All of us have those tools that we favor more than others.
While some love the delicate feel of the scroll saw and the beautiful things that can be accomplished with it, others like things like reciprocating saws and masonry drill bits.
It does all depend on your personality: if you like to tear down or if you like to build up; if you like rough framing or if you like delicate trim work.
All kinds of jobs are a lot of fun but it is even more fun when it is that special thing we really like to do with that special tool we like to use.
When it comes to the perfectionist, his choice of tools is much less than that of others.
While others are concerned about getting the job done fast, his concern is to get the job done right.
That is why one of his favorite choices of tools is the tap and die.
You cannot be concerned about time or trying just to get the job done so everyone can go home when using the tap and die.
You must have patience and understand that there is only one way to do this job right and that it sometimes may take a little time to complete.
First, you need to make sure your rod, or hole, that you are working with is the correct diameter.
If the hole is slightly larger, your tap will not be effective.
If your hole is too small, you will force your tap into the hole and may break the threads on the tap.
As well, if your rod that you want to thread is not exactly right, problems will result.
You can check your diameters with a good precision caliper.
With this wonderful tool, you can make absolutely certain that you have the precise measurement needed to use the tap and die.
Another reason that perfectionists love the tap and die is because it is something that you can only use one time and it has to be right.
If somehow you cross-thread the hole you have drilled or you thread at an angle, the job is ruined and you must start over from square one.
If, somehow, you did mess up the job, then you have to re-drill the hole with a slightly larger bit and start again with a slightly larger tap and die set.
Although it seems rather tiresome and tricky to operate a tap and die, the truth is that once you learn to do it right a few times, it becomes easier and easier from there on out.
We all have stripped out bolts in our life and, after this, the panic sets in because there seems to be no "fix" for the mess.
However, if you buy a good tap and die set and learn to use it properly, this feeling of dread will go away and a feeling of excitement will enter.
It is a wonderful feeling to know that even if you mess up a job, you have the power and equipment to fix it.