HSS Hand Taps

High-Speed Steel (HSS) Hand Taps

Shop high-speed steel (HSS) hand taps for creating and repairing internal threads in metal. HSS taps offer a useful combination of hardness, toughness, and wear resistance for machine shops, fabrication, maintenance, and general threading applications.

Our selection includes machine screw and fractional hand taps, metric hand taps, and specialty sizes, with Qualtech and Tap America options. Choose the correct thread diameter, pitch, and tap style for your application.

Need the matching drill bit? Shop our Hand Tap and Drill Sets, or use our Tap and Drill Chart to select your drill separately.

Types of HSS Hand Taps

Machine Screw and Fractional Hand Taps

Inch-size HSS hand taps are available for machine screw and fractional thread sizes, including common UNC coarse and UNF fine threads. They are used for general-purpose fastening, repair, and metalworking.

Metric HSS Hand Taps

Metric hand taps produce threads identified by nominal diameter and pitch in millimeters, such as M6 x 1.0 and M8 x 1.25. Use our Metric Tap Drill Calculator to determine the appropriate drill size.

Special Size HSS Hand Taps

Special-size hand taps are available for threading applications that require less common diameters, pitches, or thread combinations. Verify the exact specifications before selecting the tap.

8 Pitch Special Hand Taps

Special 8 TPI taps are used for applications requiring eight threads per inch. Because pitch alone does not identify the complete thread specification, confirm the diameter and thread form before ordering.

Taper, Plug, and Bottoming HSS Hand Taps

Taper Taps

A long starting chamfer helps the tap enter the workpiece gradually and maintain alignment during manual tapping.

Plug Taps

Plug taps provide a versatile general-purpose option for threading through holes and suitable blind holes with sufficient clearance.

Bottoming Taps

A short chamfer allows threads to be cut closer to the bottom of a blind hole, typically after the thread has been started with another tap.

Why Choose HSS Instead of Carbon Steel?

Cutting Performance

HSS retains useful cutting hardness at elevated temperatures and is generally preferred for cutting new threads in a range of machinable metals.

Durability

HSS offers good wear resistance and toughness when the correct tap, lubrication, and cutting conditions are used.

Carbon Steel Applications

Carbon steel taps are often an economical choice for lighter-duty work and chasing existing threads. For repeated cutting of new threads, HSS is generally the more versatile choice.

How to Choose the Right HSS Hand Tap

1. Identify the Thread Standard

Determine whether you need UNC, UNF, metric, or a special thread specification.

2. Confirm Diameter and Pitch

Match both the nominal diameter and thread pitch to the required fastener or component.

3. Select the Chamfer Style

Choose taper, plug, or bottoming based on how the thread will be started and the depth of the hole.

4. Match the Drill Bit

Purchase a Hand Tap and Drill Set with a matching drill, or use our Tap and Drill Chart, Special Tap Calculator, or Metric Tap Drill Calculator.

5. Use the Correct Tap Wrench

For manual threading, use a suitable tap wrench and keep the tool aligned with the hole. See our Tap Wrench Chart.

Frequently Asked Questions About HSS Hand Taps

What does HSS mean on a tap?

HSS stands for high-speed steel, a tool steel used for cutting tools because of its hardness, toughness, and ability to retain cutting performance under heat.

Are HSS hand taps better than carbon steel taps?

HSS taps are generally preferred for cutting new threads and repeated metalworking applications. Carbon steel taps can be suitable for lighter-duty threading and thread repair.

Can HSS taps cut stainless steel?

Suitable HSS taps can cut stainless steel, but tap geometry, workpiece grade, cutting fluid, and operating conditions are important. Not every general-purpose HSS tap is ideal for every stainless steel application.

What drill size do I need for an HSS hand tap?

The correct drill size depends on the thread diameter, pitch, and desired engagement. Use our Tap and Drill Chart, or choose a matched tap and drill set.

Can I use an HSS hand tap in a machine?

Some HSS hand taps can be used in appropriate machine tapping operations, but tool geometry and cutting conditions must be suitable for the machine and application.

Learn More About Taps and Thread Cutting

Explore Drill America's threading tools and learn more about choosing taps for metalworking, maintenance, and fabrication.

Proper thread sizing, tap selection, and drill preparation help produce accurate internal threads.

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