[SEL] Tap & Die Set Help Needed--OT

[Dave Rotigel]

Hi Arnie,
         I just looked at the taps carefully and all of them (except the 
1/2" X 12--which is marked GTD and not Wiley & Russell) have 1/32 stamped 
on them as well. I just measured the Wiley and Russell taps ( 3/4', 5/8", 
and 7/16") and found them to be between .025" and .031' OVERSIZE. 1/32" 
equates to .03125". That would seem to mean that the whole set (dies and 
taps) are 1/32 oversize.
         The question would now seem to be "Why would anyone want a set 
that is 1/32 oversize?"
                 Dave
PS, The 1/32 is NOT an owners mark nor does it indicate 1 out of 32. I'm 
sure it indicates 1/32 oversize--the question is WHY?
PPS, "Fig 222" is stamped in black in on the front of the wooden box.

At 02:18 PM 3/12/2006, you wrote:
>Hi Dave,
>
>Mebbie a S/N to keep the pieces from a number of sets together with their
>mates?  This set is #1 out of 32 ?  Is the marking on or in the box
>anywhere?  And no marks on the taps or handles, just the dies?  Strange...
>
>See ya,  Arnie
>
>On Sun, 12 Mar 2006, Dave Rotigel wrote:
>
> >       While at the Zolfo Show a week or so ago I picked up a nice old 
> tap and
> > die set made by Wiley & Russell (Greenfield, Mass.) (It's got to be rather
> > old because the 1/2 " die indicated 12 threads per inch!) The set goes from
> > 1/4" to 3/4" and each die (while removable) has it's own handle! The set is
> > in a nice old wooden box measuring  37 1/4" X 10 3/4" X 3".
> >       Now my question. Each die has 1/32 stamped (or perhaps engraved) 
> into it.
> > What does this 1/32 stand for/mean? Any help on this will be appreciated!