Faithfull Taps & Dies

Faithfull Taps & Dies at Tooled-Up.com

Faithfull has established itself as a trusted name in precision threading tools, delivering professional-grade taps and dies that meet the demanding requirements of both tradespeople and serious DIY enthusiasts. The Faithfull taps and dies range encompasses everything from individual taps and dies in metric and imperial sizes to comprehensive tap and die sets that provide complete threading solutions for workshop and site applications. Manufactured from hardened high-carbon steel and high-speed steel (HSS), these threading tools are engineered to create clean, accurate threads in various materials including mild steel, aluminium, brass, and plastics.

Tooled-Up.com stocks an extensive selection of Faithfull taps and dies to suit all threading requirements, from fine pitch metric taps for precision engineering work to coarse imperial dies for general maintenance and repair tasks. Each Faithfull tap features precision-ground flutes that facilitate efficient chip removal and reduce the risk of tap breakage, whilst their dies incorporate adjustable split designs on many models, allowing for precise thread diameter control. Whether working on automotive repairs, plumbing installations, machinery maintenance, or fabrication projects, Faithfull threading tools deliver the accuracy and durability that professionals demand.

The comprehensive Faithfull range includes taper, second, and plug taps for progressive threading in blind and through holes, alongside circular split dies and die nuts for external thread cutting. Available in popular sizes and thread pitches commonly required in UK workshops, these tools represent exceptional value without compromising on quality or performance, making them ideal for tradespeople who require reliable threading solutions that won't break the budget.

Why Choose Faithfull Taps & Dies?

Faithfull has built its reputation on delivering professional-quality tools at competitive price points, and their taps and dies exemplify this philosophy perfectly. Each threading tool undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure dimensional accuracy and cutting performance that rivals more expensive alternatives. The brand's commitment to using appropriate steel grades—high-carbon steel for general purpose applications and HSS for harder materials and extended tool life—means users can select the right tool for their specific threading requirements.

One of the standout features of Faithfull taps and dies is their excellent value proposition. Whilst maintaining professional standards of accuracy and durability, these tools are priced accessibly for both trade professionals who need to stock multiple sizes and DIY enthusiasts building their threading capability. The availability of both individual tools and comprehensive sets means customers can invest according to their needs, whether that's replacing a single broken tap or equipping a workshop with a complete threading solution.

Faithfull's heritage as a supplier to the UK trade market for over forty years provides additional confidence. The brand understands the practical demands of British tradespeople and engineers their products accordingly, with thread forms that comply with ISO metric and BSW/BSF imperial standards commonly encountered in UK maintenance and repair work.

Who Uses Faithfull Taps & Dies?

• Motor mechanics and vehicle technicians repairing damaged threads in engine blocks, gearboxes, and chassis components
• Maintenance engineers working on industrial machinery, plant equipment, and production line repairs
• Plumbers and heating engineers creating threaded connections in pipework and fixing damaged threads on valves and fittings
• Fabricators and welders preparing threaded holes in steel frames, brackets, and custom metalwork
• Agricultural engineers maintaining and repairing farm machinery and equipment in workshop and field settings
• General engineers and machinists creating precision threaded components in their workshops
• DIY enthusiasts and home workshop owners tackling metalworking projects and restoration work
• Model engineers requiring smaller tap and die sizes for precision model-making applications

Key Features of Faithfull Taps & Dies

Premium Steel Construction: Faithfull taps are manufactured from hardened high-carbon steel or HSS depending on the range, providing the necessary hardness and wear resistance for cutting accurate threads whilst maintaining sufficient toughness to resist breakage during demanding applications.

Precision Ground Flutes: The cutting flutes on Faithfull taps are precision ground to ensure efficient chip evacuation, reducing friction and heat build-up during threading operations. This design feature significantly extends tool life and improves thread quality, particularly in deeper holes where chip removal is critical.

Adjustable Split Dies: Many Faithfull circular dies feature an adjustable split design, allowing users to fine-tune the thread diameter for achieving the perfect fit. This adjustability is invaluable when creating threads that must mate with existing threaded components or when compensating for material variations.

Clear Size Marking: Each tap and die is clearly marked with its size and thread pitch, ensuring quick identification in busy workshop environments and reducing the risk of using incorrect tools that could damage workpieces.

Comprehensive Set Options: The Faithfull range includes well-organised tap and die sets housed in sturdy storage cases, providing complete threading solutions with the most commonly required sizes for metric and imperial applications, along with tap wrenches and die stocks.

Popular Faithfull Taps & Dies

Metric Tap Sets: Comprehensive sets containing the most frequently used metric tap sizes from M3 to M12, typically including taper, second, and plug taps for each size to enable proper progressive threading technique, particularly useful for through-holes and blind holes in steel and cast iron.

Metric Die Sets: Circular split dies covering popular metric thread sizes, supplied with adjustable die stocks that allow precise control during external thread cutting on bar stock, bolts, and studs.

Imperial Tap and Die Sets: Essential for anyone working on older British machinery, classic vehicles, or maintaining equipment manufactured to imperial standards, these sets include common UNC, UNF, BSW, and BSF thread forms.

Individual HSS Taps: High-speed steel taps available at Tooled-Up in individual sizes for professionals who need to replace worn tools or require specific thread pitches not included in standard sets, offering superior performance in harder materials and production environments.

Thread Repair Sets: Specialist sets designed for restoring damaged threads, including helicoil installation tools and oversized taps for thread repair inserts, invaluable for salvaging expensive components with stripped threads.

Safety and Compliance

When using Faithfull taps and dies, appropriate personal protective equipment should always be worn, including safety glasses to protect against metal chips and swarf, and gloves when handling sharp threading tools. Ensure workpieces are securely clamped before commencing threading operations to prevent movement that could cause tool breakage or injury.

Always use appropriate cutting fluid when tapping or threading to reduce friction, dissipate heat, and improve thread finish. For steel and ferrous metals, a suitable tapping fluid or soluble oil is recommended, whilst aluminium benefits from paraffin or specialist aluminium cutting fluid. Never force a tap or die—if excessive resistance is encountered, reverse the tool to break chips and clear the flutes before continuing.

Taps are particularly susceptible to breakage when twisted beyond their elastic limit, and broken taps are extremely difficult to remove from workpieces. Use proper tap wrenches that provide good control and feel, avoiding adjustable spanners or similar improvised tools that can apply uneven force. For blind holes, calculate the required tap depth carefully, allowing for the tap's chamfer length to avoid bottoming out which can cause breakage.

Store taps and dies in their original cases or organised tool storage to protect their cutting edges from damage and prevent injury from handling sharp tools. Inspect threading tools regularly for wear, chipped teeth, or damage, and replace worn tools promptly to maintain thread quality and prevent workpiece damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between taper, second, and plug taps in Faithfull sets?

Faithfull tap sets typically include three taps per size: the taper tap has a long chamfer (8-10 threads) for starting threads and is used first; the second tap has a medium chamfer (3-5 threads) for intermediate cutting; and the plug tap has a short chamfer (1-2 threads) for finishing threads close to the bottom of blind holes. For through-holes, often just the taper tap is sufficient, but blind holes benefit from the progressive three-tap approach.

Are Faithfull taps and dies suitable for stainless steel?

Faithfull HSS taps and dies can cut threads in austenitic stainless steel (grades 304 and 316), though this material is more challenging to thread than mild steel due to its work-hardening properties. Use a high-quality cutting fluid specifically formulated for stainless steel, reduce cutting speed, and reverse frequently to break chips. For extensive stainless steel threading work, specialist taps with enhanced coatings may provide longer tool life, but Faithfull HSS tools will handle occasional stainless steel threading requirements.

Can I use Faithfull taps in a power drill or should I use them by hand?

Hand tapping with proper tap wrenches is recommended for Faithfull taps, particularly in smaller sizes below M6, as this provides the necessary feel and control to avoid breakage. Larger taps (M10 and above) can be used carefully in a drill press or pillar drill at very low speeds (typically under 100 RPM) with appropriate cutting fluid, but never use taps in handheld power drills as the lack of alignment control and speed regulation almost guarantees tap breakage or poor thread quality.

How do I know which size tap drill to use with Faithfull taps?

The tap drill size (the pilot hole diameter required before tapping) depends on the thread size and pitch. For metric threads, a general rule is to subtract the pitch from the major diameter (e.g., M8 x 1.25mm requires approximately a 6.75mm drill), though tap drill charts provide precise sizes. Many Faithfull tap and die sets include a reference chart, and comprehensive tap drill charts are readily available online. Using the correct tap drill size is crucial—too small creates excessive load and risks tap breakage, whilst too large produces weak threads with insufficient engagement.

Do Faithfull dies cut threads to British Standard specifications?

Yes, Faithfull metric dies conform to ISO metric thread standards (ISO 68-1) which are the accepted standard throughout the UK and Europe. Their imperial dies are manufactured to unified thread standards (UNC/UNF) and traditional British Standard Whitworth (BSW) and British Standard Fine (BSF) specifications where applicable. The adjustable split design on Faithfull dies allows fine-tuning of thread diameter within tolerance, ensuring proper fit with standard nuts and threaded holes when adjusted correctly.