Absolutely nothing from China, no matter how big of a bargain it appears. Even Sears taps and dies are at least marginal, and of one accomplishment I have in life was a city college course in Machine shop.
Its an art is all I can say, you need to understand the different types of pitch, threads in different types of steel and grades and the right lubricants.
And don’t forget the right drill bits, its not as easy as just drilling any sized hole. I cannot give you an exact brand name, I usually buy mine from a local industrial tool supply, a good 3/8ths USS taper tap is near $10, and then you have bottom taps...
Possibly the Sears Crafstmen sets are adequate, for the average use, myself I would go a bit better. Buy American.
Thanks! Those are the kinds of questions I have, things like hardness of steel, reverse thread, that sort of thing.
And I have gotten tools from China in the past, won’t make that mistake again, if it has chrome I think it’s hand painted, anything without chrome will rust out if you don’t keep it stored in an oiled rag...
I live 13 miles from the closest hardware store, and find myself needing bolt od different lengths all the time.
I go to Tractor supply and buy them by the poound, when I need one that doesnt have enough thread, I thread a longer one to the length I need. I also keep some threaded rod around and use that.
I sharpen my drill bits on a grinder, It isnt that hard to do, it just takes a little practice.
I have tried some of the drill but sharpeners and find that the grinder does a better job.Wear safety goggles.