How to Use a Tap and Die Set

A screw is an ingenious concept. The threads of a screw or bolt are strong enough to hold together thousands of pounds. But, if you cross-thread a screw or strip the threads, it is useless. When this happens, your only choice may be to fix the threads or make new threads. You do this with a tap and die set.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Repair threads on a bolt or screw if they're crossed. Find the circle die from your set that is the exact fit for the bolt or screw. Slowly turn the die onto the thread area. You need use a few drops of oil from time to time. If the die gets tight, back off a turn and then continue forward until you are at the end.

2. Fix threads on a nut or insert. You have to place a few drops of oil on the threads of the nut. Use the tap that is the same size as the nut or insert. You work the tap through threads of the nut.

3. Create threads on a bar. Choose a die that is just smaller than the bar you wish to thread. Then add a couple of drops of oil onto the blade of the die. You use slow and careful motions to spin the die onto the bar. As the die spins, it creates threads.

4. Make threads for an insert. You determine what size tap from your set to use. The tap should fit snuggly into the insert. You add oil to the tap and begin to twist. You need to pay extra attention to keep the tap perfectly straight and level.

5. Restore stripped threads. If you have stripped the threads on a screw or a bolt you must create new threads. You do this by treating the screw or bolt like one with no threads. Follow Step 3 or Step 4.