Taps and Dies

Taps and Dies

Taps and dies are essential tools for any automotive mechanic. They are used to create threads in metal, which is necessary for a variety of tasks, such as attaching bolts and nuts. Taps are used to create the female threads, while dies are used to create the male threads.

Taps and dies come in a variety of sizes, so it is important to choose the right one for the job. The size of the tap or die is determined by the number of threads per inch (TPI). For example, a 10-32 tap has 10 threads per inch.

Taps and dies can be made from a variety of materials, including steel, carbide, and titanium. Steel taps are the most common type and are suitable for most applications. Carbide taps are more durable than steel taps and are better suited for threading hard materials. Titanium taps are the most expensive type of tap but are also the most durable.

Taps and dies are available in both hand-operated and power-operated models. Hand-operated taps and dies are typically used for small projects, while power-operated taps and dies are used for larger projects.

Types of Taps and Dies

There are two main types of taps and dies: spiral taps and straight taps. Spiral taps are the most common type and are used for threading holes in both soft and hard materials. Straight taps are less common and are used for threading holes in hard materials.

Taps and dies can also be classified by their thread type. The most common thread type is the American National Thread (AN). Other thread types include the Metric Thread (M), the British Standard Thread (BS), and the Unified Thread (UN).

Using Taps and Dies

Using taps and dies is relatively straightforward. However, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to get the best results.

• Use the right size tap or die for the job.
• Make sure the tap or die is sharp.
• Apply pressure evenly to the tap or die.
• Turn the tap or die clockwise.
• Back the tap or die out frequently to clear chips.

By following these tips, you can easily thread holes in metal with taps and dies.

Bulleted List of Taps and Dies

• Spiral taps
• Straight taps
• American National Thread (AN)
• Metric Thread (M)
• British Standard Thread (BS)
• Unified Thread (UN)