Our dies, taps, and drills let you cut and repair threads on site. High Speed Steel taps cut internal threads in drilled holes, dies cut external threads on rod and bar, and matched tapping drills prepare the correct hole size. Available in metric coarse and fine pitch, individually or as complete threading sets.

Dies, Taps & Drills - Metric Sizes

What Are Taps, Dies and Drills?

Taps, dies, and drills are the threading tools that create and repair the threaded features fasteners rely on. A tap cuts an internal thread inside a drilled hole, allowing a bolt or screw to engage directly in the component. A die cuts an external thread onto a round bar or rod, producing a stud or threaded shaft. A drill bit prepares the hole to the precise size required before tapping  undersize and the tap jams, oversize and the thread is weak  so the correct tapping-drill diameter is critical to a strong thread.

At Metric Specialties we stock high-speed steel (HSS) taps in the three standard forms  taper for starting a thread, second (plug) for general use, and bottoming (plug) for threading close to the base of a blind hole  as well as split circular dies for cutting and adjusting external threads. Matched tapping drills ensure the correct minor diameter for each metric pitch. Available individually and as complete tap-and-die sets, these tools cover thread cutting, cleaning, and repair for coarse and fine metric threads across workshop and field work.

Key Features and Benefits

• Cut Internal Threads: HSS taps cut accurate internal threads in drilled holes for direct bolt engagement.
• Cut External Threads: Split dies form external threads on rod and bar, and can be adjusted for fit.
• Matched Tapping Drills: Correct-diameter drills prepare the ideal hole size for each metric pitch.
• Thread Repair: Taps and dies clean and chases damaged threads back to specification.
• Coarse and Fine Pitch: Tooling covers both metric coarse and fine threads for a full range of fasteners.

Materials and Finishes

• High-Speed Steel (HSS): Tough, heat-resistant material for durable taps and dies in steel and non-ferrous metals.
• HSS-Co (Cobalt): Higher heat and wear resistance for tapping harder alloys and stainless steel.
• HSS Drill Bits: Precision tapping drills sized to each metric pitch for correct thread depth.

Standards Compliance

• ISO 529 / DIN 352  Hand taps (taper, second, bottoming).
• ISO 261  ISO general-purpose metric screw threads.
• DIN 223 / EN 22568  Circular split dies.

Common Applications and Industries

Taps, dies, and tapping drills are core tools in machine shops, maintenance departments, fabrication, and field service. Machinists tap holes to accept bolts and studs in fabricated components, while maintenance engineers use taps and dies to clean and repair damaged threads on machinery, vehicles, and plants, restoring fasteners without replacing whole components.

In automotive and agricultural repair, thread-chasing taps and dies rescue corroded or cross-threaded fasteners, and in general manufacturing complete tap-and-die sets provide on-hand threading for a wide range of sizes. Correct tapping-drill selection underpins all of this work, ensuring each new thread is formed to the right depth for full strength.

How to Choose the Right Tap, Die or Drill

Start with the thread size and pitch you need to cut or repair, then select the matching tap for internal threads or die for external threads. For blind holes, use a taper tap to start and a bottoming tap to thread close to the base; for through holes a second (plug) tap is usually sufficient. Always pair the tap with the correct tapping drill for that pitch to form a strong thread.

Choose the tool material for the workpiece: HSS suits most steels and non-ferrous metals, while HSS-Co (cobalt) handles harder alloys and stainless steel with greater heat and wear resistance. Use a suitable cutting fluid for the material, and consider a complete tap-and-die set where a range of sizes will be needed for maintenance and repair.

Size Range and Availability

Available for M2 through M24 in metric coarse and fine pitch, as individual taps, dies, and tapping drills or complete threading sets.

Why Buy From Metric Specialties

As dedicated metric fastener specialists, we hold dies, taps & drills in the sizes, grades, and finishes that engineers actually need, backed by clear DIN and ISO standard references so you can specify with confidence. Every item is sourced to recognised standards and quality-controlled, giving you consistent thread fit, strength, and corrosion performance across repeat orders.

Whether you need a single item for a repair or bulk quantities for production, our range, technical guidance, and fast dispatch help you find the exact fastener for the job. If you are unsure which size, grade, or finish suits your application, our team can help you match the right product to your load, environment, and standard, so your assemblies are reliable and built to last.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a tap used for?

A tap cuts an internal thread inside a drilled hole so that a bolt or screw can engage directly in the component. Taps are also used to clean and repair existing internal threads.

2. What is the difference between a tap and a die?

A tap cuts internal threads inside a hole, while a die cuts external threads onto a round bar or rod. Together they let you create both halves of a threaded joint.

3. What are taper, second and bottoming taps?

A taper tap has a long lead for easy starting, a second (plug) tap is the general-purpose tap for most work, and a bottoming tap has minimal lead to thread close to the base of a blind hole.

4. What size drill do I need before tapping?

The tapping drill must produce the correct minor diameter for the thread pitch  for example, an M6 x 1.0 thread uses a 5.0mm drill. Using the matched tapping drill ensures a strong, correctly formed thread.

5. Can taps and dies repair damaged threads?

Yes. Running a tap through a damaged internal thread or a die over a damaged external thread cleans and chases the thread back to specification, restoring proper fastener engagement.

6. What is the difference between HSS and cobalt taps?

HSS taps suit most steels and non-ferrous metals, while HSS-Co (cobalt) taps offer greater heat and wear resistance for tapping harder alloys and stainless steel.

7. Do you stock fine-pitch taps and dies?

Yes. We stock both metric coarse and metric fine pitch taps and dies, so you can cut and repair the exact thread specified for your fasteners.

8. How do I use a die to cut an external thread?

Chamfer the end of the rod, secure it, then start the die square to the bar and turn it on, backing off periodically to clear chips and using cutting fluid. Split dies can be adjusted for a tighter or looser fit.

9. What cutting fluid should I use when tapping?

Use a suitable cutting or tapping fluid for the material, general cutting oil for steel, and specific compounds for stainless or aluminium  to reduce heat, improve finish, and extend tool life.

10. What sizes do you stock for taps, dies and drills?

We stock M2 through M24 in coarse and fine pitch, as individual HSS taps, dies, and matched tapping drills, and as complete threading sets.