tap die set

[jwallace]

Found this set at an estate sale with the
following taps dies 3/32, 2/48, 7/64, 9/64 and
1-1/2 56 these seem a little out of the norm
can anyone tell me about these sizes and what
they were used for. the set id is made by CARD

 

[Lew Hartswick]

Found this set at an estate sale with the
following taps dies 3/32, 2/48, 7/64, 9/64 and
1-1/2 56

Do you mean #3-32 etc. ????? Never heard of a #9 or #7 machine screw.
If your'e talking about diameters that is even weirder, what are the threads tpi. ?
I can't imagine what a "one and a half by 56 tpi die would look like . Wonder how
you'd start it straight.
...lew...

 

[TarheelTom]

The last tap mentioned, a 1 1/2-56. Are you saying 1 1/2", or screw size 1 1/2?

If you're saying a 1 1/2", it sounds like one of the many weird size threads used (formerly ?) in the plumbing faucet industry. There seem to be lots and lots of different thread sizes used by different faucet manufacturers. Suspect that the original idea was to force the consumer to use only replacement parts from only one supplier. There seem to be about 30 different thread sizes used for aerators alone.

I have a nice brass plate, drilled and tapped with 24 different thread sizes, sold to plumbers so they can check thread sizes of aerators. I've never had occasion to use it. Might have to incorporate it into an engine build.

Tom

 

[jwallace]

The outside dia of each die is .640 the numbers on the
face of them is 1 1/5 -56, 2-48, 9/64-40, 3/32-56, 7/64-56
and 1-64 each has a corresponding tap with it, box is
about 4 x 5 inches about 3/4 inch deep and the manufacture
is Card screw plate no2 and what looks like set 0/8
I did not buy them and probably cant use the they came
with complete set of tools i purchased. the one that has
1.5 - 56 is surley not for plumbing unless it is for dollhouse
fixtures.

 

[kf2qd]

I have a few taps, under 1/4, in those sizes. Old buggers. They are from back before the standardization to number sizes under 1/4. A 3/16-32 will sub pretty well for a 10-32 and some of the other sizes come in pretty close.

You are holding a piece of Machinist History there.

Pete

 

[wes]

I also have a set with those marks. Had no idea they where uncommon.