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.

These taps are for use on most metal and plastic. They have a square shank that's compatible with tap wrenches and tap holders for drill presses and milling machines.

Uncoated carbon steel taps are for thread repair and occasional tapping. Use uncoated high-speed steel taps for small-scale tapping jobs. Titanium-nitride (TiN) coated high-speed steel taps resist heat and wear better than uncoated taps, letting them last up to twice as long.

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.

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 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 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.