Carbon Steel—Carbon steel taps are for thread repair and occasional tapping.

High-Speed Steel—High-speed steel taps and dies last longer than carbon steel when used on similar material.

Plug Chamfer—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 do not start threads as easily as taper-chamfer taps. When using them to tap closed-end holes, be sure to leave sufficient space at the bottom for chips to accumulate.

Taper Chamfer—Taper-chamfer taps have 7-10 chamfered threads at the tip for cutting into the workpiece. They require 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.

Hex—Hex-shaped dies are for thread repair and can be used with conventional wrenches.

High-Speed Steel—The most versatile taps resist heat and wear to stay sharp. They’re good for most metals and plastic.

Uncoated—The economical choice, these won't last as long as coated taps.

Titanium Nitride (TiN) Coated—Run at higher speeds and last twice as long as uncoated taps.

Titanium Carbon Nitride (TiCN) Coated—Resist heat, chipping, and wear for three times the life of uncoated taps.

Spiral-Point Flute for Through Holes—Push chips ahead of the tap and out of through holes. Also known as gun taps.

Spiral Flute for Blind Holes—Pull chips back toward the tap so they won't build up in blind holes. When tapping brittle material like iron that creates fine or powdery debris, choose a straight-flute tap.

Plug Chamfer—Our go-to chamfer type. With a longer taper than a bottoming chamfer, they are easier to turn but won't thread as close the bottom of a hole.

Bottoming Chamfer—These taps have the shortest taper to thread close to the bottom of blind holes. They require the most force to turn, so they’re often used to finish holes started by plug-chamfer taps.

High-Speed Steel—The most versatile taps resist heat and wear to stay sharp. They’re good for most metals and plastic.

Black Oxide—The dark finish increases wear resistance and reduces friction to improve chip flow, so these taps can last 50% longer than uncoated taps.

Spiral-Point Flute for Through Holes—Push chips ahead of the tap and out of through holes. Also known as gun taps.

Spiral Flute for Blind Holes—Pull chips back toward the tap so they won't build up in blind holes. When tapping brittle material like iron that creates fine or powdery debris, choose a straight-flute tap.

Plug Chamfer—Our go-to chamfer type. With a longer taper than a bottoming chamfer, they are easier to turn but won't thread as close the bottom of a hole.

Bottoming Chamfer—These taps have the shortest taper to thread close to the bottom of blind holes. They require the most force to turn, so they’re often used to finish holes started by plug-chamfer taps.