Tap and die set sizes: what comes in each set

Tap and die sets are sold by piece count, and the piece count hides the useful information: which thread sizes you actually get, in which system, and what else fills the case. This page tabulates the set contents, size by size, for the common sets from Pittsburgh, ICON, GearWrench, Irwin Hanson, and TEKTON, with every row checked against at least two independent listings. It stays on set contents: for the drill bit to pair with each tap, the tap drill chart owns that math, and for fasteners that are already snapped or rounded off, the bolt extractor size chart takes over.

The one-minute answer

Three facts answer most of the question. First, piece counts count accessories: a "60 piece" Pittsburgh set is 54 cutting tools (27 matched tap and die pairs) plus six wrenches, gauges, and a screwdriver [1]; an ICON "41 piece" set is 17 pairs plus seven drive tools [9]. Second, the standard set stops at 1/2 inch and M12: 17 pairs covering #4-40 to 1/2-20 or M3 x 0.5 to M12 x 1.75, plus one 1/8 in. pipe thread [3] [22]. Third, the large sets trade the small sizes for big ones: Pittsburgh's 45-piece TiN set starts at 1/4-20 and runs to 1-14 with nothing smaller [8], and TEKTON's 45-piece metric set starts at 6 mm and runs to 24 mm [24].

How to read a piece count

Manufacturers count everything in the case, and the arithmetic is consistent once you check it. Pittsburgh 60366: 27 taps plus 27 dies plus a tap wrench handle, a die handle, a T-handle tap wrench, a screwdriver, and two thread pitch gauges equals 60 [1]. Pittsburgh 62831: 17 pairs plus three wrenches, a screwdriver, a pitch gauge, and the counted case equals 40 [3]. GearWrench 3887: 34 pairs plus the ratcheting T wrench, two tap adapters, a die adapter, a sliding T, a dual pitch gauge, and a screwdriver equals 75 [14]. So when two sets differ by 20 pieces, first check whether the difference is cutters or plastic.

The one set where the published arithmetic will not reconcile is the GearWrench 82812: the official page says 114 pieces and, in the same paragraph, "48 taps and dies" [12], while its own spec sheet and Directools list both taps and dies across the full 4-40 to 3/4 in and 3 to 18 mm ranges [13]. The ranges below are what two sources agree on; treat any specific cutter count for that set with caution.

Tap and die set contents by brand and set

Taps and dies come matched in every set below: the size list in each row applies to both. Sources are the manufacturer's product page or owner's manual plus at least one independent retailer or distributor listing.

What comes in each tap and die set: piece count, thread sizes, and case contents
SetPiecesTap and die sizesAlso in the caseSources
PITTSBURGH SAE + Metric 603666027 pairs: SAE 4-40 to 1/2-20 coarse and fine, metric 3 x 0.5 to 12 x 1.75 coarse and fine, 1/8 in. NPTAdjustable tap wrench, die handle, T-handle tap wrench, screwdriver, 2 pitch gauges[1] [2]
PITTSBURGH Carbon Steel SAE 628314017 pairs: 4-40 to 1/2-20 coarse and fine, 1/8 in. NPTAdjustable tap wrench, T-handle tap wrench, adjustable die wrench, screwdriver, pitch gauge, case[3] [4]
PITTSBURGH Carbon Steel Metric 628324017 pairs: 3 x 0.5 to 12 x 1.75 coarse and fine, 1/8 in. NPTSame six accessories as 62831[5] [6]
PITTSBURGH TiN-Coated SAE 614114520 pairs: 1/4-20 to 1-14, coarse and fine, no sizes below 1/4 in.Adjustable tap wrench, adjustable tap and die wrench, small die holder, T-handle tap wrench, screwdriver[7] [8]
ICON SAE 591584117 pairs: #4-40 to 1/2-20 UNC and UNF, 1/8-27 NPTSelf-centering die wrench, fixed die wrench, double-end adjustable tap wrench, 2 collet T-handle tap wrenches, screwdriver, thread gauge[9] [10]
ICON Metric 591594117 pairs: M3 x 0.5 to M12 x 1.75 coarse and fine, 1/8-28 BSPTSame seven tools as the SAE set[10] [11]
GEARWRENCH Ratcheting 38877534 pairs: #4-40 to 1/2-20, M3 x 0.5 to M12 x 1.75, 1/8-27 NPT and 1/8-28 BSPRatcheting T wrench, small and medium tap adapters, die adapter, sliding T, dual pitch gauge, screwdriver[14] [15]
GEARWRENCH Ratcheting 82812114Both taps and dies: SAE 4-40 to 3/4 in, metric 3 to 18 mm, pipe 1/8 and 1/4 in.2 ratcheting T handles, 3 tap adapters, 2 die adapters, 2 extension adapters, sliding T, hex key, 5 screw extractors, 2 pitch gauges[12] [13]
IRWIN HANSON 263767634 pairs: #4-40 to 1/2-20, M3 x 0.5 to M12 x 1.75, 1/8-27 NPT and 1/8-28 BSPAdjustable and plain die stocks, adjustable handle tap wrench, two-in-one tap wrench, T-handle wrench, 2 pitch gauges, case[17] [18] [19]
TEKTON Inch 75583917 pairs: #4-40 to 1/2-13 coarse, 10-32 to 1/2-20 fine, 1/8-27 NPTLong handle tap wrench, T-handle tap wrench, die stock, screwdriver, pitch gauge[20] [21]
TEKTON Metric 75593917 pairs: 3 x 0.5 to 12 x 1.75 coarse and fine, 1/8-27 NPTSame five accessories as 7558[22] [23]
TEKTON Inch, large 75604520 pairs: 1/4 to 1 in., coarse (NC) and fine (NF)Two T-handle tap wrenches, T-handle die stock, die stock adapter, screwdriver[26] [27]
TEKTON Metric, large 75614520 pairs: coarse 6 x 1.0 to 24 x 3.0, fine 6 x 0.75 to 24 x 1.5Same five accessories as 7560[24] [25]

Reading notes, where the sources need honesty rather than a clean number. The Pittsburgh 60366 size list is published in full only on Harbor Freight's own product page [1]; the second source for that row, an independent retailer listing [2], confirms the set identity and model numbers but does not republish the size list, so treat that row as manufacturer-stated. The 62831 owner's manual prints the first size as "4-36" where the product page prints 4-40 [3] [4]; 4-40 is the standard UNC series and what every other Pittsburgh set carries, so the manual line is near-certainly a misprint, but it is disclosed here rather than silently corrected. The ICON metric set's pipe thread is 1/8-28 BSPT (British standard) where the SAE set's is 1/8-27 NPT [10] [11]. And no retailer itemizes the TEKTON 7560's individual fine-thread sizes; both independent listings agree on the 1/4 to 1 in. NC and NF coverage [26] [27], which is what the row states.

One coverage note for Harbor Freight shoppers: the tap and die category currently lists only Pittsburgh and ICON sets, five SAE and five metric [28]. There is no Doyle or Hercules tap and die set to tabulate, which is why neither brand has a row. GearWrench's 3887 row also carries a third source: Home Depot Canada's listing agrees on SAE dies to 1/2 in. and metric dies 3 to 12 mm [16].

SAE vs metric coverage

Every set forces a system choice or doubles the piece count. The single-system sets are mirrors of each other, and the combination sets carry both systems at the standard 1/2 in. and M12 ceiling, with only the top ratcheting set pushing past it.

SAE vs metric vs pipe coverage by set
SetSAE rangeMetric rangePipeSources
PITTSBURGH 603664-40 to 1/2-203 x 0.5 to 12 x 1.751/8 NPT[1] [2]
PITTSBURGH 628314-40 to 1/2-20none1/8 NPT[3] [4]
PITTSBURGH 62832none3 x 0.5 to 12 x 1.751/8 NPT[5] [6]
ICON 59158 / 591594-40 to 1/2-20 (59158)M3 to M12 (59159)1/8-27 NPT / 1/8-28 BSPT[9] [11]
GEARWRENCH 38874-40 to 1/2-20M3 x 0.5 to M12 x 1.751/8 NPT + 1/8 BSP[14] [16]
GEARWRENCH 828124-40 to 3/4 in.3 to 18 mm1/8 + 1/4 in. pipe[12] [13]
IRWIN HANSON 263764-40 to 1/2-20M3 x 0.5 to M12 x 1.751/8 NPT + 1/8 BSP[18] [19]
TEKTON 7558 / 75594-40 to 1/2-13 (7558)3 x 0.5 to 12 x 1.75 (7559)1/8 NPT[20] [22]
TEKTON 7560 / 75611/4 to 1 in. (7560)6 to 24 mm (7561)none[24] [26]

The fine print differs more than the ranges suggest. Irwin Hanson splits its metric coverage across two die formats, M3 to M6 on 5/8 in. hexagon dies and M7 to M12 on 1 in. hexagon dies [18], which is why the set carries two die stocks. GearWrench 3887 includes both an NPT and a BSP pipe pair, a mechanic-set touch the budget sets skip [14]. And the TEKTON large pair drops pipe threads entirely [24] [26].

Small sets vs large sets

The suggest pattern in the market is really two tiers plus one outlier. Small sets cover number sizes through 1/2 in. and M12; large sets start at 1/4 in. or 6 mm and run to 1 in. or 24 mm; and one ratcheting set tries to cover both ends.

Set tiers: piece count and size range by tier
TierPiecesRangeExamplesSources
Small, single system (17 pairs)39 to 41#4-40 to 1/2-20 or M3 x 0.5 to M12 x 1.7562831, 62832, ICON 59158/59159, TEKTON 7558/7559[3] [9] [20]
Small, combination SAE + metric60 to 76both of the above ranges in one case60366, GEARWRENCH 3887, IRWIN 26376[1] [14] [19]
Large SAE (20 pairs)451/4-20 to 1-14 or 1/4 to 1 in.61411, TEKTON 7560[8] [26]
Large metric (20 pairs)456 x 1.0 to 24 x 3.0TEKTON 7561[24] [25]
Full range, ratcheting1144-40 to 3/4 in. and 3 to 18 mmGEARWRENCH 82812[12] [13]

The tier logic is substitution, not addition: the Pittsburgh 61411 large SAE set has twenty pairs, the same count as the small sets, but every size below 1/4 in. is replaced by one above 1/2 in. [8]. If your work is bracket bolts and tie rod ends that trade is a win; if it is #6-32 machine screws, a "bigger" 45-piece set is objectively smaller for you than the 40-piece one.

What is never in the case

None of the thirteen sets above ships a single twist drill bit. That is not an omission the manufacturers half-fix: the correct hole for each tap is a size-specific calculation (about 75 percent thread engagement by default), and it is the whole subject of our tap drill chart, which lists the drill for every tap on this page in SAE, metric, and pipe series. Two adjacent products cause confusion here. Harbor Freight's combination drill/tap bit sets are one-piece drills with tap profiles, sold separately from these sets [28], and the GearWrench 82812 includes five screw extractors, which remove broken bolts but drill nothing [12]. For choosing the drill bit itself by material and coating, see drill bits by material; for the driving end of the fasteners these threads accept, screwdriver bit types.

Brand lines at a glance

At Harbor Freight the jump from Pittsburgh to ICON is a materials jump: Pittsburgh sets are carbon or alloy steel, while both ICON 41-piece sets are tungsten molybdenum tool steel with a lifetime warranty on the tools [9] [11], and the ICON owner's manual is explicit that they are hand-tapping tools, not lathe or drill press tooling [10]. GearWrench's selling point is the drive system: a 5-degree ratcheting arc with a reversing lever, and adapters that also fit its pass-thru ratchet system [12] [14]. Irwin Hanson is the traditional format, hexagon dies in two sizes driven by plain die stocks, high-carbon steel throughout [17] [18]. TEKTON's sets are the outlier on material at the price: the 45-piece sets are tungsten alloy high speed steel where most budget sets are carbon steel, a distinction Tools in Action flagged as the reason to look twice at the 7558 [21] [24].

Related

For the drill bit each tap needs: tap drill chart. For clearing broken bolts before you re-thread: bolt extractor sizes. For the bits that drive the fasteners: screwdriver bit types. For the drills themselves by material and coating: drill bits by material. For technique once the hole is tapped: how to drill through metal.

Sources

  1. Harbor Freight, PITTSBURGH SAE and Metric Tap and Die Set, 60-Piece (60366/35407) product page: contents 27 taps, 27 dies, adjustable tap wrench handle, die handle, T-handle tap wrench, pipe tap, screwdriver, 2 thread pitch gauges; size list coarse SAE 4-40 to 1/2-13, metric 3-0.5 to 12-1.75, fine SAE 10-32 to 1/2-20, metric 10-1.25 (harborfreight.com/sae-and-metric-tap-and-die-set-60-piece-60366.html)
  2. SOS Tools, PITTSBURGH 60 Piece SAE and Metric Tap and Die Set retailer listing: independent listing confirming model numbers 60366/35407, alloy steel construction, case, and two pitch gauges (sosoutils.com/en/products/jeu-de-tarauds-et-filieres-sae-et-metriques-60-pieces-pittsburgh)
  3. Harbor Freight, PITTSBURGH Carbon Steel SAE Tap and Die Set, 40-Piece (62831) product page: 17 taps, 17 dies, three wrenches, screwdriver, pitch gauge, case; sizes 4-40 to 1/2-20 plus 1/8 NPT (harborfreight.com/carbon-steel-sae-tap-and-die-set-40-piece-62831.html)
  4. Harbor Freight, Item 62831 Owner's Manual (UPC 193175336989): specification table, SAE, carbon steel, tap and die sizes 4-36 (as printed; product page lists 4-40), 6-32, 8-32, 10-24, 10-32, 12-24, 1/4-20 to 1/2-20, 1/8 NPT pipe tap (manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/62000-62999/62831-193175336989.pdf)
  5. Harbor Freight, PITTSBURGH Carbon Steel Metric Tap and Die Set, 40-Piece (62832) product page: 17 taps, 17 dies, same accessories; sizes 3-0.5 to 12-1.75 coarse and fine plus 1/8 in. NPT (harborfreight.com/carbon-steel-metric-tap-and-die-set-40-piece-62832.html)
  6. The CNC Source, Pittsburgh Carbon Steel Metric Tap and Die Set 40 Piece (62832) dealer listing: what's in the case plus full die list M3 x 0.5 through M12 x 1.75 and 1/8-inch NPT (thecncsource.com/products/pittsburgh-carbon-steel-metric-tap-and-die-set-40-piece-62832)
  7. Harbor Freight, PITTSBURGH Titanium Nitride-Coated Alloy Steel SAE Tap and Die Set, 45-Piece (61411/41451/60685) product page: 20 taps, 20 dies, four drive tools, screwdriver; sizes 1/4-20 through 1-14 (harborfreight.com/titanium-nitride-coated-alloy-steel-sae-tap-and-die-set-45-piece-61411.html)
  8. Harbor Freight, Item 61411 Owner's Manual (UPC 792363614115): specification table, TiN-coated alloy steel, tap and die sizes 1/4-20, 1/4-28, 5/16-18, 5/16-24, 3/8-16, 3/8-24, 7/16-14, 7/16-20, 1/2-13, 1/2-20, 9/16-12, 9/16-18, 5/8-11, 5/8-18, 3/4-10, 3/4-16, 7/8-9, 7/8-14, 1-8, 1-14 (manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/61000-61999/61411-792363614115.pdf)
  9. Harbor Freight, ICON SAE Tap and Die Set, 41-Piece (59158) product page: tungsten molybdenum, contents, taps and dies #4-40 UNC through 1/2-20 UNF plus 1/8-27 NPT (harborfreight.com/sae-tap-and-die-set-41-piece-59158.html)
  10. Harbor Freight, ICON Professional Tap and Die Set 41 Piece Owner's Manual (59158 UPC 193175457660): full coarse and fine tables for both the SAE set (4-40 to 1/2-20, 1/8-27 NPT) and the metric twin (M3 x 0.5 to M12 x 1.75, 1/8-28 BSPT); hand-use only, no lathe or drill press (manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/59000-59999/59158-193175457660.pdf; transcribed at manuals.plus)
  11. Harbor Freight, ICON Metric Tap and Die Set, 41-Piece (59159) product page: model TDMT-41, tungsten molybdenum, taps and dies M3X0.5 through M12X1.75 plus 1/8-28 BSPT (harborfreight.com/metric-tap-and-die-set-41-piece-59159.html)
  12. GearWrench, 114 Pc. SAE/Metric Ratcheting Tap and Die Set (82812) product page: 114 pieces, taps and dies 4-40 to 3/4 in. and 3 mm to 18 mm, pipe 1/8 and 1/4 in.; contents include 2 ratcheting T-handles, 3 tap adapters, 2 die adapters, extensions, 4 mm hex key, 5 screw extractors, SAE and metric thread gauges (gearwrench.com, 82812 product page)
  13. Directools, GEARWRENCH 82812 Tap and Die Set listing: tap thread size and die thread size both 1/8 to 1/4 in. pipe, 3 to 18 mm, 4-40 to 3/4 in., BSP/NPT/UNC/UNF, with the 388701N-to-82875N component list (directools.com/item/?item_id=23526)
  14. Fastenal, 75 Piece Ratcheting SAE/Metric Tap and Die Set (GearWrench 3887, SKU 0211389): contents 34 taps, 34 dies, adapters, ratcheting T wrench, dual pitch gauge, screwdriver; min tap and die #4-40 and M3 x 0.5, max 1/2-20 and M12 x 1.75, thread standards BSP, metric coarse and fine, NPT, UNC, UNF (fastenal.com/products/details/0211389)
  15. Directools, GEARWRENCH 3887 Tap and Die Set listing: tap and die thread size both M3 x 0.5 to M12 x 1.75 and #4-40 to 1/2-20, BSP/NPT/UNC/UNF (directools.com/item?item_id=22142)
  16. Home Depot Canada, GearWrench SAE/Metric Ratcheting Tap and Die Set 75-Piece (model 3887): set contains #4 to 1/2 in. SAE taps and dies, 3 to 12 mm metric taps and dies, ratcheting T wrench, small and medium tap adapters, die adapter (homedepot.ca/product/gearwrench-sae-metric-ratcheting-tap-and-die-set-75-piece/1001718654)
  17. IRWIN Tools, 26376 76-pc Machine Screw / Fractional / Metric Tap and Hex Die Set product page: set scope, high-carbon steel, machine screw, fractional, metric, and pipe groups (irwintools.com/product/26376/76-pc-machine-screw-fractional-metric-tap-hex-die-set)
  18. ToolsID, IRWIN 26376 Hanson 76-Piece Machine Screw, SAE, Metric HCS Tap/Die Set: full includes list, machine screw 4-40 to 12-24 with 5/8 in. hex dies, fractional 1/4-20 to 1/2-20 with 1 in. hex dies, metric M3 x 0.50 to M6 x 1.00 on 5/8 in. dies and M7 x 1.00 to M12 x 1.75 on 1 in. dies, pipe 1/8-27 NPT and 1/8-28 BSP, two die stocks, three tap wrenches, two pitch gauges (toolsid.com/irwin/hanson-76-piece-machine-screw-sae-metric-hcs-tap-die-set-mpn-26376.html)
  19. Amazon, IRWIN Tools 76 Piece Machine Screw/Fractional/Metric Tap and Hex Die Super Set (26376): from the manufacturer, 6 machine screw taps and dies, 10 SAE taps and dies, 16 metric taps and dies, 2 pipe taps and dies, plus drive tools and gauges, high carbon steel (amazon.com/dp/B0000EI9AW)
  20. PIP Hardware, TEKTON Inch Tap and Die Set (39-Piece) listing: set includes and full size list, coarse 4-40 to 1/2-13, fine 10-32 to 1/2-20, pipe 1/8 NPT 27 (piphardware.com/product/tekton-inch-tap-and-die-set-39-piece)
  21. Tools in Action, TEKTON 7558 Tap and Die review: 17 taps and 17 dies from #4 to 1/2 in. coarse and fine, 2 tap wrenches, die stock, thread pitch gauge; high speed alloy steel rather than carbon steel; names the metric 7559 (to 12 mm) and 45-piece 7560 (to 1 in.) and 7561 (to 24 mm) variants (toolsinaction.com/tekton-7558-tap-and-die-review/)
  22. PIP Hardware, TEKTON Metric Tap and Die Set (39-Piece, model 7559) listing: coarse 3 x 0.5 to 12 x 1.75, fine 6 x 0.75 to 12 x 1.5, pipe 1/8 NPT 27, same five accessories (piphardware.com/product/tekton-metric-tap-and-die-set-39-piece)
  23. Home Depot, TEKTON Metric Tap and Die Set (39-Piece) 7559 listing with answered contents question: 17 taps and 17 dies, tap and die sizes coarse 3 x 0.5 through 12 x 1.75, fine 6 x 0.75 through 12 x 1.5, pipe 1/8 NPT 27 (homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-Metric-Tap-and-Die-Set-39-Piece-7559/205544445)
  24. Repquip, TEKTON 7561 45-pc Tap and Die Set (Metric) listing: tungsten alloy high speed steel, 20 taps and 20 split dies, coarse 6 x 1.0 to 24 x 3.0, fine 6 x 0.75 to 24 x 1.5, with two T-handle tap wrenches, T-handle die stock, adapter, screwdriver (store.repquip.com/products/tekton-7561-45-pc-tap-and-die-set)
  25. PIP Hardware, TEKTON Metric Tap and Die Set (45-Piece) listing: 20 taps and 20 dies in coarse and fine sizes from 6 to 24 mm (piphardware.com/product/tekton-metric-tap-and-die-set-45-piece)
  26. Zecdepot, TEKTON 45-Piece Inch Tap and Die Set (model 7560) listing: 20 taps and 20 dies, SAE coarse and fine from 1/4 in. to 1 in., T-handle tap wrenches, die stock, adapter, screwdriver (zecdepot.com/products/tekton-45piece-inch-tap-and-die-set-sae-coarse-and-fine-sizes)
  27. 48WS, Michigan Industrial Tools 7560 45 pc Tap and Die Set (Inch) listing: 20 taps and 20 dies in coarse and fine sizes from 1/4 in. to 1 in. (48ws.com/pd474532/michigan-industrial-tools-7560-45-pc-tap-and-die-set-inch)
  28. Harbor Freight, Tap and Die Sets category pages: SAE Tap and Die Sets (5 items: Pittsburgh 60-piece SAE and metric, Pittsburgh 40-piece carbon SAE, ICON 41-piece SAE, Pittsburgh 21-piece carbon SAE, Hercules combination drill/tap bit set) and Metric Tap and Die Sets (5 items incl. Pittsburgh 40-piece carbon metric, ICON 41-piece metric, Warrior drill/tap/deburr set); no Doyle tap and die set (harborfreight.com/hand-tools/specialty-hand-tools/tap-die-sets.html)