Product Selection Differences for Hand Taps

When selecting hand taps, there are several key differences to consider:

1. Material: Hand taps are typically made of high-speed steel (HSS) or cobalt for general-purpose use, while carbide taps are used for more demanding applications like stainless steel. Consider the material you will be tapping and choose a tap that is suitable for that material.

2. Coating: Taps can also come with various coatings such as TiN (Titanium Nitride) or TiCN (Titanium Carbonitride) to increase tool life and reduce friction. Choose a tap with a coating that is compatible with the material being tapped.

3. Thread type: Consider the type of thread you need to tap, whether it's coarse or fine, metric or imperial. Make sure to select a tap that matches the desired thread specifications.

4. Tap design: There are different designs of taps such as taper, plug, and bottoming taps. Taper taps have a more gradual starting point, plug taps are more versatile and bottoming taps reach the bottom of blind holes. Choose the tap design that best suits your specific application.

5. Size: Select the correct tap size based on the hole size you are tapping. Using the wrong size tap can lead to threading errors and damage to the material.

6. Quality: Look for reputable brands that are known for producing high-quality taps. Quality taps will last longer and provide better performance.

By considering these factors, you can choose the most suitable hand tap for your specific requirements.