Taps for use in industry and trade

Taps for machine tools or manual use

The classic variant is the manual tap. These consist of a combination of a tap and the so-called tap wrench. The tap wrench is required to apply sufficient force via the long handles to cut a thread by hand. The tap wrenches have adjustable jaws in which the various taps are inserted.

The second group consists of machine taps. Like drills, these are designed to be clamped in machines such as a stationary drill or other rotating machine tools. They therefore have a square shank so that they are universally compatible with any standard drill chuck on a machine tool.

Different versions of taps

There are pre-cutters and finish cutters as well as sets consisting of two matching variants. The finish cutter is designed for finishing the thread. The pre-cutter is used to pre-machine the thread first. This is important in metalworking in order to avoid high stress and temperature development during the first work step. There are even sets consisting of three taps for hand taps. A center cutter is also available here. This makes manual work even easier. In all cases, the hole for the internal thread is first created using another suitable tool, such as a metal drill.

When creating threads, there are also differences in the type of holes. This also has an influence on the tap that is required. Taps for through-hole threads eject the chips downwards, as the drill hole passes completely through the workpiece. The thread is then also passed completely through the workpiece. Later, these objects are suitable for screwing onto a rod or screw. A good example of a workpiece with a continuous thread is a simple nut.

In contrast, the taps for blind holes are equipped with a spiral groove. This groove guides the material chips produced during work upwards, as the hole in the workpiece is not continuous. Such threads are created in machines and metal beams, for example, in which a screw is later fastened.

Wide selection of thread formers and taps of all standards at TOSAG

A wide variety of thread types have become established in practice. Metric threads are common in Europe, but there are also British Standard Pipe (BSP) and armored pipe threads, which are often required. UNC, UNF and NPT threads are the standard, especially in North America. However, anyone producing in Europe for the US market must also be able to deal with these standards. Thanks to the interchangeable taps, every machine tool can be converted in just a few simple steps to produce with a different standard.

The taps for metric threads are differentiated according to diameter and Pitch. In addition, there are also taps for metric threads in fine. This means that fine threads with a narrower profile can also be produced with the taps. TOSAG stocks a wide range of these taps with metric threads.

The thread formers form a separate class. They also create internal threads in drilled holes, but work according to a different principle. They do not cut the thread into the material, but create it by deformation. This has the advantage that no chips are produced during thread forming. In addition, such tools have a longer service life and work faster. Another advantage is the high precision of the internal threads created and the smooth surface. The thread formers are suitable for materials that can be cold-formed. Most metals belong to this class.

The tolerance class is also important. TOSAG's range includes machines with ISO 2 6HX and ISO 3 6GX taps. These can be used to create threads with minor deviations and in accordance with the European standard EN 22857.

Precise and suitable for tough conditions - coated taps and formers

Different tools are required depending on the material in which the threads are to be created. Most taps are made from HSS, a hard steel that can be used to machine a wide range of different materials. These include aluminum or regular steel.

In addition, many taps at TOSAG are also available in HSSE. These drills are made from an alloy with cobalt. This makes the material harder and less sensitive to heat. These taps can also be used to machine hardened steel types, stainless steel or cast iron.

TOSAG also offers a selection of coated taps. Here you can choose between TiN-coated and OX-coated taps. TiN-coated taps are extremely heat-resistant and also resistant to acids and alkalis. Very long tool lives at high working speeds are also possible. With these properties, the taps are predestined for the industrial machining of all iron and steel workpieces.

Taps for internal threads

The counterpart to taps are dies. These are used to produce an external thread on a round workpiece, such as a rod. They are primarily intended for use with metal materials such as steel, aluminum or copper. This allows threaded rods to be produced or pipes to be threaded at the end piece.

TOSAG offers dies for manual use as well as variants that are suitable for use in machines. For example, the dies can be used in the chuck of a lathe or a stationary drilling machine. This also ensures a high quality of the threads produced, as the work is carried out precisely and accurately to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece.

For this reason, the taps in the TOSAG range are made from HSS. This high-speed steel is particularly robust, dimensionally stable and resistant to high heat. The cutting edges retain their properties even at temperatures of up to 600 degrees Celsius. This allows continuous work with these tools in industrial production.

Such dies are available for both metric and BSP threads. TOSAG also offers a wide selection of different thread diameters and pitches. For metric threads, for example, this ranges from M2 to M36 and pitches between 0.4 and 4.0. The dies for BSP threads are available in a range from G1/8 to G11/2.