VEVOR Tap and Die Set, 116-Piece Include Metric and SAE Size, Bearing Steel Taps and Dies, Essential Threading Tool for Cutting External Internal Threads, with Complete Accessories and Storage Case

First impressions and setup

I put the Vevor 116-piece tap and die set straight to work over a couple of weekends on a mix of household and shop repairs: chasing threads on a brake caliper bracket, cleaning up a stubborn M8 bolt for a bike stem, and cutting fresh 1/4-20 threads in a small aluminum bracket. The immediate draw is the breadth—metric and SAE, coarse and fine, with enough overlap that I didn’t find myself hunting for a size it didn’t have. Everything arrives in a molded case with clearly labeled slots, screw pitch gauges for both systems, and multiple tap and die holders so you’re not constantly swapping handles mid-task.

The taps and dies are finished better than I expect at this price. Edges were sharp out of the box, markings were legible, and the dies’ hex form factor is handy if you want to turn one with a box wrench in a tight spot rather than the included die stocks. The taps have a gentle taper that makes starts more predictable, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying not to cross-thread on a part you can’t replace.

Cutting performance and accuracy

In use, the set cuts cleanly in aluminum, brass, and mild steel provided you treat it like a hand tool and not a production setup. On my aluminum bracket, the 1/4-20 tap tracked straight with minimal effort using the T-handle, leaving a thread that took a fastener smoothly with no gritty feel. In mild steel, I cut M6 x 1 and M8 x 1.25 threads in a small jacking bracket. With a proper cutting oil and a disciplined routine—advance a half-turn, back off a quarter-turn to break chips—I got consistent results and clean crests without torn edges.

For thread chasing, which is how many folks will use a set like this, the dies did well. Cleaning up an M12 x 1.75 stud that had seen too many winters took only a couple passes. The hex die design helps distribute torque and made it easier to control the cut when the threads were partially intact. I did find a few dies on the tight side for the first engagement; that’s not uncommon, and a light deburr pass before starting helped. Finished parts gauged out acceptably, and matching nuts threaded on without binding.

These are not high-speed steel taps and dies. They’re hardened bearing steel, which holds a respectable edge for hand work but doesn’t have the heat tolerance or abrasion resistance of HSS. In practice, that means good technique matters. I wouldn’t use this on hardened fasteners, thick stainless, or for high-volume work. For home repairs, hobby projects, automotive rehabs, and general maintenance on mild steel and nonferrous metals, it’s well-suited.

Tooling, holders, and feel

The included holders cover most situations. You get a T-handle for small taps, two bar-style tap wrenches that span common sizes, and two die stocks for both the smaller and larger die diameters in the kit. The T-handle is the most confidence-inspiring—its knurling grips well, and the jaw alignment was true on the samples I used. The larger bar tap wrench does the job but flexes a bit with bigger taps; keeping even pressure on both ends mitigates that.

The die stocks are serviceable. Their set screws bite into the dies securely enough, but the handles are on the short side for the largest sizes. Thankfully, the hex dies give you options: in a tight spot on a motorcycle frame, I used a ratcheting box wrench on the die itself rather than the die stock and preferred that control.

The screw pitch gauges included are genuinely useful. With both SAE and metric in the same case and a mix of coarse and fine pitches, it’s easy to misidentify a thread by eye. I made it a habit to gauge any unknown fastener before picking a tap or die and avoided the guesswork.

Case and organization

The case is compact and the labeling is clear, which makes finding the right piece quick. The downside is retention. Some taps and dies snap in firmly; others are looser than they should be. If you close the case while it’s upright or flip it the wrong way, odds are you’ll open it next time to a scatter of parts. My workaround was simple: lay a thin sheet of foam over the tools before closing, and always close the handle side first while the case is flat. It’s not elegant, but it prevents the shuffle.

On the plus side, the layout groups sizes logically, and the printed size indicators next to each slot are easy to read. That matters when you’re bouncing between metric and SAE.

Materials and edge life

Vevor lists the taps and dies as hardened to around HRC56 and both heat-treated and polished. The edges felt crisp and stayed that way through the dozen or so holes and cleanup jobs I ran in typical shop metals. You can extend their life with basic discipline: use a proper cutting fluid for the material, clear chips regularly, and don’t force a cut that isn’t clearing. If you do a lot of stainless or repeatedly cut the larger diameters in tougher steels, you’ll want HSS tooling. For occasional use and repair work, this steel choice strikes a reasonable balance between performance and cost.

What it does and doesn’t cover

The coverage breadth is the headline: you get common metric and SAE sizes across coarse and fine pitches, enough to tackle most home, auto, and hobby projects. There are no pipe taps/dies (NPT), no left-hand taps, and no oversize/undersize or H-limit taps for precision fits. If you need those, you’re shopping in a different category.

The set also includes a handful of screw extractors. I consider them “better-than-nothing” additions rather than a selling point. For small screws in softer materials they’ll work; for seized fasteners in structural parts, I’d reach for dedicated extractors and heat.

Practical tips from use

• Always gauge the thread pitch before choosing a tool; it saves time and mistakes.
• Start taps square using the T-handle’s longer arm and light fingertip pressure; once the first threads are cut, you can apply more force.
• On dies, use the slight chamfered side to start; it helps center on existing threads when chasing.
• For anything larger than M8 or 5/16 in tougher steel, use plenty of cutting oil and be patient with chip breaking. The edge life will thank you.
• Consider adding a small foam sheet to the case to keep everything in place during transport.

Who it’s for

This set is a strong fit for the home shop, DIY mechanics, and anyone who occasionally cuts or restores threads across mixed systems. If you maintain bikes and cars, build fixtures, or repair household hardware, the convenience of having both metric and SAE in one case is real. If you’re a machinist doing precision or production work, you’ll want HSS taps and dies in specific sizes and tolerances, plus higher-end holders.

Pros

• Broad metric and SAE coverage in one kit
• Sharp edges out of the box; predictable starts thanks to tapered leads
• Hex dies offer good control and flexibility in tight spaces
• Useful selection of holders and pitch gauges
• Good value for occasional-to-regular home and shop use

Cons

• Case retention is inconsistent; parts can come loose in transit
• Holders are adequate but not premium; larger sizes demand care
• Bearing steel, not HSS—avoid hardened materials and production workloads
• No pipe threads, left-hand taps, or precision tolerance options

Recommendation

I recommend the Vevor 116-piece tap and die set for DIYers and home shops that need comprehensive coverage at a reasonable price. It cuts clean, starts reliably, and includes the essentials to identify and handle both metric and SAE threads without a separate toolbox. The trade-offs are clear: the case needs a little user intervention to keep things put, and the holders are built to a budget. If you work primarily in mild steel, aluminum, and brass and value breadth and practicality over premium finishes, this set is a smart buy. If you demand HSS durability, pipe threading, or precision-tolerance tools for daily professional use, look elsewhere.