Thread: Taps and dies

Originally Posted by PaulNZ

Carbide NZ. Their Volkel (german I think?) taps are good price and excellent quality - much better than the Irwin taps I'm slowly replacing in my set.

Second this. Prices are good and great quality. Shipping is reasonable and very fast turn around (I usually get stuff the day after I order it in Auckland)

I actually made my own tap a little while ago. I needed M8x0.75 tap for one hole during lockdown, so I turned it on the lathe from drill rod, then mounted in a collet block and cut 3 flutes in it with a ball nose end mill, then hardened, tempered and polished the cutting edges. Worked a treat and only took about an hour to make.