Steel Taps & Tapping Tools

Dies are used to create the male component of an assembly by cutting a thread on the external surface of a metal rod, such as a screw or bolt. Our selection of dies includes round adjustable dies and die stocks.

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 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 tap extractor is a specialized tool with hardened prongs that fit into the flutes of a broken tap inside a threaded hole. By carefully turning the extractor (usually with a wrench), the broken tap can be unscrewed and removed, helping to salvage the workpiece. It requires gentle force and sometimes lubrication to work effectively.

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.