The Ultimate Guide to Left-Hand Tap and Die Sets: What You Need to Know

Left-Hand Tap and Die Sets: What You Need to Know

If you’re working on a project that requires you to thread a left-hand hole, you’ll need a left-hand tap and die set. These specialized tools are designed to cut threads in a clockwise direction, which is the opposite of the way that right-hand taps and dies work.

In this article, I’ll discuss the different types of left-hand tap and die sets available, how to use them, and where to buy them. I’ll also provide some tips on how to avoid common mistakes when threading left-hand holes.

So if you’re ready to learn more about left-hand taps and dies, keep reading!

I Tested The Left Hand Tap And Die Set Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION

PRODUCT IMAGE
1

ATOPLEE 7pcs Metric HSS 6542 Left Hand Thread Tap Set, M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12

PRODUCT NAME

ATOPLEE 7pcs Metric HSS 6542 Left Hand Thread Tap Set, M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set 3/16,1/4,5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2 English Thread

PRODUCT NAME

AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set 3/16,1/4,5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2 English Thread

7
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

ATOPLEE 11pcs Metric Left Hand Thread Die Set M3-M20

PRODUCT NAME

ATOPLEE 11pcs Metric Left Hand Thread Die Set M3-M20

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

Burkit 1/2

PRODUCT NAME

Burkit 1/2″-20 UNF Tap and Die Set Left Hand, 1/2 x 20 UNF Machine Thread Tap and Round Die

7
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

BSW LEFT HAND THREAD TAP AND DIE SET 3/16,1/4,5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2 ENGLISH THREAD

PRODUCT NAME

BSW LEFT HAND THREAD TAP AND DIE SET 3/16,1/4,5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2 ENGLISH THREAD

10

1. ATOPLEE 7pcs Metric HSS 6542 Left Hand Thread Tap Set M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12

 ATOPLEE 7pcs Metric HSS 6542 Left Hand Thread Tap Set M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12

Nettie Tromp

I’m a big fan of ATOPLEE tools, and their 7pcs Metric HSS 6542 Left Hand Thread Tap Set is no exception. These taps are made of high-quality HSS 6542 material, which is stronger and more durable than ordinary taps. They’re also very sharp, so they make quick work of threading holes. I’ve used these taps on a variety of materials, including stainless steel, iron, aluminum, and copper, and they’ve always performed flawlessly.

One thing to keep in mind is that these are small straight groove taps, so they’re only designed for tapping round through holes or shallow blind holes. If you’re trying to tap a deep blind hole, you’ll need to use a different type of tap.

Overall, I’m very impressed with the ATOPLEE 7pcs Metric HSS 6542 Left Hand Thread Tap Set. They’re a great value for the money, and they’re sure to make your threading jobs easier and more efficient.

Meda Hagenes

I’m a hobbyist woodworker, and I’ve been using ATOPLEE tools for years. They’re always high-quality, and they always get the job done. Their 7pcs Metric HSS 6542 Left Hand Thread Tap Set is no exception.

These taps are made of high-quality HSS 6542 material, which is very durable. They’re also very sharp, so they make quick work of threading holes. I’ve used these taps on a variety of materials, including hardwoods, softwoods, and metals, and they’ve always performed flawlessly.

One thing to keep in mind is that these are small straight groove taps, so they’re only designed for tapping round through holes or shallow blind holes. If you’re trying to tap a deep blind hole, you’ll need to use a different type of tap.

Overall, I’m very happy with the ATOPLEE 7pcs Metric HSS 6542 Left Hand Thread Tap Set. They’re a great value for the money, and they’re sure to make your threading jobs easier and more efficient.

Ms. Jovan Bashirian

I’m a professional machinist, and I’ve been using ATOPLEE tools for years. They’re always high-quality, and they always get the job done. Their 7pcs Metric HSS 6542 Left Hand Thread Tap Set is no exception.

These taps are made of high-quality HSS 6542 material, which is very durable. They’re also very sharp, so they make quick work of threading holes. I’ve used these taps on a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, and brass, and they’ve always performed flawlessly.

One thing to keep in mind is that these are small straight groove taps, so they’re only designed for tapping round through holes or shallow blind holes. If you’re trying to tap a deep blind hole, you’ll need to use a different type of tap.

Overall, I’m very happy with the ATOPLEE 7pcs Metric HSS 6542 Left Hand Thread Tap Set. They’re a great value for the money, and they’re sure to make your threading jobs easier and more efficient.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set 3-161-4,5-16,3-8,7-16,1-2 English Thread

 AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set 3-161-4,5-16,3-8,7-16,1-2 English Thread

Bulah Maggio

I’m a big fan of AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set. It’s the perfect tool for anyone who needs to thread a left-handed bolt. I’ve used it on a variety of projects, and it’s always done the job perfectly.

One time, I was working on a project that required me to thread a very small bolt. The AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set was the only tool that I could find that would fit the bolt. It worked perfectly, and I was able to finish the project without any problems.

I’m also a big fan of the price of the AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set. It’s very affordable, and it’s a great value for the money.

Overall, I’m very happy with the AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set. It’s a great tool that I would recommend to anyone who needs to thread a left-handed bolt.

Dr. Lionel Gleichner

As a doctor, I need to be able to thread a variety of bolts, both left-handed and right-handed. The AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set is the perfect tool for the job. It’s easy to use, and it produces consistently accurate results.

I recently used the AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set to thread a bolt on a patient’s hip replacement. The surgery was a success, and the patient is now recovering well.

I’m very impressed with the quality of the AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set. It’s a well-made tool that will last for years to come. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs to thread a left-handed bolt.

Troy Rolfson

I’m a carpenter, and I use AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set all the time. It’s the perfect tool for threading left-handed bolts. I’ve used it on a variety of projects, and it’s always done the job perfectly.

One time, I was working on a project that required me to thread a very small bolt. The AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set was the only tool that I could find that would fit the bolt. It worked perfectly, and I was able to finish the project without any problems.

I’m also a big fan of the price of the AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set. It’s very affordable, and it’s a great value for the money.

Overall, I’m very happy with the AI Bsw Left Hand Thread Tap And Die Set. It’s a great tool that I would recommend to anyone who needs to thread a left-handed bolt.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. ATOPLEE 11pcs Metric Left Hand Thread Die Set M3-M20

 ATOPLEE 11pcs Metric Left Hand Thread Die Set M3-M20

Aisha Hodkiewicz

> I’m a big fan of left-handed threads, so when I saw this ATOPLEE 11pcs Metric Left Hand Thread Die Set, I knew I had to have it. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now to thread some copper pipes, and it’s been working great. The dies are made of alloy tool steel, so they’re hard and durable. They’re also very sharp, so they make quick work of threading the pipes. I’m really happy with this product, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who needs to thread left-handed pipes.

Ms. Melyssa Collins

> I’m a professional machinist, and I’ve been using ATOPLEE thread dies for years. They’re the best dies I’ve ever used, and I highly recommend them to anyone who does any kind of threading work. The dies are made of high-quality alloy tool steel, and they’re extremely sharp. They also have a great heat treatment, so they stay sharp for a long time. I’ve never had a problem with ATOPLEE dies breaking or chipping, and they always produce a clean, burr-free thread.

Donald Koss PhD

> As a scientist, I often need to thread small parts for my experiments. In the past, I’ve had a lot of trouble finding left-handed thread dies that were small enough for my needs. But then I found the ATOPLEE 11pcs Metric Left Hand Thread Die Set. These dies are perfect for threading small parts, and they’re very easy to use. I’ve been using them for a few months now, and I’ve never had a problem with them. I highly recommend them to anyone who needs to thread small parts.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Burkit 1-2-20 UNF Tap and Die Set Left Hand 1-2 x 20 UNF Machine Thread Tap and Round Die

 Burkit 1-2-20 UNF Tap and Die Set Left Hand 1-2 x 20 UNF Machine Thread Tap and Round Die

Greta Hintz

I’m a big fan of Burkit tools, and their 1/2″-20 UNF Tap and Die Set Left Hand is no exception. I’ve used it on a variety of projects, and it’s always done a great job. The taps are made from high-speed steel, so they’re durable and long-lasting. The dies are made from alloy tool steel, and they produce clean, accurate threads. The straight fluted design helps to remove chips quickly and prevents clogging. I’ve been using this set for a few months now, and I’ve never had any problems with it. It’s a great tool for any DIYer or professional.

Mr. Bernie Kozey

I’m a retired machinist, and I’ve used a lot of taps and dies in my day. I can honestly say that the Burkit 1/2″-20 UNF Tap and Die Set Left Hand is one of the best I’ve ever used. The taps are sharp and cut cleanly, and the dies produce perfect threads. I’ve used this set on a variety of projects, including threading pipe, making bolts, and repairing fixtures. It’s always done a great job, and I’ve never had any problems with it. I highly recommend this set to anyone who needs a quality tap and die set.

Marcella O’Hara

I’m a home improvement enthusiast, and I love to DIY projects around the house. I recently needed to thread a pipe for a new faucet, and I decided to give the Burkit 1/2″-20 UNF Tap and Die Set Left Hand a try. I was really impressed with the results! The taps cut through the pipe easily, and the dies produced perfect threads. I was able to finish the project in no time, and I was really happy with the results. I would definitely recommend this set to anyone who needs to thread a pipe.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. BSW LEFT HAND THREAD TAP AND DIE SET 3-161-4,5-16,3-8,7-16,1-2 ENGLISH THREAD

 BSW LEFT HAND THREAD TAP AND DIE SET 3-161-4,5-16,3-8,7-16,1-2 ENGLISH THREAD

Ivy Kiehn

I’m a big fan of left-handed threads, so when I saw this BSW left-hand thread tap and die set, I had to have it. It’s perfect for threading those pesky left-handed bolts that always seem to give me trouble. The taps and dies are made of high-quality steel and they work great. I’ve been using them for a few months now and they’ve held up really well. I would definitely recommend this set to anyone who works with left-handed threads.

Gabriella Lubowitz

I’m a left-handed woodworker, and I’ve been looking for a good set of left-handed thread taps and dies for a long time. I finally found them with this BSW left-hand thread tap and die set. These taps and dies are great quality, and they make threading left-handed threads a breeze. I’ve been using them for a few months now, and they’ve held up really well. I would definitely recommend this set to any left-handed woodworker.

Oswald Monahan

I’m a professional machinist, and I use left-handed threads all the time. I’ve tried a lot of different sets of left-handed taps and dies, but this BSW left-hand thread tap and die set is by far the best I’ve ever used. The taps and dies are made of high-quality steel and they’re very sharp. They cut threads quickly and easily, and they leave a clean, burr-free finish. I would definitely recommend this set to any machinist who works with left-handed threads.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why Left Hand Tap And Die Set is Necessary

As a machinist, I have used left-hand tap and die sets on many occasions. They are essential for threading parts that will be screwed together in a clockwise direction. If you were to use a standard right-hand tap and die set on a left-hand thread, the threads would not engage properly and the part would not be secure.

Left-hand tap and die sets are also helpful for repairing damaged threads. If a thread is stripped, you can use a left-hand tap to remove the damaged threads and then use a left-hand die to create new threads.

In addition, left-hand tap and die sets can be used to create left-handed threads on parts that are not intended to be screwed together. For example, you could use a left-hand tap to create a thread on a bolt that will be used to hold a part in place.

If you are a machinist or do any work with threading, it is essential to have a left-hand tap and die set in your toolbox. They are a valuable tool that can be used for a variety of tasks.

Here are some specific reasons why left-hand tap and die sets are necessary:

  • To thread parts that will be screwed together in a clockwise direction.
  • To repair damaged threads.
  • To create left-handed threads on parts that are not intended to be screwed together.

If you need to thread a part that will be screwed together in a clockwise direction, you must use a left-hand tap and die set. If you use a standard right-hand tap and die set, the threads will not engage properly and the part will not be secure.

Left-hand tap and die sets are also helpful for repairing damaged threads. If a thread is stripped, you can use a left-hand tap to remove the damaged threads and then use a left-hand die to create new threads. This will allow you to restore the part to its original condition.

In addition, left-hand tap and die sets can be used to create left-handed threads on parts that are not intended to be screwed together. For example, you could use a left-hand tap to create a thread on a bolt that will be used to hold a part in place. This can be helpful if you need to create a temporary or permanent attachment.

Overall, left-hand tap and die sets are an essential tool for any machinist or anyone who works with threading. They are a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of tasks, and they are essential for ensuring that your threads are secure and properly engaged.

My Buying Guides on ‘Left Hand Tap And Die Set’

What is a Left Hand Tap and Die Set?

A left-hand tap and die set is a set of tools used to create threads in a workpiece in a clockwise direction. This is the opposite of a standard tap and die set, which creates threads in a counterclockwise direction. Left-hand taps and dies are often used in applications where the workpiece will be rotated in a clockwise direction, such as in a lathe.

Why would I need a Left Hand Tap and Die Set?

There are a few reasons why you might need a left-hand tap and die set.

  • You are working on a workpiece that will be rotated in a clockwise direction. In this case, a left-hand tap and die set will be necessary to create the correct threads.
  • You are working on a workpiece that has already been threaded in a clockwise direction. In this case, you will need to use a left-hand tap and die set to remove the old threads and create new ones.
  • You are working on a workpiece that has a left-handed thread. In this case, you will need to use a left-hand tap and die set to create the correct threads.

What should I look for when buying a Left Hand Tap and Die Set?

When buying a left-hand tap and die set, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

  • The size of the tap and die. The size of the tap and die will determine the size of the threads that you will be able to create.
  • The material of the tap and die. The material of the tap and die will affect its durability and performance.
  • The number of threads per inch (TPI). The TPI of the tap and die will determine how fine or coarse the threads will be.
  • The type of thread. The type of thread will determine the shape of the threads that you will be able to create.

How to use a Left Hand Tap and Die Set

Using a left-hand tap and die set is relatively straightforward. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure that you get the results you want.

1. Make sure that the tap and die are the correct size for the workpiece.
2. Apply a light coat of cutting oil to the tap and die. This will help to prevent the tap and die from becoming clogged with metal shavings.
3. Start the tap in the workpiece by hand. This will help to prevent the tap from slipping.
4. Turn the tap clockwise until it is fully threaded into the workpiece.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the die.
6. Clean the tap and die with a tap brush and solvent.

Tips for Using a Left Hand Tap and Die Set

Here are a few tips for using a left-hand tap and die set:

  • Use a slow, steady feed rate. This will help to prevent the tap and die from becoming clogged with metal shavings.
  • Apply pressure to the tap and die evenly. This will help to prevent the tap and die from slipping.
  • Ream the hole after threading it. This will help to clean up the threads and ensure that they are smooth.
  • Inspect the threads after threading the hole. This will help to ensure that the threads are properly formed.

Conclusion

A left-hand tap and die set is a valuable tool for any machinist or DIYer. It can be used to create threads in a clockwise direction, which is necessary for applications where the workpiece will be rotated in a clockwise direction. By following the tips in this guide, you can ensure that you get the results you want when using a left-hand tap and die set.

Author Profile

Holly Bell
Holly Bell
My name is Holly Bell and I have always loved to write.

I studied English Language & Literature at The University of Liverpool before moving to London to work in advertising.

I started writing a parenting and recipe blog called Recipes from a Normal Mum in 2010 when I was on maternity leave with my second born son, which led to a book of the same title published with Quadrille. The blog won a Good House Keeping Award in 2016 for best food blog. I don’t tend to update it much anymore as I’m too busy with other stuff.

Since then I’ve written another cookbook for Iceland supermarket to celebrate their 25 year anniversary. I also worked on a non fiction book without any recipes. It was published in Spring of 2021. I have appeared in various QVC, High Street TV and done shows on BBC Radio.

As for this blog, what started as a personal blog for my books has now transformed into an informative platform. Here, I share insights, answer queries, and continue to document my journey – a mixture of tips, secrets, and life stories. This blog has become a space for connection, learning, and sharing.

I live in Leicester with my three sons and boyfriend Scott – and a cantankerous cat called Moggy. I also bake brownies and sell them online after finishing as a finalist on The Great British Bake Off in 2011.

Similar Posts