Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: cobrae on May 12, 2013, 02:11:11 PM

Title: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: cobrae on May 12, 2013, 02:11:11 PM
I'm cleaning up where an old barn fell and I found this wooden box with a pretty large sized tap & die set. The box is broken up I think I can fix it but I can't find much info on the set other than just that its a "Little Giant"

I'm just curious if anyone may know how old it is if its actually worth saving or just put it back out in the new garage as it is. I was planning on cleaning it up for the old guy either way but just be nice to know what it is.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/Cobra427/th_GEDC0252_zps7f38491e.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cobra427/media/GEDC0252_zps7f38491e.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/Cobra427/th_GEDC0254_zps89df82c9.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cobra427/media/GEDC0254_zps89df82c9.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/Cobra427/th_GEDC0256_zps9c23d4cc.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cobra427/media/GEDC0256_zps9c23d4cc.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: scottg on May 12, 2013, 02:17:12 PM
 Want to part with it?

 Most versatile and desirable dies ever made. With the super adjustablity of these dies, you can cut threads for obsolete thread patterns when nothing else, save a metal lathe, can.
 
 The taps will be toast. The dies might be too. Or they might be saveable with a lot of work.
   But its worth a try.
 
 Want to part with it? :)
   yours Scott
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on May 12, 2013, 02:18:32 PM
I have two sets from the late thirties-early forties made for Sears by Greenfield.  Those inserts work very easily.  The guide bushings make sure that you are on the shaft correctly. They work much better than modern one piece dies.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: cobrae on May 12, 2013, 02:36:58 PM
I'm cleaning em up a bit right now. Just messing around with em. They are cleaning up pretty good. The cutting edges are sharp as sin still not sure how. I will take some more pics in a bit. I would have to ask the guy if he would be willing to part with it.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: humber2 on May 12, 2013, 02:57:49 PM
That's a massive set.

I've never seen a triple layer box before. Did you find the lid too?

I scored a double layer one cheap as the seller only saw the top row and thought it didn't contain much.

Do I see 1 3/8" on the die set?

You won't cut that in one pass unless threading plastic.

Ideal project for a gallon of evaporust.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: leg17 on May 12, 2013, 02:59:11 PM
I'm just curious if anyone may know how old it is if its actually worth saving or just put it back out in the new garage as it is. I was planning on cleaning it up for the old guy either way but just be nice to know what it is.

Absolutely worth saving!
Great find.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: cobrae on May 12, 2013, 03:45:53 PM
I just went out and did a quick look around and couldn't find the lid. It may be there buried if it is I will find it lol if not I will just make a lid. Uploading a video right now.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: cobrae on May 12, 2013, 04:04:21 PM
Here is the video


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/Cobra427/th_GEDC0260_zps3f8f1439.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/Cobra427/GEDC0260_zps3f8f1439.mp4)
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: wvtools on May 12, 2013, 10:13:35 PM
I bought one of those at an auction recently.  I will have to go out to the barn later to be sure, but I think it is a Greenfield Tap and Die Little Giant No. 5 set (the lettering on the end of the box is still pretty good).  The large size tap handle in it is a No. 8, which is a monster.  I am hoping to get it cleaned up in time to take it to the flea market this weekend.  I have bought and sold a lot of tap and die sets over the years, and it is by far the largest set I have had.

The box on mine is also in pretty bad shape.  That is a lot of weight for one box with the 3 layers.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: cobrae on May 12, 2013, 11:06:33 PM
It is. I have a metal box thats a bit bigger that I may just put the wooden box inside. The bottom tray is bowed from being in the weather so long.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: humber2 on May 13, 2013, 03:36:42 AM
From the 1935 GTD Catalog looks like you have the #50 set.

If I found one I'd want to have steel cap boots on before I tried to pick it up.

Top image details the 650 set which has a stock for each size, #50 on lower image.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: humber2 on May 13, 2013, 04:42:35 AM
Bad luck re the boxes lads......
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: eddie hudson on May 13, 2013, 06:16:11 AM
A few years ago I rescued a set that was just going to be dropped into a dumpster. The box is excellent but the top was already dumped. At least now I can figue out which set I have.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: john k on May 13, 2013, 06:58:43 AM
That is a great stand by set.   As said, essential for restoring old machines and tools.  The Little Giant name was used several times over the years, and was not associated to the blacksmithing trip hammers of Little Giant fame. 
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: ron darner on May 13, 2013, 09:40:30 AM
Mental picture: Mr. Wile E. Coyote orders an Acme Little Giant Triphammer, and attempts to use it to tenderize a Roadrunner . . .
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: wvtools on May 13, 2013, 09:52:36 AM
Humber is correct -- No. 50 is stamped on the end of the box.  The outside dimensions of the box are 34L x 10W x 8 1/2H.  My bottom tray (which looks like it may have been attached to the bottom) is pretty well shot, but I am hoping to patch up the bottom and one bad corner.

I will repost here when I sell it to let everyone know their value.  I paid quite a bit for mine, so I am hoping one of my regulars who likes tap and die sets or someone at one of the tractor shows I go to will buy it.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: cobrae on May 13, 2013, 10:13:00 AM
Yeah my bottom tray is warped. I'm half tempted to try and straighten it out but I think in the long run it would split since I don't have the proper tools for it.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: humber2 on May 14, 2013, 04:53:16 AM
Before I put the 1935 Catalog away I'll share an image or two of what I guess is now a desirable item.

I'd swoop pretty quick if I saw one offered.

Has anyone seen one?

The GTD drill stand.....
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: eddie hudson on May 14, 2013, 05:56:12 AM
Before you put the catalog away, could you post pages 13 & 79?
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: OilyRascal on May 14, 2013, 05:59:37 AM
A like GTD drill stand was up for sale on Ebay just a few days ago.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: humber2 on May 14, 2013, 06:28:02 AM
Before you put the catalog away, could you post pages 13 & 79?
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: humber2 on May 14, 2013, 06:46:43 AM
Here's my tiny GTD set, the A-4 which has 10 small sizes isted on the lid.

Different sets in Catalog 35 to this one with fractional and machine screw threads sold seoerately.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on May 14, 2013, 11:36:20 AM
One way to deal with bad warp is to table saw it into several pieces and glue it back together flat. A thin strip of wood glued in to make up for the saw kerf. Sand the outside flat. Unwarping is generally a lost cause, for me anyway. I don't know if you can miss all of the features inside, but miss what you can and recarve what you can't.
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: oldtools on May 14, 2013, 11:46:57 AM
I found a AA4 set for $2 last year, missing the 1 1/2"Dia. handle & couldn't find anyone with extra one,
so I made one from old pipe fittings. works OK. great adjustable dies.,. http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=5966.msg38541#msg38541
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: eddie hudson on May 14, 2013, 04:31:23 PM
Thank you.
 
Before you put the catalog away, could you post pages 13 & 79?
Title: Re: Old Tap & Die set
Post by: cobrae on May 30, 2013, 07:39:43 AM
Bit of an update. Brought it down to my dad who is the one that actually found it while we were fixing a truck out back. Hes been cleaning em up and trying to revive the box. Still no top but gonna make one I guess.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/Cobra427/th_tapampdie2004_zps4d4e1347.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cobra427/media/tapampdie2004_zps4d4e1347.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/Cobra427/th_tapampdie2005_zpsa0170e5b.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cobra427/media/tapampdie2005_zpsa0170e5b.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/Cobra427/th_tapampdie2006_zps6aae2cfc.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cobra427/media/tapampdie2006_zps6aae2cfc.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/Cobra427/th_DSC00183_zps320f9342.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cobra427/media/DSC00183_zps320f9342.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/Cobra427/th_DSC00184_zps7c182bd6.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cobra427/media/DSC00184_zps7c182bd6.jpg.html)