Vintage taps

[mpavli3]

Hello, I recently helped to clean out my grandmother's basement and came across these taps and dies. Some of them appear to be used, others are still in their wrapping, they are all covered in a little dust or dirt, I assume they were only used once or twice. I'm looking to find out a little about their history and value. Thank you. These pictures are of Besly, Winter Brothers, and Whitman & Barnes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62674001@N07/

[Lostmind]

Stop in at your local hardware store and check the prices for new ones. Yours seem to be
common sizes. It will give you a starting point.

[rusty]

Besly is still around, and still making taps & dies: http://www.besly.com/taps.htm

Winter Brothers made good taps but they have been gone for a while.
History from an interesting perspective here: http://server16.websitehostserver.net/~patandme/PatandMelOakesFamily/Oakes_Blog/Winter_History.html

Whitman & Barnes hasn't made taps for a very long long time...

Sadly, used taps and dies tend to be flea market material, worth a buck or so, because no one ever knows if they are sharp or not...

[wvtools]

I have sold a lot of taps over the years at flea markets.  I usually get 1.00 to 3.00, depending on condition (less if they are small or not in good condition).  Pipe taps will go 3.00 to 10.00 depending on size and condition (usually around 5.00).

[mpavli3]

thanks for the help