Often used for thread repair and occasional hand tapping, these carbon steel taps can thread holes in most metal and plastic, but they have a shorter tool life than standard taps.

Taper-chamfer taps have 7-10 chamfered threads at the tip for cutting into the workpiece. This lets them cut with less torque than other chamfer types, making them a good choice for starting threads and tapping through holes. However, a longer taper means that they cannot thread as close to the bottom of closed-end holes.

Plug-chamfer taps are a versatile choice for most tapping applications. With 3-5 chamfered cutting threads, they require moderate torque and are often used for start-to-finish tapping of through holes and closed-end holes. However, they start threads less easily than taper chamfers. When using them to tap closed-end holes, be sure to leave sufficient space at the bottom for chips to accumulate.

Bottoming-chamfer taps cut into the workpiece with just 1-2 chamfered threads. This short chamfer lets them thread holes closer to the bottom than other taps, but they require more torque to start threads.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.

Keep chips clear while tapping. Also known as gun taps, these have spiral-point flutes that push chips ahead of the tap and out of through holes. Because they don't need to be reversed to prevent buildup, they produce threads more efficiently than standard taps and are suitable for production work. They're made of high-speed steel for use on most metal and plastic. With a square shank, they're compatible with tap wrenches and tap holders for drill presses and milling machines. All have a plug chamfer with 3-5 chamfered cutting threads, so they're suitable for start-to-finish tapping.

Use uncoated taps for short production runs.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.

These taps are made of high-speed steel for higher strength and wear resistance than standard taps. Their flutes are designed to keep chips clear, so they don't need to be reversed to prevent buildup. With a square shank, they're compatible with tap wrenches and tap holders for drill presses and milling machines. Taps with plug chamfers have 3-5 chamfered cutting threads. Taps with bottoming chamfers have 1-2 threads.

Taps for through-hole threading have spiral-point flutes, which push chips ahead of the tap and out of through holes. They're also known as gun taps.

Taps for closed-end hole threading have right-hand spiral flutes. They draw chips back toward the tap while cutting threads to prevent chip accumulation in closed-end holes.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.

For start-to-finish tapping of left-hand threads, these sets include one taper-, one plug-, and one bottoming-chamfer tap. All taps are made of high-speed steel and are for use on most metal and plastic. With a square shank, they're compatible with tap wrenches and tap holders for drill presses and milling machines.

Taper-chamfer taps have 7-10 chamfered threads at the tip for cutting into the workpiece. This lets them cut with less torque than other chamfer types, making them a good choice for starting threads and tapping through holes. However, a longer taper means that they cannot thread as close to the bottom of closed-end holes.

Plug-chamfer taps are a versatile choice for most tapping applications. With 3-5 chamfered cutting threads, they require moderate torque and are often used for start-to-finish tapping of through holes and closed-end holes. However, they start threads less easily than taper chamfers. When using them to tap closed-end holes, be sure to leave sufficient space at the bottom for chips to accumulate.

Bottoming-chamfer taps cut into the workpiece with just 1-2 chamfered threads. This short chamfer lets them thread holes closer to the bottom than other taps, but they require more torque to start threads.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.