IRWINTap And Die Set, Metric, 53-Piece (26394)

Hanson Irwin = Quality. I have been using Hanson (now Irwin Hanson) Tap and Die Sets and Screw Extractors for over 40 years. I wouldn't buy anything else. There is a reason Snap-On sells these under their Blue Point brand. Don't waste your money on any other brand, these are hardened, cut clean thread and last forever.

Based on the negative reviews wanted to write my own review. Box is 21x13x3 inches, so substantial. A lot of reviews spoke of missing or incorrect parts, I inspected every one and mine is correct. It arrived in a plastic wrap so I assume it was not tampered with from the factory. I purchased this one because it is made in the usa (each part was stamped usa) and true value sells individual tools, so when I naturally don't have the right bit / tap, I'll keep a matching set as I expand. The tools were shipped with a film of preservation oil. Lots of negative reviews on the box... folks, it's a box, it stores all the bits, don't flip it upside down or they'll all spill out, what more do you expect from a box? I have a couple projects this weekend to put it to use, but being made in the usa by a reputable company, I expect it to go just fine.Don't be deterred by the negative reviews, this appears to be a great set. Although I can see how people had issues, the part markings are difficult to read quickly and a worker, accidently putting a wrong tap or die in is very possible, with this worry I still purchased because amazons price was half that of Lowes, if I mistakenly had 2 of the same like one review said, I could have bought the missing die for less than 10 bucks and still been way ahead of Lowes.Update 2021.... This set is amazing, had a couple studs stripped on my first... Was able to clean em up ... When you need it... Worth it's weight in gold....Hope this review was helpful!

I rarely write reviews, but was definitely compelled today. I had purchased a tap and die set recently and I had tried to thread a metal rod repeatedly for over a week. Honestly, it should have worked, but after repeated attempts and failure, i simply could not get the die to bite on the metal rod to begin turning threads. Yes, i even resorted to a torch to heat the end of this metal rod in hopes to get the threads started. Nope, didn't work. I was literally waking up in the middle of the night - going down to my garage to see if i could try to get it to work again. After repeated frustrating attempts, i returned that kit.Today I received this kit. I opened it up, and thought "if this doesn't work, i'm going to give up forever". I take out the 1/4" x 20 tool and tighten the metal rod into my vice. 5 minutes later, i had 2 solid inches of the cleanest threads ever. It literally was the easiest thing getting it started, and literally was so simple and easy and with great clean threads I came straight to my office and sat down intent on writing this review. 5 stars. Excellent product, easy. It just works. I also grew an inch taller, my receding hair line came back, my truck gets 3mpg better fuel economy, and my 401k jumped 5% today. I'm convinced it's because of this Tap and Die, your mileage may vary.

Irwin has always been a standard for excellent quality tools. I buy them for home as well as for work, and they hold up extremely well. Someone else purchased a less than quality knock-off brand tap and die set for work and it is terrible, so I decided to replace this with a quality Irwin tap and die set. To my dismay, when I opened the set, a large portion of the taps and dies are not to the usual Irwin quality I am accustomed to. Some of the taps and dies are the usual high quality and well machined tools that are marked 'USA', but the rest of the set is just marginally machined, no markings, and it just doesn't convey the confidence of quality that Irwin has earned through the years. I have yet to use the set but based on many years of experience as a mechanic, as an engineer, and running a prototype lab, I am concerned about the durability of these unmarked tools. Had the set contained all high quality pieces like Irwin has provided in the past, I would have definitely given it 5 stars. But I am only giving 4 stars (average) based on concern over the mix of unknown quality pieces. Another indicator is the little slotted screwdriver they provide in the set to tighten the set screw, it is very low quality. It looks like something out of a 5 piece set you would buy at the dollar store. I don't want to degrade Irwin because they have provided very high quality tools in the past, but I also want buyers to be aware that they will receive a mix of known quality and unknown quality tools with this set.

used 3 taps and 3 dies so far and could not be happier

This is a great tap and die set for anyone who works on old cars. I've had this set for 5 years and am constantly using it to clean up threads or cut new threads. Any slightly worn nut or bolt can be recut to like-new condition. This saves money and time trying to find replacement bolts/nuts. I have the Irwin metric set too. Would highly recommend.Just make sure to treat the pieces with care because taps and dies can be brittle. I've had no breaks or chips yet. Always use cutting fluid and wipe clean after use.

This kit is a hodgepodge or "re-assembled" kit. While it contains some quality taps/dies clearly stamped Irwin & USA, other pieces are obviously different with no manufacture or country identification. Perhaps this is some sort of agglomeration of a returned Irwin kit with parts thrown in to complete the set. There is even a card inside has a "made in China" label stuck on it after the fact. Needless to say, this kit will be returned.

Absolute top quality tap and die set with matching drill bits. Professional set and a quality storage case