{"id":10796,"date":"2025-08-13T23:06:23","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T07:06:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/richconn.com\/?p=10796"},"modified":"2025-08-13T23:06:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T07:06:24","slug":"types-of-thread-taps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/richconn.com\/types-of-thread-taps\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Types of Thread Taps: Choosing the Right Tap","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cutting internal threads becomes much easier when you pick the right tap for the job. If you use the wrong one you will break your tool or end up with poor threads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want clean and accurate threads then this blog post will help; because here we will explain the well-known thread taps and give you tips to select the right one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Thread Tap?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In simple terms a thread tap is a cutting tool to create threads in an already drilled hole in plastic or metal. It cuts spiral grooves that match screw or bolt sizes so that fasteners can fit tightly. Most of the taps we see in our surroundings have grooves between 2 and 5;\u00a0these grooves not only help clean chips but form even threads too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also See<\/em><\/strong>: <\/em>Threaded Holes Machining_ A Complete Guide<\/u><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well Known Tap Styles in the Market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Hand Taps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Hand<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hand taps are the basic tools which are sold in sets of 3. These taps are so simple that they can be used by hand and can also work with the help of a machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taper Tap_ To cut with Ease<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s an initial tap which basically has a lengthy chamfer at its first 8 or 10 threads. This helps it to start a cutting process. Moreover its gradual cutting action minimizes the force needed to cut any material. Therefore all this proves it a great choice for starting threads in hard materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plug Tap<\/em><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Unlike taper tap it has a short chamfer of about 3\u20105 threads. It is a well-known tap used for general purposes i.e., if you have to cut threads a little deeper inside through holes or when a taper tap has done its work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bottoming Tap for Finishing<\/em><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Next step is finishing your blind hole and for this purpose you need to cut full threads which must reach the endpoint therefore you have to use a bottoming tap. Interestingly it has a very short chamfer of 1\u20102 threads and you can end your work with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Machine and CNC Ready Taps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can use machine taps with the help of electric equipment such as CNC\u2010machines<\/u><\/a>. These taps are so fast that they can cut threads in only one step. Just firm guidance is needed to avoid flaws. But\u00a0they are designed to work through machines, so don\u2019t use them by hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiral Point Taps for Through\u2010Holes<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Spiral<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gun taps or spiral point taps have parallel flutes and an angled cutting edge at their tip. This shape kicks chips in and out of the hole and this avoids clogging. Basically they work best for through\u2010holes and high speed jobs; and also help remove chips proficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiral Flute Taps<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Spiral<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In spiral\u2010flute taps the actual thing which works is helical flutes that wind up the tap. These flutes pull chips back and out from a blind hole. In fact this design is great for blind holes or for materials like aluminum that make long and stringy chips. In addition it helps clear chips and avoid tangles as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interrupted Thread Taps to Lower Friction<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Interrupted<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Interrupted\u2010thread taps have spaces between some cutting threads. These spaces are helpful as they lower friction, increase chip space as well as let coolant flow well. Moreover they are good to use on soft, stringy or ductile nature of materials that mostly clog threads with chips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Niche and Specialty Taps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can find many specialty taps for unique materials, uses or tough machining situations. These go beyond standard machine taps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thread Forming Taps to Shape Material<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Thread<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the name indicates a thread\u2010forming tap does not cut material. Actually it pushes and shapes the metal to form threads which work\u2010hardens <\/u><\/a>the area and forms stronger threads. This tap is good for ductile metals like copper and aluminum. Surprisingly it can last up to 20 times longer as compared to a typical cutting tap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extension Tap<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Extension<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An extension tap is a type which lets you thread deeper holes or allow\u00a0threading in hard to reach places. In fact it extends the length of a standard tap. You can use it to tap places that would otherwise require some custom length taps; and also save time and money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master Tap for Gages Perfection<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Master<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A master tap is a kind of reference tool to check either the thread gages or thread quality. Its high precision helps you confirm that threaded parts or production taps fulfill not only\u00a0dimensional but quality standards as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pipe Taps<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Pipe<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pipe taps are used for threading fittings as well as for pipes. They can cut tapered threads that form a tight seal for any type of gas or liquid. In most cases NPT taps need a sealant. NPTF (Dryseal) taps on the other hand can handle high pressure jobs & they\u00a0do\u00a0not need any sealant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solid Carbide Taps for Abrasive Work<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Solid<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Solid\u2010carbide taps are made up of extremely hard carbide which is extraordinarily resistant towards wear. You can use them to machine tough or even abrasive substances up to 63\u202fHRC because they are designed to work on such types. In addition they offer long tool life which outperforms in consistency when threading hardened cast\u2010iron, steels and other hard metals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay Bolt Taps<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Stay<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boilermakers use stay\u2010bolt taps in order to tap holes inside steam\u2010locomotive boilers. These taps are long\u2014up to 18\u202finches\u2014and are strong enough to keep alignment as well as cut threads with the help of thick steel in two things i.e., the outer shell & firebox plates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not sure which specialty tap is <\/em>actually <\/em>right for you than our team at RICHCONN can help. Our engineers will give you practical advice and can create custom <\/em>taps <\/em>for your project requirements.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Decide Which Tap is better for You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Workpiece Material Type<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Always tally your tap material to the workpiece. For mild steel or aluminum use HSS taps as they really work well. For tough metals like stainless steel use TiN or cobalt coated taps; but for hardened steel use carbide taps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Match Speed, Holder and Automation Level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you need high speed work or some kind of automation in CNC work then choose taps that can clean chips quickly and are also resistant towards wear. Spiral\u2010flute and spiral\u2010point taps definitely work well in these environments. By the way if you have a plan for manual tapping then use a traditional hand tap set. Start with a taper tap then use a plug tap and finish with a bottoming tap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know Your Hole Type<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The type of hole you need to tap will guide your tap selection.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n