A tap and die is a set of tools that people use to cut threads on a blank stock, as well as in holes. These accommodate both screws and bolts. Taps and die sets usually have matching taps and dies and these come in all the well-known screw sizes. They also come with wrenches, so that they are able to hold and turn the tap and die.

The tap itself is a metal rod. It resembles a drill bit with a sharpened edge in the rod. This then forms the female threads found below the surface. The die, however, is a round metallic piece that has a hole in the center. The sides of this hole come with a sharpened edge. This forms the male threads on a blank rod or screw. Depending on the taps and die sets, the threads are then cut into different materials. These materials include plastic, metal and wood.

In order to make female threads that are able to accept a screw, a pilot hole that has a shallow recess is then drilled into the surface. Very often, they tap hard materials and have a hole that is slightly smaller than the tap itself. This is then drilled to the depth of the screw itself. The tap is then positioned within the holding wrench that comes with taps and die sets. The tip then gets placed against the hole.

An operative turns the tap and the sharpened edge then bores into the hole itself. This then forms the threads. Naturally, this is all done with the national pipe thread specifications. Large holes, small taps are then used to make the first hole and large taps then make the hole bigger and bigger. Male threads on blank screws come with die threads. Once you do all of this, you can then screw the threaded piece into the threaded hole.

Within the commercial and industrial industry, they make these sets with power tools. These taps and die sets work exactly like hand-operated sets. They must follow the national pipe thread specifications to place a tap within a drill press or power drill. They then place the sets into a spinning tool like a lathe. There are highly complex machines that can use them too, as well as hand-held machines such as a tapping guide.

None of these tools, however, will work without the proper lubrication and oiling. So, the key is to not just understand about they make how taps and dies or what they you can use them for, but mainly how to use them appropriately, which can take training.