Tapping the Hard Stuff

Author Joseph Hazelton
Published
March 01, 2007 - 11:00am

Design and use of taps for threading harder materials. Specially designed taps can be very effective for threading hard materials, as can thread mills.

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Related Glossary Terms

  • threading

    threading

    Process of both external (e.g., thread milling) and internal (e.g., tapping, thread milling) cutting, turning and rolling of threads into particular material. Standardized specifications are available to determine the desired results of the threading process. Numerous thread-series designations are written for specific applications. Threading often is performed on a lathe. Specifications such as thread height are critical in determining the strength of the threads. The material used is taken into consideration in determining the expected results of any particular application for that threaded piece. In external threading, a calculated depth is required as well as a particular angle to the cut. To perform internal threading, the exact diameter to bore the hole is critical before threading. The threads are distinguished from one another by the amount of tolerance and/or allowance that is specified. See turning.

Author

Joseph L. Hazelton is a freelance writer with multiple years of experience writing and editing articles for metalworking publications.