Garage Hangout

Tools And The Shop => General Tool and Machine Discussion => Topic started by: goodfellow on Jan 18, 2025, 09:00 AM

Title: One of Craftsman's Better Products - Kromedge Tap and Die Sets
Post by: goodfellow on Jan 18, 2025, 09:00 AM
These two sets have been with me since the mid-1970's. They seem to cut faster and more accurately than modern "tool truck" sets. I have several tool truck sets that were purchased within the last 10 years, but they are vastly inferior to these old C-man sets.

Made by Western Forge for Sears --

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman/PICT0362Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman/PICT0361Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman/PICT0363Medium.jpg)

(http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/goodfellow_2004/Craftsman/PICT0364Medium.jpg)
Title: Re: One of Craftsman's Better Products - Kromedge Tap and Die Sets
Post by: skfarmer on Jan 18, 2025, 09:07 AM
awesome stuff gf.

don't know who made them but i am always on the watch for them. missed a huge set a few years ago at a pawn. passed it by and it was gone. i have large sets of sae and metric vermont americans as well as an older ace set.
Title: Re: One of Craftsman's Better Products - Kromedge Tap and Die Sets
Post by: goodfellow on Jan 18, 2025, 09:17 AM
Far as I remember SK it was Western Forge that made Kromedge.
Title: Re: One of Craftsman's Better Products - Kromedge Tap and Die Sets
Post by: Uncle Buck on Jan 22, 2025, 04:32 AM
Fortunately I did start with the set Gf showed above, later added the metric set, later still bought both upgrade sets all offered before they sent everything to China. After that, I never bought another Craftsman tool.
Title: Re: One of Craftsman's Better Products - Kromedge Tap and Die Sets
Post by: fatfillup on Jan 22, 2025, 07:16 AM
I know UB praised the Kromedge sets years ago. I have bought and sold many on his recommendation and have not had a complaint
Title: Re: One of Craftsman's Better Products - Kromedge Tap and Die Sets
Post by: Uncle Buck on Jan 25, 2025, 08:56 PM
Quote from: fatfillup on Jan 22, 2025, 07:16 AMI know UB praised the Kromedge sets years ago. I have bought and sold many on his recommendation and have not had a complaint

Indeed, top notch sets. I always wished I could have bought the Craftsman high speed steel sets instead of these cheaper offerings in the day, but those cost far more than my shallow pockets could accommodate. That said, in the 45 years since buying my first set I have only broken 1 small tap (which Sears reluctantly replaced) At that time, their warranty had dropped the lifetime backed guarantee.  Fortunately, anticipating they might balk, I produced the book that came with the set stating lifetime guaranteed. The salesman reluctantly replaced the tap, grumbling as though it was costing him personally.  LOL
Title: Re: One of Craftsman's Better Products - Kromedge Tap and Die Sets
Post by: Elroy on Jan 27, 2025, 01:31 PM
While the Kromedge taps and dies were of high quality, they're still just a carbon steel. When it comes to taps, Elroy has strived to accumulate ground high speed examples