toolant 127pcs SAE/Metric Tap and Die Set, Ratcheting SAE Metric TAP and Die Set Standard with Drill Bit Combo for Threading

Why I reached for this tap and die set

I keep a couple of tap and die kits on the shelf: a battered old SAE set for quick thread chasing, and a pricier metric set for new work. Lately I’ve been reaching for the Toolant 127‑piece tap and die set because it bundles a ratcheting handle, a die guide that actually centers well, and—this is the killer feature—matching drill bits labeled for each tap. Those three things add up to a kit that helps you work faster with fewer “whoops” moments.

What’s in the box and how it’s laid out

The set spans both SAE and metric, with taps, dies, two ratcheting T‑handles, a die stock, a die guide, a small extension/chuck rod, and a full run of drill bits matched to the tap sizes. Everything nests in a two‑level case with a top tray and a bottom drawer. Each cavity is labeled, so you’re not playing a guessing game when you put tools away or go hunting a second time for that M8x1.25.

The case is more than just acceptable. The drawer detents hold shut in transit and the top tray keeps parts from jumping into the next pocket. It isn’t shop‑cart armor, though. The bottom drawer has a bit of flex when you carry the case fully loaded, so I grab it by the top handle and support the base with a palm if I’m moving it across the shop.

The ratcheting handles are the star

The reversible ratcheting T‑handles change the way you tap in tight spots. With a 5° swing arc, they let you creep a thread in an engine bay or inside a cabinet without constantly re‑gripping. The reversing lever is positive and doesn’t slip under load on my set. I still keep a conventional tap wrench around for delicate starts, but most of the time I use the ratcheting handle and only switch to a fixed wrench when I need maximum feel.

Two notes on technique:
- Start square. I’ll seat the tap with a couple careful turns using fingertip pressure before switching to ratcheting. A center punch divot helps, and so does a tap guide if you have one.
- Break chips often. Quarter‑turn back every half‑turn, especially in mild steel, to keep the flutes clear.

The die side benefits from Toolant’s twist‑lock guide. Thread a die into the stock, click the guide onto the back, and it hugs the work so you aren’t fighting walk‑back. I found it genuinely helpful when chasing bruised threads on a suspension bolt in situ.

Cutting performance and tolerance

These taps and dies are aimed at general‑purpose work, made to an ISO 3/2B tolerance (roughly equivalent to a typical 6H/2B fit). In practice, I had no trouble fitting freshly cut internal threads with off‑the‑shelf hardware, and cleaned external threads ran smoothly with matching nuts. On aluminum, brass, and plastics, the taps cut cleanly with minimal burring. In mild steel, they do fine if you use lubricant and don’t get greedy with torque.

This is not the set I’d pick for hardened alloy steels or production volume. The cutting edges are sharp out of the box, but they don’t have the bite or heat tolerance of high‑end HSS or cobalt tooling. Keep your expectations realistic: it’s for maintenance, repair, prototyping, and hobby builds—not for a shift on a CNC line.

In my kit, one die (1/4‑20 UNC) felt a touch aggressive and wanted to shave crest tops on an existing thread. Swapping to a different die from the set resolved it, and Toolant’s support sent a replacement quickly. That was the only outlier I ran into after a month of mixed use.

The matched drill bits save time

Having the correct drill bit for each tap—and having each hole labeled right in the case—removes the most common source of broken taps: incorrect pilot size. The bits in this set are decent mid‑grade quality. They’re sharp, true, and they handled aluminum and mild steel cleanly with cutting fluid. I wouldn’t mistake them for premium cobalt, but they’re exactly what you want in a general‑purpose kit: the right sizes, readily at hand, and clearly marked.

Two practical upsides to this approach:
- You stop hunting for drill charts or phone apps.
- You learn less by surprise; every tap in the case has its partner bit right there.

Case and organization

The case design deserves a quick nod. Labels are legible, parts sit securely, and the drawer layout matches how most people work (taps and dies grouped with common sizes near each other). The plastic isn’t brittle, but it’s not bulletproof either. Keep it out of direct sun in a hot truck and be gentle with the drawer detents. If you treat it like a toolbox instead of a step stool, it should hold up.

Real‑world tasks I used it on

• Cut M6 threads in a 3 mm aluminum bracket for a 3D printer enclosure. The ratcheting handle made it easy to keep straight even without a drill press, and the threads gauged nicely with standard screws.
• Chased M10x1.5 external threads on a shock stud with the die guide keeping things aligned. Cleaned up fast without cross‑start drama.
• Tapped 1/4‑20 in 1/8‑inch mild steel tabs for a workbench add‑on. No drama so long as I lubricated and backed out to clear chips.
• Tidied a chewed 5/16‑18 hole in a mower deck. The tap didn’t flake or chip, and the new bolt snugged down properly.

These are exactly the kinds of jobs this set excels at: repair and light fabrication in common materials, with a clear payoff in convenience.

Limitations and small quirks

• Not for hardened steels. If you’re working on heat‑treated parts, reach for HSS/cobalt taps and cutting oil meant for ferrous alloys.
• Ratchet bulk. In very tight cavities, the ratcheting body can be a bit chunky. A slim fixed tap wrench still has a place in the drawer.
• Case flex. The bottom drawer sags slightly when fully loaded. Carry with a supporting hand.
• Occasional tolerance outliers. I had one die that was too eager; the quick replacement sorted it.

Tips for best results

• Use the right lubricant: tapping fluid for steel, WD‑40 or kerosene on aluminum, cutting wax on thin sheet to control burrs.
• Pilot accurately: the matched bits are there for a reason—use them, and de‑burr the hole before tapping.
• Go slow with a 5° arc: the ratchet invites speed, but tapping rewards patience. Half‑turn forward, quarter‑turn back.
• Clean and oil after use: a quick brush and a light coat of oil keeps taps sharp and rust at bay.

Who this set is for

• Home mechanics, hobbyists, and makers who need both SAE and metric coverage in one organized kit.
• Maintenance techs who frequently chase and clean threads on assemblies.
• Fabricators doing one‑offs in mild steel, aluminum, and plastics who value having the right drill bit paired to each tap.

If you spend all day tapping threaded holes in steel plate or working hardened materials, step up to a pro HSS or cobalt set. For everyone else, this set hits the sweet spot on capability and convenience.

Support and warranty

The warranty is straightforward: accessories are covered for 180 days, and the main tool body (the ratchets and holders) for a year. I tested support once and had a replacement part shipped promptly. For a kit that will likely see shop abuse, it’s reassuring to have parts backing.

Recommendation

I recommend the Toolant 127‑piece tap and die set for general‑purpose thread cutting and repair. The combination of reversible ratcheting T‑handles, a genuinely useful die guide, and matched drill bits speeds up real work and reduces mistakes. The cutting tools are well suited to aluminum, plastics, and mild steel, and the ISO 3/2B tolerance has delivered dependable fits with standard hardware in my projects. It’s not a production‑grade HSS kit, and the case isn’t indestructible, but for the price and the breadth of capability, it’s a practical, thoughtfully organized solution I’m happy to keep within arm’s reach.