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Product Description

HSS Hand Taps – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Cuts + Full Sets Available
 
Same-Day Dispatch from our factory in Wigan on all orders placed before 3PM (weekdays)

Full VAT Invoice Supplied with every purchase

 
 
Cut Clean Internal Threads – Whether You’re Repairing or Building New
 
Ground High-Speed Steel (HSS) – Built for clean, long-lasting performance
Metric Sizes from M3 to M24 – Covers everyday and specialist applications
1st, 2nd & 3rd Cut Available – Buy individually or as a 3-piece set
Straight Flute Design – Perfect for hand tapping with a vice or T-handle
Trusted by Engineers, Fabricators, Mechanics & DIYers

 

Available to purchase individually (1st, 2nd or 3rd cut) or as a 3-piece set containing all three — with sets offering better value and a postage saving

🔍 What’s the Difference Between 1st, 2nd & 3rd Cut Taps?

Cut

Name

Purpose

1st Cut

Taper

Starts the thread with a gentle lead; easier to align by hand

2nd Cut

Intermediate

Deepens and sharpens the thread after the taper

3rd Cut

Plug or Bottom

Finishes the thread to full depth; best for blind holes

💡 New to tapping? You must first drill a pilot hole using the correct size drill bit (called a "tapping drill") before using a tap


 📏 Tapping Drill Size Guide (Metric)

Use this table to find the correct drill bit to pair with each tap size:

Thread Size

Tapping Drill Bit Required

M3 x 0.5

2.5mm

M3.5 x 0.6

2.9mm

M4 x 0.7

3.3mm

M5 x 0.8

4.2mm

M6 x 1.0

5.0mm

M7 x 1.0

6.0mm

M8 x 1.25

6.8mm

M10 x 1.5

8.5mm

M12 x 1.75

10.2mm

M14 x 2.0

12.0mm

M16 x 2.0

14.0mm

M18 x 2.5

15.5mm

M20 x 2.5

17.5mm

M22 x 2.5

19.5mm

M24 x 3.0

21.0mm

⚠️ If you use the wrong drill bit before tapping, you risk poor thread quality or even snapping the tap.

🧰 Recommended Accessories (Sold Separately)

Complete your threading setup with the right tools — all available from UK Drills:


🔩
Drill Bits (Pilot Hole Drilling)

~

🔧 Tap Wrenches (For Holding Taps)

~

⚙️ Thread Cutting Dies (For External Threads)

~
🛠
Die Stocks (Die Holders)

  • Die Stocks
    Securely hold your dies for safe and accurate external threading.

What our customers say!

Excellent service and communication with very fast delivery. Item appears to be of very good quality

j***n (626)

Drill bit as described. Well packaged and excellent delivery time. Good value for money.

m***h (190)

Great seller! Item arrived quickly and exactly as described. Well-packaged and excellent communication.

e***e (207)

High quality product and a very fair price, well packed and despatched promptly thank you.

c***i (240)

UKDRILLS is a UK based drill bit specialist. We only supply high quality drill bits and are sure we provide the best prices for the quality we offer. We guarantee 100% satisfaction. Try us today! Established in 1985, we have over 40 years experience supplying to professionals throughout the UK!

We ship all items the same working day up until 3pm. We offer a range of shipping methods to suit your requirements. As a standard we offer FREE delivery across our whole range of products with express shipping options available at an extra charge.

We have a 30 day returns policy. If you are unsatisfied with the performance of your product, please get in touch and we will resolve any issue.

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If you need to contact us, please do so through eBay. We are open Monday to Thursday 8am-5pm and on Friday 8am-4pm. Unfortunately we do not respond to messages outside of business hours.