Cut threads into most metal and plastic. These high-speed steel taps are durable enough for small-scale tapping jobs, but they're not recommended for production use. For better chip flow, choose a tap with fewer flutes.

Drive square-shank taps with a tap wrench or use them in a tap holder for drill presses and milling machines. Uncoated taps are strong enough for most tapping jobs but have the shortest tool life. Titanium-nitride (TiN) coated 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.

Sets include one taper-, one plug-, and one bottoming-chamfer tap.

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