Which side of the die has a lead-in

[Will_D]

I have never really understood which side of the die faces to piece to be threaded.

Looking has never really shown me which side has the most relief.

Is the die symetrical>

Or does the size info face the work?

BTW: Never had a problem with taps

[Chuck in E. TN]

All the dies I have say "Start this side", which if you look close has a taper in it.
Chuck

[Jonny]

Never seen that Chuck and don't disagree.

I have 4 engineering co's sets of taps and dies plus what bought the last 20 odd years, its usually the end with the engraving or etching on.

[John Rudd]

I have never really understood which side of the die faces to piece to be threaded.

Is the die symetrical>

I have ME dies that have a lead in on both faces....this can be a disadvantage if threading up close to a shoulder..

[PekkaNF]

All dies I have have text on lead side. Some even has the text Chuck described " "Start this side"" even old and then cheap carbon steel dies.

Pekka