Tap set for installing cleats on mast

[Sea Hunt Video]

I am thinking of installing 1-2 additional cleats on the mast of S/V Bali Ha'i. At present the one cleat on the starboard side of the mast has to accept the Genoa Halyard, topping lift and spinnaker halyard. I reserve the one cleat on the port side for only the main halyard.

I used to have an old tap set handed down to me. It has long since "found legs" or was lost in Hurricane Andrew, 24 August 1992.

Anyone have any recommendations for a quality tap set, preferably both SAE and Metric I don't think I need a wide range of sizes. I would prefer not to purchase a "Chinese knock off" of a quality American-made brand.

[Russell]

My taps are all craftsman, they have sets in a wide range of sizes.

[tjr818]

I think Vermont Tool or Irwin are the only ones still made in the USA that are readily available.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Tim:

Are you referencing "Vermont American Tool"

Thanks for heads up on both Irwin and Vermont American.

[Ron Churgin]

why buy a set?

you will most likely use #10 and 1/4 inch for that sort of thing. if you are referring to a set of taper, plug, and bottom taps you will not need a starter tap in an aluminum mast, plug or taper will do fine, plug being generally more useful. its nice to have the proper sized drills for the taps but a set will have you paying for more than you will use.

i wouldn't worry about the quality of the taps, tapping a mast for four or eight holes will not wear any hardware store tap out (in aluminum) its nice to put some sort of lube on the tap when threading but not really necessary either


Ron

[sharkbait]

If you have the skill you might want to consider the combination drill taps.

http://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-DTAPKIT- ... =drill+tap

[tjr818]

Tim:

Are you referencing "Vermont American Tool"

Thanks for heads up on both Irwin and Vermont American.

Well, The set I have is Vermont Tool. That set belonged to my Father, who was a tool and Die maker.
Vermont American is part of Bosch tools. Some of their products are made in the U.S. some are not.

[Sea Hunt Video]

If you have the skill you might want to consider the combination drill taps.

http://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-DTAPKIT- ... =drill+tap

Sharkbait:

Since I am only going to be "tapping" a thin piece of aluminium (the mast) I am not sure the combo would work well. You really have to be careful with torque, angle, speed, etc. A simple "T" is probably easier to get right - especially for me, since you can "feel" the progress.

[Oswego John]

Up here in northern NY there is a very high quality tool brand that is popular with the locals. It isn't Vermont American or Vermont Tool. The company name is Polish Tool Co. Most people call it after its owner's first name.

STANLEY ...or Stosh.

Think spring,
O J

[Sea Hunt Video]

Russell, OJ, Ron and all:

Thank you for all the posts and suggestions.

I will check on both Craftsman and Stanley. I have always had good stuff from Craftsman.

Ron, I agree with your post. However, it is probably easier for me to buy a small set rather than trying to fit a particular size screw to a particular size tap, although your size suggestion is probably spot on. Plus, it is always nice to have more tools

[Maine Sail]

Robert,

When tapping a thin-walled spar I use fine threaded fasteners and taps. I then use blue Loc-Tite or Tefl-Gel on the threads.

A good US made tap & die set is VERY, VERY expensive these days. Probably easiest to figure the drill, tap & dies you will use most and build your own set..

I use almost exclusively drills, taps & dies made by Norseman/Viking. Norseman/Viking are the SAME company but sell under both names I suspect to get more market and dealers. These are premium quality USA made tools, but not inexpensive....

I get my Norseman/Viking tools from KL Jack here in Maine......


Norseman Drill Co.
http://www.norsemandrill.com/

Viking Drill Co.
http://vikingdrill.com/index.html

As you can see one in the same....

One of my favorite tools for the boat are the Norseman/Viking 29 piece round drill index sets. They are in a round plastic container with screw on lid and an EXCELLENT gasket seal. The set is totally waterproof and stays closed in a tool bag, unlike metal indexes. I use this set for 85-90% of the drilling jobs I need to do on a boat. These drills also eat SS for lunch... Both Norseman and Viking offer the same sets... I think at last count I had three of these indexes. I like them because KL Jack stocks the replacement drills from Norseman/Viking and when I break one I can easily replace it with a matched drill..

http://www.amazon.com/Norseman-29pc-16- ... m_sbs_hi_3

[Sea Hunt Video]

Maine Sail:

Thank you very much for the additional co. websites and information. I will check them out. I will probably follow your advise and that of others on this board and only get a few individual taps, etc.