I like form taps for rigid tapping. We have tapped a couple thousand 10-24 holes in aluminum and are still on the same tap. If you are through tapping a good spiral point tap works well. I like OSG taps, I think that's what Fastenal sells, have had very good luck with their taps. For blind holes, the form taps work very well or as an alternative a spiral flute works well because the pull the chips up as they are cutting.
The local hardware store taps are pretty much junk IMHO, and I only buy those on a Saturday afternoon as a last resort.