Female Thread Cutting

Bottoming taps can cut threads deeper into a blind hole than can taper taps.

Female threads can be cut in metal stock by use of a tap. They come in both tapering (far photo at left) or bottoming (near photo at left) types. They are held in a handle called a tap wrench—T-handle (left at bottom) or adjustable (bottom center and right). They are fed into the stock, cutting threads as the handle is turned. Male threads are cut with a die usually held in a die stock.