DeWalt Taps and Dies

I reach for a matched tap-and-drill set whenever I need to add a threaded hole without fussing with drill charts. This DeWalt set is exactly that: a single tap paired with the correct split-point drill bit, both sized to work together in common metals. I put it to work on a few shop projects—mounting hardware to a mild-steel equipment rack, adding threads to a 1/8-inch aluminum bracket, and chasing a slightly damaged hole in a mower deck. It’s a compact, straightforward kit, and it mostly does what it says on the tin, with a few important caveats.

What stands out in the design

• The drill bit uses a split-point geometry with a black oxide finish. The split point helps it start quickly and reduce walking, and the oxide coating offers a bit of wear resistance and chip shedding in ferrous metals.
• The tap is high-carbon steel with a beefed-up core diameter that’s meant to reduce breakage. In the hand, the tap’s web does feel slightly stouter than some budget taps of the same size.

This is a no-frills, one-size set, not a comprehensive kit. There’s no T-handle or guide block in the package, so plan to supply your own tap wrench and cutting fluid.

Drilling performance

The split-point drill was the pleasant surprise here. On painted rack rail and raw A36 mild steel, it bit immediately with a light center punch and very little pressure. I ran it slowly with cutting oil—think low speed on a cordless drill or, better yet, a drill press at conservative RPM. Chips came off in tight curls, and the hole walls looked clean with minimal burr. The black oxide finish isn’t magic, but it did resist glazing and held an edge for several holes in mild steel and a handful more in aluminum. It’s not cobalt or TiN-coated territory, so I wouldn’t push it into stainless or production runs, but for shop and field use on mild steel it’s solid.

If you’re drilling freehand, the split point helps keep the bit on target, but I still recommend a center punch and a steady two-hand grip. For sheet metal, I noticed less snagging at breakthrough than with generic jobber bits, which translates to better control and a rounder hole.

Tapping performance

With the hole sized correctly from the included bit, the tap started cleanly and cut predictable threads in 6061 aluminum and in thinner sections of mild steel. Using a T-handle, cutting oil, and the classic “quarter turn forward, eighth back” rhythm, the flutes cleared chips reliably, and the finished threads passed a go/no-go check with the matching fasteners.

The limitations show up as material gets tougher or alignment gets sloppy. This tap is high-carbon steel, not high-speed steel. It’s hard and sharp but comparatively brittle. If you load it in a drill driver, lean on it laterally, or try to power through gummy or work-hardened stock, you risk snapping it. In a 10-gauge steel rack rail, the tap did fine for the first few holes with careful technique. When I hurried one start—slightly off-axis and without a guide block—I felt the torque spike and backed out in time. That’s the margin this set operates in: it will do the job, but it doesn’t forgive poor alignment or dry cutting.

As for the “patented core diameter,” I can’t prove the metallurgy in a garage, but the tap does feel stiffer in torsion than the flimsiest imports. It tolerated a couple of moments where chip load crept up without immediately twisting off. That said, no geometry can rewrite the rules: a broken tap in a blind hole is still a day-ruiner, and technique matters more than any single feature.

Best practices that made the difference

• Use cutting fluid. Even a dab of dark thread cutting oil or tapping paste dramatically reduces torque and improves thread finish.
• Keep it straight. A simple guide block with a perpendicular hole, or even a small machinist square, helps start dead on.
• Don’t power tap with a drill/driver unless you’re very experienced and using a clutch. A T-handle gives feedback you need.
• Break chips often. Advance a quarter to half turn, back off just enough to snap the chip, and repeat. Clear flutes regularly.
• Chamfer the hole lightly. A quick countersink eases the lead and reduces raised burrs around the opening.
• Know your material. Mild steel and aluminum are this set’s sweet spot. Stainless, hardened steel, and thick sections call for HSS or cobalt taps and often a different flute style.

Durability and wear

Across a dozen threaded holes in mild steel and a handful in aluminum, the drill bit held its edge respectably. The black oxide finish didn’t flake, and the split point stayed crisp enough to start without wandering. The tap cut clean threads without noticeable dulling, though I wouldn’t expect a high-carbon tap to outlast HSS in longer runs. This is a consumable for occasional use, not a production tool.

If you do manage to chip or break the tap, extraction is the usual nightmare. That’s not unique to this set—it’s a reality of all taps—but it’s worth emphasizing: patience and alignment up front are cheaper than dealing with a broken shank flush with your work.

Convenience and value

The main appeal here is convenience. The matched tap and drill remove guesswork and reduce the chance you’ll pair the wrong pilot hole with the threads you’re cutting. The set slides into a tool bag easily and saves a trip to the drill chart in the middle of a job.

It’s also a sensible price tier for what it is. You’re not paying premium-tool money, and you’re getting above-generic performance, especially from the drill bit. If you need to outfit a shop for daily threading in steel or want to tackle stainless routinely, you’ll want to step up to HSS or cobalt taps and more specialized geometries (spiral point for through holes, spiral flute for blind holes). For occasional repairs, mounting hardware, and light fab, this set earns its keep.

Where it fits (and where it doesn’t)

• Great for: adding threads to mild steel brackets, electrical and AV rack rails, aluminum enclosures, and chasing slightly damaged threads.
• Acceptable for: thicker mild steel if you go slowly, use lube, and keep alignment tight.
• Not ideal for: stainless steel, hardened or abrasive alloys, production runs, or situations where a broken tap would be catastrophic.

What I’d change

I’d love to see an HSS tap option paired with the same split-point drill for a bit more durability headroom, and clear size markings that are easy to read once oil and chips are involved. A simple plastic guide block in the package would be a thoughtful nod to DIY users who don’t have a drill press handy.

The bottom line

This DeWalt tap-and-drill set is a practical, grab-and-go solution for creating and repairing internal threads in common metals. The drill bit starts true and wears well for its class; the tap cuts clean threads when used with care. It’s not a brute-force tool, and it won’t mask sloppy technique, but treat it right and it delivers consistent results in mild steel and aluminum.

Recommendation: I recommend this set for light-duty to moderate threading tasks in mild steel and aluminum, especially if you value the convenience of a matched pair and need a reliable field solution. If your work involves stainless, thicker sections, or frequent tapping in tougher materials, invest in HSS or cobalt taps with the appropriate flute geometry and keep this set as a backup or for softer materials.