What Is a Tap & Die Tool?
Tap and die tools are used to make threads in material such as metal or wood. Cutting a hole with threads is called tapping, and cutting threads on a bolt is called threading. Bolt threads are cut with a die.
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Tapping
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Tapping is done in three stages, each removing more material. The first gives a rough thread cut in a smooth hole and the last a finished cut.
Intermediate Tap
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This tool is tapered, which makes it easier to start the tap in an existing hole. The amount of taper is usually designated by the number of threads that are in the tapered area.
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Bottoming Tap
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This is also called a plug tap. This tool is has almost no taper. One to one and a half threads taper is typical for taps. It is commonly used to tap a blind hole, one that doesn't go completely through the material.
Taper Tap
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Threads cut with this tap don't engage the material as quickly, and the cutting engagement is more gradual. The taper is eight to 10 threads.
Machine Tapping
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This is done on a lathe, some type of drilling machine, or vertical milling machine. Taps are more accurate, and the hole is often tapped in a single step because human variables are eliminated. Bolt threads can also be cut on turning machines such as lathes.
Dies
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Dies are made specifically for one diameter and thread combination
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