Sutton M2030300 M3 x 0.5 Metric Coarse Set of 3 Hand Taps - Straight Flute, TCA

The Sutton M203 is a metric coarse hand tap set of 3, sizes M3 to M24, with one taper, one intermediate and one bottoming tap in each set. The taps are straight flute with a square shank and are made from Tungsten Chrome Alloy (TCA).

The square shank is designed for hard threading work in a variety of materials. Carbon taps are not suitable for precision, safety or critical threads. They are for general purpose and DIY use only. The straight flutes are designed for tapping into materials where chips break up readily and present no disposal problems, particularly in through-hole tapping. Straight flute taps are only suitable for hand operations, tapping up to 1-1/2 x diameter. Each set comprises 1 each of taper, intermediate and bottoming tap.

Where this product is used

• Routine maintenance, repair work and re-threading where high accuracy and tolerance thread is not critical.
• Tapping through holes in materials where chips break up readily.
• Applications include DIY, trade, automotive, plumbing, metalworking and MRO work.

Design features

• Tungsten Chrome Alloy (TCA): carbon taps for general purpose use.
• Square shank: for hard threading work in a variety of materials.
• Straight flutes: suited to through-hole tapping.
• Set of 3: the taper tap is used when the material is difficult to work (alloy steel) and is recommended for small diameter threads; the intermediate tap assists in aligning and starting the tap into an untapped hole; the bottoming tap offers a continuous cutting edge with almost no taper and is usually used to cut threads to the bottom of a blind hole.

Sizes and item numbers

Tap drill is the drill size to use before tapping.

Using the tap

• Drill the tap drill size shown in the size table for the thread you are cutting, then start the tap square to the hole.
• Work through the set in order: taper tap first, then the intermediate, then the bottoming tap to cut the thread to the bottom of a blind hole.
• Turn the tap with a tap wrench on the square shank, backing off regularly to break the chip.
• Use a cutting fluid suited to the material being tapped.
• Use for hand tapping only, to a depth of up to 1-1/2 x the tap diameter.

Key specifications

Related products

Related Sutton taps: M100 taper taps, carded, M200 taper taps, M201 intermediate taps, M202 bottoming taps and M204 metric fine taper taps. Browse threading tools and threading dies and sets, or Tap Magic cutting fluids.