Brislington Plumbing

A tap is a mechanical device that can create a thread on itself by moving back and forth, as opposed to how most machined or turned threads are cut. This article explains how taper taps work, how their cuts differ from straight threading, how they are used in different applications, and how the process of tapping is done. Tapers taps have four cutting flutes and leave behind thicker metal walls at each pass than straight taps do. The result is that standard-sized holes can be threaded with tapered taps without leaving too much material behind; whereas straight taps require more room between the whole wall and whatever needs to be tapped. The process of tapping is done by applying pressure on the body of the tool and using it to push against a threaded hole in a place that needs to be finished (a similar process as screwing something in). A tap wrench is needed to hold the tap securely while it is pushed through its course. Thread tapping courses are usually drilled before being tapped properly. Tapered tips are especially useful in cases where there is not much room for the tap to be effectively used because of other mechanical components, or when there is a need to remove a larger amount of material than what a straight tap could remove. As any machinist knows, when one force pushes against another force that has an angle attached to it (a right triangle), the second force gets pushed further than if it had been attacked from a direct 90-degree angle. This tangential force occurs between threads intolerances as well. Taper taps are used in order to compensate for such thread imperfections. Leaky taps can create a lot of trouble for homeowners and there is much time needed sometimes to fix them properly.