Why not ? You can't go too far wrong if you are not using them much..

But on my cheap tap and die set, the 1/2-13 tap was undersize, and I would need a big wrench just to run the screw in. Finally bought a new 1/2-13 tap from an industrial supply store at probably 20% the price of the entire original set.

Strange -- two forum threads in a row where the link was not available.

 

I bought a cheap HF tap and die about 30 yrs ago for about $15 [maybe the same set?] It was ok for chasing threads although as time went by I had trouble keeping the dies securely in place. A few yrs ago I bought a craftsman set I like better - paid about $100 for both SAE and metric.

 

I can't cut new threads with my HF set, SAE or Metric. Good for thread chasing. Better to buy a good set to start with.

 

... Better to buy a good set to start with.

I've got the tap and die wrenches (inherited from my dad), but individual taps and dies were long gone.. Considering that I only have that need a (very) few times a year, I'll just buy which ever piece I need for each project as the need arises.

 

I would buy a quality set elsewhere. After you drill a hole and break off the HF tap in the hole, you will regret the purchase.

 

I wish I could "like" this multiple times. Break a tap off in a hole and you are really screwed. On top of that, round dies are just about useless, unless you're tapping new threads, on the bench. Buy hex dies that you can turn with a socket.

 

I like harbor freight for a lot of tools. Not sure taps would be one of them.

If only chasing threads or cutting soft materials they are likely fine. I wouldn't try steel or anything harder with them. You can get individual taps from Grainger, they have a huge selection and they aren't super expensive. Even quality made in the US taps are fairly cheap if they're not huge.