12 best spiral flute taps

Spiral flute taps are a type of threading tap commonly used in machining and manufacturing processes to create threaded holes in various materials, including metal, plastic, and wood. These taps are a specific category within the broader family of threading taps and have distinct features that make them suitable for specific applications.

Key characteristics and features of spiral flute taps include:

Helical Flutes: Spiral flute taps have helical or spiral-shaped flutes (grooves) along the length of the tap.These flutes help to effectively evacuate chips (the material being removed) from the hole during the tapping process. The helical design also assists in reducing friction and heat generation.
Chip Evacuation: The spiral flutes of these taps create a continuous path for the chips to move upward and out of the hole being threaded. This feature is particularly beneficial when working with materials that produce long chips or are prone to chip buildup, as it helps prevent jamming and tool damage.
Suitable for Blind Holes: Spiral flute taps are well-suited for threading blind holes, where the hole does not go through the entire workpiece. The efficient chip evacuation ensures that chips do not get trapped in the hole, which can lead to threading issues.
Materials Compatibility: These taps can be used with a wide range of materials, including various metals, plastics, and composites. The choice of tap material and coating can enhance their performance and tool life in specific applications.
Versatility: Spiral flute taps are versatile and can be used in a variety of machining operations, including drilling and tapping in a single pass (also known as drilling and tapping in one operation).
Variations: Spiral flute taps come in various designs and sizes to accommodate different thread profiles (e.g., metric, unified, NPT) and hole diameters. Selecting the right tap for the specific application is crucial for achieving accurate and reliable threads.

In summary, spiral flute taps are cutting tools designed for threading holes in various materials. Their spiral flutes aid in efficient chip evacuation and make them suitable for use in blind holes. These taps are versatile and available in different sizes and designs to meet the requirements of different threading applications in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best spiral flute taps on the market

YG1 TG836SET8 | 3 Flute Spiral HSS-Ex TiCN Coated Combo Tap Set

YG1

Based on 4 reviews Check latest price

Product description

YG1 3 FL Spiral Combo Tap Set HSS-Ex TiCN Coated - 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16 UNC/F

Our Part # YG1-TG836SET8
Combo 8 pc. tap set with TiCN coated taps - 1/4-20, 1/4-28, 5/16-18, 5-16-24, 3/8-16, 3/8-24, 7/16-14 & 7/16-20
Reduces tap breakage, ensures accurate thread depth. Eliminates loose threads due to tap overfeeding
Improves thread quality and chip evacuation. Allows tapping of many metals including stainless steel and steels Eliminates "bird nests" around tap shank

Rocaris 9 Pack of M2 M2.5 M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12 Titanium Coated HSS Spiral Flute Metric Taps Set

Rocaris

Based on 27 reviews Check latest price

Product description

9Pack M2 M2.5 M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12 Titanium Coated HSS Spiral Flute Metric Taps Set

Features:

High hardness, fast cutting, wear high temperature.

Spiral groove is conducive to remove crumbs, not easily broken tap.

Tap the crumbs into a spiral up chip evacuation, it is more suitable for the processing of blind holes and

sticky materials processing.

Applicable Workpiece: tensile strength 750N / mm 2 or less the low-carbon steel, copper, aluminum,

magnesium alloy; anti-bonding strength 600 ~ 900N / mm 2 the high-carbon steel, alloy steel, bronze, etc.

Specifications:

Material: HSS

Surface treatment: Ti

Package Included:

9 x Titanium screw tap

High hardness, fast cutting, wear high temperature.
Spiral groove is conducive to remove crumbs, not easily broken tap.
Spiral Tap the crumbs into a spiral up chip evacuation, it is more suitable for the processing of blind holes and
sticky materials processing.

YG-1 - F4563 F4 Series Vanadium Alloy HSS Spiral Flute Tap, Steam Oxide, Round Shank with Square End, Bottoming Chamfer, 1/2"-13 Thread Size, H3 Tolerance

Based on 25 reviews Check latest price

Product description

YG-1 F4 series vanadium alloy HSS spiral flute tap for multi-purpose. High-speed steel tools are good for most general purpose applications, offering a combination of hardness and toughness for wear resistance. Black oxide treatment adds lubricity and creates small pockets on the surface of the tool that act to hold coolant near the cutting edge. Round shanks allow use with a wide variety of toolholding systems. When run in a counterclockwise direction (right-hand cut) spiral fluted tools evacuate chips up and out of the cut to reduce clogging. 0.9375-inches thread length. Applications: Good for steel castings and forgings/heat-treatable alloy steels, free machining stainless steel, heat and corrosion-resistant stainless steel/valve stainless steel, aluminum alloy castings. Excellent for low carbon/free machining carbon steel, medium to high carbon steel.

High-speed steel tools are good for most general purpose applications, offering a combination of hardness and toughness for wear resistance
Black oxide treatment adds lubricity and creates small pockets on the surface of the tool that act to hold coolant near the cutting edge
Round shanks allow use with a wide variety of toolholding systems
When run in a counterclockwise direction (right-hand cut) spiral fluted tools evacuate chips up and out of the cut to reduce clogging
0.9375-inches thread length

Rocaris 5 Pcs M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 Titanium Coated HSS Spiral Flute Metric Taps Set

Drill Warehouse

Based on 220 reviews Check latest price

Product description

5 Pcs M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 Titanium Coated HSS Spiral Flute Metric Taps Set

Features:

High hardness, fast cutting, wear high temperature.

Spiral groove is conducive to remove crumbs, not easily broken tap.

Tap the crumbs into a spiral up chip evacuation, it is more suitable for the processing of blind holes and

sticky materials processing.

Applicable Workpiece: tensile strength 750N / mm 2 or less the low-carbon steel, copper, aluminum,

magnesium alloy; anti-bonding strength 600 ~ 900N / mm 2 the high-carbon steel, alloy steel, bronze, etc.

Specifications:

Material: HSS

Surface treatment: Ti

Type Size:

M3: 3mm*0.5mm

M4: 4mm*0.7mm

M5: 5mm*0.8mm

M6: 6mm*1mm

M8: 8mm*1.25 mm

Package Included:

5 x Titanium screw tap

High hardness, fast cutting, wear high temperature.
Spiral groove is conducive to remove crumbs, not easily broken tap.
Spiral Tap the crumbs into a spiral up chip evacuation, it is more suitable for the processing of blind holes and
sticky materials processing.

User questions & answers

Question:	where are these made
Answer:	They have a reduced shank as pictured, but the flute ends shortly after the threads.Theoretically you could tap a hole deeper than the threads, but you wouldn't be able to clear the chips which might cause the tap to get stuck. You wouldn't gain any fastening advantage by going deeper unless the upper threads were destroyed for some reason. If the threads need to through the material, you would want to use a spiral tap that pushes the chips down rather than up like this one. Another solution might be to thread as deep as you can and then drill a relief hole from the back of the material up to the threads.
Question:	my other tap only goes to the end of thread. how low can this go
Answer:	I didn't watch the video, so I can't answer to that, but the picture shown of the spiral taps is accurate. I use them often as part of my business. Except for the 3 mm tap, I put them in a drill chuck at low speed and as of yet, haven't broken or needed to replace any. The 3 mm one I use with a tap handle because I don't believe I can stop the drill fast enough should the tap stop turning. These seem to be more rugged than more expensive ones that I have bought in the past. As with all taps, it is important to use a good cutting oil.
Question:	your video shows plug taps. not the spiral taps your trying to sell get your stuff straight
Answer:	taps only, there are combo sets available with drill tap and countersink combined.
Question:	Is this just a tap set or a drill and tap set? Do the bits drill as well
Answer:	3/8-16 THREAD DRAW BAR ON MT3

YG-1 - F4483 F4 Series Vanadium Alloy HSS Spiral Flute Tap, Steam Oxide, Round Shank with Square End, Bottoming Chamfer, 3/8"-16 Thread Size, H3 Tolerance

YG-1 Tool Company

Based on 58 reviews Check latest price

Product description

YG-1 F4 series vanadium alloy HSS spiral flute tap for multi-purpose. High-speed steel tools are good for most general purpose applications, offering a combination of hardness and toughness for wear resistance. Black oxide treatment adds lubricity and creates small pockets on the surface of the tool that act to hold coolant near the cutting edge. Round shanks allow use with a wide variety of toolholding systems. When run in a counterclockwise direction (right-hand cut) spiral fluted tools evacuate chips up and out of the cut to reduce clogging. 0.75-inches thread length. Applications: Good for steel castings and forgings/heat-treatable alloy steels, free machining stainless steel, heat and corrosion-resistant stainless steel/valve stainless steel, aluminum alloy castings. Excellent for low carbon/free machining carbon steel, medium to high carbon steel.

High-speed steel tools are good for most general purpose applications, offering a combination of hardness and toughness for wear resistance
Black oxide treatment adds lubricity and creates small pockets on the surface of the tool that act to hold coolant near the cutting edge
Round shanks allow use with a wide variety of toolholding systems
When run in a counterclockwise direction (right-hand cut) spiral fluted tools evacuate chips up and out of the cut to reduce clogging
0.75-inches thread length

User questions & answers

Question:	What size is the shank? What size Collett do I need for this 3/8 16 tap bit
Answer:	It's rounded off on the square drive, with a 5mm circle cut flat; no centering hole. The cutting face is triple pointed and planar, no conical taper.
Question:	What does the tail of the tap look like? Is it conical or does it have a center hole
Answer:	china

BQKKWIN 5 Pcs M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 Titanium Coated HSS Spiral Flute Metric Taps Set (Black)

BQKKWIN

Check latest price

Product description

5 Pcs M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 Titanium Coated HSS Spiral Flute Metric Taps Set

Features: High hardness, fast cutting, wear high temperature.

Spiral groove is conducive to remove crumbs, not easily broken tap.

Tap the crumbs into a spiral up chip evacuation, it is more suitable for the processing of blind holes and sticky materials processing.

Applicable Workpiece: tensile strength 750N / mm 2 or less the low-carbon steel, copper, aluminum,

magnesium alloy; anti-bonding strength 600 ~ 900N / mm 2 the high-carbon steel, alloy steel, bronze, etc.

Specifications:

Material: HSS

Surface treatment: Ti

Type Size:

M3: 3mm*0.5mm

M4: 4mm*0.7mm

M5: 5mm*0.8mm

M6: 6mm*1mm

M8: 8mm*1.25 mm

Package Included:

5 x Titanium screw tap

High hardness, fast cutting, wear high temperature.
Spiral groove is conducive to remove crumbs, not easily broken tap.
Spiral Tap the crumbs into a spiral up chip evacuation, it is more suitable for the processing of blind holes and
sticky materials processing.

HARKY - F4443 F4 Series Vanadium Alloy HSS Spiral Flute Tap, Steam Oxide, Round Shank with Square End, Bottoming Chamfer, 5/16"-18 Thread Size, H3 Tolerance

YG-1 Tool Company

Based on 30 reviews Check latest price

Product description

YG-1 F4 series vanadium alloy HSS spiral flute tap for multi-purpose. High-speed steel tools are good for most general purpose applications, offering a combination of hardness and toughness for wear resistance. Black oxide treatment adds lubricity and creates small pockets on the surface of the tool that act to hold coolant near the cutting edge. Round shanks allow use with a wide variety of toolholding systems. When run in a counterclockwise direction (right-hand cut) spiral fluted tools evacuate chips up and out of the cut to reduce clogging. 0.6875-inches thread length. Applications: Good for steel castings and forgings/heat-treatable alloy steels, free machining stainless steel, heat and corrosion-resistant stainless steel/valve stainless steel, aluminum alloy castings. Excellent for low carbon/free machining carbon steel, medium to high carbon steel.

High-speed steel tools are good for most general purpose applications, offering a combination of hardness and toughness for wear resistance
Black oxide treatment adds lubricity and creates small pockets on the surface of the tool that act to hold coolant near the cutting edge
Round shanks allow use with a wide variety of toolholding systems
When run in a counterclockwise direction (right-hand cut) spiral fluted tools evacuate chips up and out of the cut to reduce clogging
0.6875-inches thread length

User questions & answers

Question:	helicoil (for a dana 44 differential cover bolt hole) calls for a 4 flute, unc, h3 tap. will this do just fine
Answer:	They will certainly tap threads in wood, however the threads will be somewhat weak due to their size. These taps are designed for machine screws in metals. Consider using a threaded insert for wood instead. For large diameter legs, you could use a special wood tap and die, but simple wood glue is MUCH cheaper!
Question:	Will this work in wood? Need to install pre-formed furniture legs
Answer:	The shank measures 0.378” so a 3/8” split collet should work.

BQKKWIN 5 Pcs M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 Titanium Coated HSS Spiral Flute Metric Taps Set

BQKKWIN

Check latest price

Product description

High hardness, fast cutting, wear high temperature.
Spiral groove is conducive to remove crumbs, not easily broken tap.
Spiral Tap the crumbs into a spiral up chip evacuation, it is more suitable for the processing of blind holes and
sticky materials processing.

YG1 TG836SET8-1 | 3 Flute Spiral HSS-Ex TiCN Coated Combo Tap Set

YG-1 America Inc.

Based on 8 reviews Check latest price

Product description

YG1 3 FL Spiral Combo Tap Set HSS-Ex TiCN Coated - 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2 UNC/F

Our Part # YG1-TG836SET8-1
Combo 8 pc. tap set with TiCN coated taps - 1/4-20, 1/4-28, 5/16-18, 5/16-24, 3/8-16, 3/8-24, 1/2-13 & 1/2-20
Reduces tap breakage, ensures accurate thread depth. Eliminates loose threads due to tap overfeeding
Improves thread quality and chip evacuation. Allows tapping of many metals including stainless steel and steels Eliminates "bird nests" around tap shank

Hymnorq HSS 4341 Imperial 2-in-1 Combination Drill and Tap Bit Set Fractional 1/8 to 3/8 Inch with 1/4 Inch Hex Shank and Spiral Flute Tapping Tool Set Kit Hand Tool of 6pcs

Hymnorq

Based on 310 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Migiwata 6Pcs Imperial Drill Taps

These drill taps are a great time saving accessory.

Each one is a combination of a twist drill bit and a tap.

The point is the same as a twist drill bit, which is self-centering.

So you don’t have to buy a centering drill bit or a center punch.

Now you can drill and tap at the same time in one operation.

Just drill until the drill section fully enters the material, then the tapping will start to occur.

When it reach the right depth, reverse the drill to deburr and remove any swarf to complete the job.

No tool changes, good alignment and fast cycle times make this a very productive tool.

The Migiwata tap drill set also features wide spiral flute, which allow the chips to easily get out of the hole, preventing chip crowding and breakage of tap drill bits.

NOTICE:

It’s highly recommended that the combination drill and tap bits are used on a tapping machine.

If you apply an electric hand drilling machine to do the tapping job, please pay attention to your operating, because excessive shaking and tilting may affect the result and even break the bit.

Specification:

Material: HSS 4341

Shank: 1/4” (6.35mm) hex shank

Color: silver metal color

What you’ll get:

BSW 1/8” – 40 Tap Drill Bit x 1pc

BSW 5/32" - 32 Tap Drill Bit x 1pc

BSW 3/16” - 24 Tap Drill Bit x 1pc

BSW 1/4” - 20 Tap Drill Bit x 1pc

BSW 5/16” - 18 Tap Drill Bit x 1pc

BSW 3/8” -16 Tap Drill Bit x 1pc

Made of high quality 4341 HSS for durability; Suitable for drilling and tapping in plastic, wood and soft metal like aluminum, iron, etc.
Drills and taps in a single pass to save your labor and precious time; Point is self-centering and eliminates the need for center drilling or center punching
Wide flutes carry the chips out of the hole. Can be used on multi-spindle heads with reversing mechanisms for tapping in most materials
6 imperial sizes of drill and tap bit(1/8”, 5/32”, 3/16”, 1/4”, 5/16”, 3/8”) included in the set to meet your diversified requirements
Quick change 1/4" (6.35mm) hex shank with imperial sizes engraved on the tap drills.

User questions & answers

Question:	Is there 1/2"? its all mm? no SAE
Answer:	This set of tap drill bits are suitable for wood, plank, plastic and soft metal like aluminum plate and sheet iron. We also have TiAIN Finish HSS-Co M35 Drill and Tap Combination Bits for sale. They can penetrate stainless steel. M10 tap bit, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D6K27V7 M8 tap bit, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D6JNVQ1 M6 tap bit, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D6K75QW M5 tap bit, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D6HWXMC M4 tap bit, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D6JK5G4 M3 tap bit, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D6JTG57
Question:	Will it go through steal
Answer:	Thanks for your question. Take BSW 1/4-20 as an example. "BSW" means British Standard Whitworth screw thread series. "1/4" is the inch diameter of the bit. "20" means 20 threads per inch. Try to search the keyword "BSW size" on Google or Bing and you'll learn more. Actually, we don't quite understand your question. If the answer isn't what you need, please reply to us.
Question:	What’s the three count example 1/4 what 20 - 28 kinda important
Answer:	Thanks for your question. The max depth of drilling and tapping for this product is 4mm. 1/4" equals to 6.35mm. So it's too thick. This kind of combination drill & tap bits are only suitable for thin metal sheets, no matter what the brand is. In addition, it's suggested that you use M2 HSS bits or M35 cobalt bits to drill cast iron.
Question:	Will these drill & tap 1/4" thick cast iron
Answer:	I don’t see why it wouldn’t. This was the best tap I have ever used

YILE 7Pcs Spiral Flute Metric Taps M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12 HSS Nitriding Coated Metric Machine Screw Thread Tap Set for Metal Wood Plastic Tapping

YILE

Based on 6 reviews Check latest price

Product description

SPECIFICATION:

Name: Spiral flute metric taps set

Material: High quality high speed steel material

Product Size(Metric): M3*0.5; M4*0.7; M5*0.8; M6*1.0; M8*1.25; M10*1.5; M12*1.75

Features: Excellent chip removal performance and smooth tapping

It is very suitable for tapping aluminum, copper, iron, wood, plastic and other metals.

Package Included:

1* Spiral flute metric taps set(7pcs)

*High-speed steel and unique blade design, makes your operation more labor-saving.The surface of the product is treated with nitrogen, which does not rust, very durable.
*Spiral groove taps have a longer service life than ordinary straight groove taps and can be used repeatedly.
*With spiral groove taps, it is not necessary to repeatedly advance and retreat the taps and chips during tapping, which effectively improves the tapping efficiency; because the chips are unobstructed, the chips will not be blocked in the narrow flutes.
*Suitable for drilling, tapping and cutting on soft metals, aluminum sheets and iron. The spiral cuts the debris into a spiral chip, which is more suitable for the processing of blind holes and viscous materials.
*Package Included: 7 Pcs Spiral Flute Metric Taps( M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12).Meeting your different size needs in daily life.