Re: [FWDLK] What is a Tap and Die Set?

[Ray Jones <hurst300@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Joey;
Start with a Nut and a Bolt.
The threads in a nut are made with a Tap
the threads on a Bolt are made with a Die.
Got dirty/rusty nuts? Use the little pocket knife looking thingy in the 
set that has turn out blades with zig-zag edges. Match one of the 
blades up   along the bolt or stick it down in the nut. You are trying 
to find out which one fits into the nut or on the bolt EXACTLY. This 
gives you the thread count.
Then find a die with the same thread count in a size that the bolt will 
go into, and put it into the handle (thing with the hole in the middle 
for a die and a bar sticking out from each end). there are 3 little 
screws in the side of the handle to hold in the die. Place the Die in 
so that one screw is lined up with the split in the Die, and the other 
2 are on either side. Using the screw at the split controls the 
tightness of the die. By backing that screw out and tightening the 
other 2, you can make it cut deeper. Start loose and re-tap tighter if 
the bolt is badly rusted or marred. With the bolt in a vise, slowly 
start threading the tap down over the bolt and it will clean up the 
threads. Turn a little and then back up to clear the shavings/rust/dirt 
out. or will go over the bolt.
Same for the Tap, using the other handle (little sliding bar at the top 
with a threaded chuck looking thing at the bottom. Put the square end 
in the chuck and tighten it up. Nut in a vise (or a treaded hole in a 
frame or the body of something like a block) and slowly start threading 
it in. Again, turn and back up, turn and back up.
This cleans out  threads for reassembly.

Hope this helped, do it once and it's easy after that.

Ray
On Apr 18, 2005, at 8:59 AM, Joey Ramirez wrote:

> Sorry for the off topic question. But my Dad sent me a Tap and die set 
> and have no clue what it's used for. Is there a way that this could be 
> used in automotive restoration? Sorry if I'm clueless about this but 
> it doesn't hurt to ask.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Joey
>
> Nice sunny day in Dickinson, Texas
>
> Time for some floor blasting fun!
>
> ?
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