Reid Select Taps & Tapping Tools

Taps are used to cut a thread on the internal surface of a hole, creating the female component of an assembly, such as a nut or socket. We offer an extensive line of high-quality taps that includes the following types: extension, pulley, hand, pipe, spiral flute, spiral point, straight flute, screw thread insert, and thread forming taps.

We carry an assortment of tapping tools, such as hand tappers, tap extractors, and tap wrenches.

A pulley tap is a specialized tap with a long shank designed for threading holes in pulley hubs. These threads are primarily for installing oil cups for lubrication or set screws for securing the pulley to a shaft. The long shank allows the tap to reach through the pulley's rim to the inner hub.

A spiral flute tap is a type of tap with helical grooves designed to pull chips upwards and out of the hole during tapping, especially in blind holes and ductile materials. This prevents chip buildup, leading to better thread quality, reduced tap breakage, and improved cutting efficiency. Different helix angles are available for various materials.

A spiral point tap (or gun tap) is designed for tapping through holes. Its key feature is an angled cutting face that pushes chips forward and out of the hole. This allows for faster tapping, better thread quality, and reduced tap breakage compared to other taps in through-hole applications.

A thread forming tap (or roll tap) creates internal threads by displacing material instead of cutting, resulting in no chips, stronger threads, better surface finish, longer tool life, and faster tapping speeds. However, they require more torque, precise hole sizes, and are best for ductile materials.