When it comes to creating internal threads in metal, wood, or plastic, using the right thread tap makes all the difference. Each tap is designed for a specific purpose—whether you’re cutting new threads, cleaning existing ones, or ensuring precision in production. Understanding the different types of thread taps helps you choose the right tool for your project, improves efficiency, and ensures clean, accurate threads every time.
Below, we’ll walk through nine common types of thread taps and explain their unique functions, advantages, and best applications in home and building projects – baut.
Hand Taps
Best for: General-purpose threading and maintenance work.
Hand taps are the most widely used type of tap. They usually come in sets of three—taper, plug, and bottoming—each used for different stages of threading a hole. The taper tap starts the thread, the plug tap deepens it, and the bottoming tap finishes it off at full depth. These are ideal for manual tapping using a tap wrench, making them perfect for repair work, prototypes, or small batch production.
Taper Taps
Best for: Starting a new thread.
Taper taps have a long chamfer (typically 7–10 threads) that gradually cuts into the material, reducing torque and minimizing the chance of breakage. They’re great for beginners and for materials that are tough or brittle. Taper taps are often the first step in a three-tap set, helping ensure a smooth start before moving on to deeper threading.
Plug Taps
Best for: General threading through most materials.
Plug taps, also known as second taps, have a medium chamfer (around 3–5 threads). They’re commonly used after the taper tap or on their own for through-holes where chips can exit freely. In home and building applications, plug taps are reliable for threading soft metals like aluminum and brass or even plastics used in fittings and fixtures.
Bottoming Taps
Best for: Threading blind holes.
Bottoming taps feature just 1–2 threads of chamfer, allowing them to cut threads nearly to the bottom of a hole. They’re used after a taper or plug tap has already formed most of the thread. In construction or mechanical repairs where space is limited—like in a closed housing or fixture—a bottoming tap ensures maximum thread depth.
Spiral Point Taps (Gun Taps)
Best for: High-speed production and through-holes.
Spiral point taps, also called gun taps, are designed with angled cutting edges that push chips forward, out of the hole. This self-cleaning action prevents clogging and allows for faster tapping, especially with power tools. These taps are commonly used in production environments, but they’re also useful for advanced DIY projects requiring precise, efficient thread cutting.
Spiral Flute Taps
Best for: Blind holes and softer materials.
Spiral flute taps have fluted grooves that draw chips upward and out of the hole, opposite to the spiral point tap. This makes them ideal for blind holes, where chips can’t fall through. They perform particularly well in soft, ductile materials like aluminum or copper, commonly found in home installations and electrical housings.
Machine Taps
Best for: Consistent, automated production.
Machine taps are designed for use with tapping machines, drill presses, or CNC equipment. Their geometry and coatings are optimized for speed, precision, and durability under continuous use. In a building workshop or professional fabrication setting, machine taps are essential for repetitive, high-accuracy threading tasks.
Thread Forming Taps (Roll Taps)
Best for: Strong, chip-free threads.
Unlike cutting taps, thread forming taps displace material instead of cutting it. This produces stronger, smoother threads and eliminates chips entirely. They’re ideal for ductile materials such as aluminum, copper, or mild steel. Since they don’t remove material, they also extend tool life and reduce waste—making them both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Pipe Taps
Best for: Plumbing, gas fittings, and pressure systems.
Pipe taps are specifically designed to create tapered threads that seal under pressure. Common types include NPT (National Pipe Taper) and BSP (British Standard Pipe) taps. These are crucial in home and building projects involving water, gas, or air lines, ensuring leak-free connections and long-term reliability.
Choosing the Right Tap for the Job
Selecting the correct thread tap depends on three key factors:
- Hole type – through-hole or blind hole
- Material – steel, aluminum, brass, or plastic
- Tapping method – manual or machine
Always use cutting fluid or lubricant to reduce friction, extend tool life, and improve thread quality. For power-driven tapping, make sure the speed and feed rates are appropriate for your tap and material.
Final Thoughts
The right thread tap can transform the quality of your work—whether you’re building a custom fixture, repairing plumbing threads, or assembling machinery. From hand taps to high-performance spiral flutes, each type serves a specific purpose in the threading process. Understanding these differences helps professionals and DIY builders alike achieve cleaner, more reliable threads every time.
