Must suited tap & die kit for general automotive use

[Davie]

Gents,

I find myself in another mine field and confused by technical terminology but basically, about to start reassembling an old Vauxhall so gathering some weapons in readiness.

I need a tap & die kit... not so much for tapping new threads but more so for cleaning existing threads / bolts and perhaps the odd repair as we go.

Not 100% on the range of threads involved, assume it will mostly be metric (90's GM product?) and perhaps coarse and fine threads?

Appreciate you get what you pay for but unsure if it's best to buy a cheaper kits with a broader range or concentrate on a medium range kit and add extra taps as and when the need arises?

Halfords have a 28 piece kit, think it works out around £30.00 with the trade discounts applied but there are also assorted Clarke / Sealey basic kits on eBay for similar.

I'm thinking the "less is more approach" may be better, not point buying a 70 pieces kit if 63 pieces are pointless?

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/tool-...

Or perhaps...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-Tap-Die-Set-32pc-...

Appreciate the input.

Cheers

[phillpot]

If it's cleaning old threads rather than cutting new threads something like this may be more use?

One advantage is you can turn them with a socket rather than a bulky/awkward tap/die wrench, this makes cleaning up something like manifold studs, if still in the head, much easier

[Davie]

I did look at something like that but couldn't decide if a tap and die kit would do a similar job but be more versatile... if that makes sense?

The car has sat for a while so I fully expect to be cleaning up assorted internal and external (if that's the right terminology) threads as I go.

I was leaning towards a tap and die kit as there may be some instances where drilling out and re-tapping may be needed... hopefully not but it may happen.

To my untrained eye, something along these lines?

http://www.tools4trade.co.uk/hand-tools/sockets/se...

[CrutyRammers]

Yeah that sealey one (or equivilent clarke one which looks exactly the same) is fine. You may find that you need to buy the odd extra one for doing blind holes here and there, but it's a fine starter kit. I've used mine a lot.

[Davie]

Cheers

Problem is I tend to get engrossed in reviews and thus end up totally bewildered!

Will give the Sealey kit (or similar) a go... it does seem one of the better kits in terms of variety, quality and cost?

[Davie]

Aye well, in for a penny, in for a pound and all that...

Some Vauxhall anoraks suggest that the car will have metric and metric fine threads so have opted for this kit from Sealey at £30.99 delivered.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181245635821

Rapidly running out of reasons not to start this build now.

Cheers!