

[Old Fart]

My tap and die kits are from CTC as well. No issues with them. My good set of drill bits are cobalt coated and getting good performance.

[Uncle Buck]

Thanks guys. Maybe I’ll gamble on CTC. There’s a set of tap and die on now for 50% off that would be all I would ever need.

Reviews are mixed on their site but the bad reviews are really bad lol.

[92redragtop]

Maybe try the CTC Maximum line when on sale? Better warranties.

[Old Fart]

^^^That's the one on sale.

[redo75]

Try the local KIJJI site for some to come up. Here in London every few months stuff crops up including measuring tools, quality stuff, etc.
Had good deals from kids whose father used to be in the machining business.
When he died they just took a plastic bin and clear off all the workshop bench and boxes of stuff, sold for pennies.
Maybe have others like friends look for you and buy deals in the southern areas like Barrie when they come up.
Just another option to buy older but good quality stuff.

[Redfire427]

As a toolmaker for 34 years, I can assure you the good stuff is certainly not sold at CTC. It might do the job once or twice, but for the good tools, you need to go through an industrial supplier. As mentioned at the beginning of the post, places like Granger, Tryhard Industrial, Tyson tool, Triumph Tools, etc, etc. As for brand names, there are so many that are excellent. Sandvik, Kennametal, Greenfield, Emuge, Dormer, YG, …….

Carmen