Types of Taps for Tapered Threads: Pipe TapsĪs you might expect, Pipe Taps are the types of thread taps used for tapping pipe threads. Removing every other tooth helps break chips and also provides more room for the chip to escape and for lubricant to come in and do its job. The idea is to provide improved chip extraction. These thread taps only have a tooth for every other thread. Choosing the right types of taps really helps! Interrupted Thread Tap You’ll be shocked at how much less effort the spiral flute tap requires. Sometime, take a spiral flute tap and a regular hand tap and tap a couple of identical holes by hand. They’re also preferable for an interrupted hole where another feature intersects because the spiral helps restart the threading past the open feature. They’re always preferable over spiral point taps when you have a blind hole. Their primary advantage is they eject chips up and out of the hole. Spiral Flute Taps have an open spiral just like an endmill. This is not a big deal for through holes, but is a bad idea for blind holes. The primary disadvantage of these is they push the chips ahead of the tap–down into the hole in other words. They’re cheaper than the other two types, but I typically prefer the other two. Like hand taps, sprial point taps can be had as a taper tap has a tapered end, or a plug tap (intended for blind holes) has much less taper. Hence, they’re really the least expensive thread tap you might consider using for power tapping, and can be run at slightly higher speeds than hand taps. But, the spiral angle on the front cutting edges helps eject the chips and the angled edge also gives superior cutting performance.
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They’re common and look like most of the hand taps you’ll see around. These thread taps have a spiral cut with relief grooves. Spiral Point Taps (Gun Nose or Bull Nose Taps)
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These are the types of taps you should choose from for CNC applications or for manual machining work. Check to be sure what you’re getting and using. Some vendors call these “Second Taps” and refer to Bottoming Taps as Plug Taps. Unfortunately, terminology is not always consistent. Plug Taps are in between Bottoming and Taper Taps because they have 3-5 threads tapered, which is more than a Bottoming Tap and less than a Taper Tap. It’s desireable to thread most of the hole with a Taper Tap first, and then finish the bottom of the hole with a Bottoming Tap. Only 1 to 1.5 threads will be tapered.īottoming Taps are useful for threading blind holes. Bottoming TapĪ bottoming tap has almost no taper at the end because it is designed to thread all the way to the bottom of its reach.
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Taper Taps are the most common types of taps and are typically what you’ll have in a Tap and Die Set. Typically, the first 8 to 10 threads are tapered. There are two types of Hand Taps: Taper TapĪ taper tap has quite a lot of taper to help it ease into cutting threads gradually.
#TAP TAP BREAKING FREE TO PLAY ISO#
One applicable standard for Hand Taps is ISO 529. You’ll be surprised at how much better taps made for machines work. Buy some good quality taps and try tapping by hand versus the hardware store set of thread taps. Hand taps, typically bought at the local hardware store, are the most common types of taps, but they are generally to be avoided for CNC work. Note: If you’re familiar with tap types, but need to learn best practices in their use to avoid breaking taps, try our article and video 7 Ways to Avoid Breaking Taps.Ī great variety of thread taps are available with varying advantages and disadvantages: Hand Taps (Tap Set Taps, Straight Flute Taps) There are many different types of thread taps, and knowing exactly when to use each will make your tapping faster and easier. This is your complete guide to types of taps.