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. Titanium-nitride (TiN) coated taps resist heat and wear better than uncoated taps, letting them last up to twice as long. Titanium-carbonitride (TiCN) coated taps have up to three times the tool life of uncoated taps. Their hard, smooth finish offers superior resistance to chipping, wear, and heat.

These taps cut left-hand threads while keeping chips clear. Also known as gun taps, they have spiral-point flutes to 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.

These 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. All have a plug chamfer with 3-5 chamfered cutting threads, so they're suitable for start-to-finish tapping.

The spiral flute design pulls chips back toward the tap, so chips won't accumulate in closed-end holes. With no need to reverse while tapping, these taps produce threads more efficiently than standard taps and are often used for production work. They're made of high speed steel for cutting into most metal and plastic. However, they’re not recommended for tapping material with fine or powdery chips that may fall back into the hole and damage the tap or the workpiece.

Use uncoated taps for short production runs. Titanium-nitride (TiN) coated taps resist heat and wear better than uncoated taps, letting them last up to twice as long. Plug-chamfer taps have 3-5 chamfered threads for cutting into the workpiece. They require moderate torque and are good for start-to-finish tapping.

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.

Also known as cold-forming and fluteless taps, these press threads into material without cutting it, so no chips are created. They produce stronger threads than other taps, but more torque is required to drive them into the workpiece. With no need to reverse while tapping, these taps create threads more efficiently than standard taps and are often used for production work.

Use uncoated taps for short production runs.

Plug-chamfer taps are a versatile choice for most tapping applications. They have 3-5 chamfered threads to press threads into the workpiece, so they're good for start-to-finish tapping.

Bottoming-chamfer taps form threads in 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.

With a drill bit point to drive into the workpiece, these taps can drill and tap holes in a single step. A 1/4" hex shank connects them directly to tools such as drills and power screwdrivers. They're made of high-speed steel and are for use on most metal and plastic.

Their spiral flutes keep chips clear by drawing them back toward the tap and out of the hole. All have a plug chamfer with 3-5 chamfered cutting threads, so they're suitable for start-to-finish tapping.

Drill holes and cut threads without switching tools. Made of uncoated high-speed steel, these taps are for use on most metal and plastic. The square shank is compatible with 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.

Taps with spiral flutes keep chips clear by drawing them back toward the tap and out of the hole.

These taps are made of cobalt 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. All have a plug chamfer with 3-5 chamfered cutting threads, so they're suitable for start-to-finish tapping.

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.

Coated with chromium carbide or titanium carbonitride (TiCN), these cobalt steel taps cut smoothly through soft material to produce accurate threads. Their square shank is compatible with tap wrenches and tap holders for drill presses and milling machines.

Taps for through-hole threading have left-hand spiral flutes to push chips ahead of the tap and out of through holes. All have a plug chamfer with 3-5 chamfered cutting threads, so they start threads with moderate torque and are good for start-to-finish tapping.

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. Their bottoming chamfer has 1-2 chamfered cutting threads, so they can thread holes closer to the bottom than other taps. However, they'll require more torque to start threads.

Tap threads into hardened steel and iron. These cobalt steel taps have straight flutes for high durability. 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. When using them to tap closed-end holes, be sure to leave sufficient space at the bottom for chips to accumulate.

Use uncoated taps for short production runs.

To tap nickel and other hard material, these cobalt steel taps have high cutting strength. Their spiral flutes 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. All have a plug chamfer with 3-5 chamfered cutting threads, so they're suitable for start-to-finish tapping.

Taps for through-hole threading push chips ahead of the tap and out of through holes.

Taps for closed-end hole threading draw chips back toward the tap while cutting threads, preventing chip accumulation in closed-end holes.

A high helix angle provides the cutting strength needed to tap threads in titanium. These cobalt steel taps have an open flute design that keeps chips clear, so they don't need to be reversed to prevent buildup. With a square shank, they're compatible with 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.

Taps for through-hole threading have left-hand spiral flutes to push chips ahead of the tap and out of through holes.

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.

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. Titanium-carbonitride (TiCN) coated high-speed steel taps have up to three times the tool life of uncoated taps. Their hard, smooth finish offers superior resistance to chipping, wear, and heat.

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.