Find the perfect Bottom Taps, Taper Taps, and Plug Taps to complete your internal threading projects with industrial-grade precision. This comprehensive selection includes taper taps for easy starts in through-holes, plug taps for general-purpose threading, and bottoming taps designed to cut threads to the very base of blind holes. Each tool is engineered from high-speed steel (HSS) to ensure durability across various metals and alloys. Shop our full inventory of metric and imperial sizes to find the exact pitch and diameter required for your next mechanical assembly.

Bottom Taps, Taper Taps, and Plug Taps

Bottom taps, taper taps, and plug taps are the tools that turn a simple drilled hole into a precise, load-bearing internal thread you can trust. Our tap selection is built for clean starts, smooth cutting, and consistent results, so your assemblies go together the way they should. When thread quality matters and rework is not an option, these are the go-to taps that keep your workflow moving.

TAPS

Accurate Internal Threads Start With the Right Tap

Taps are used to cut internal threads inside a drilled hole, creating the matching thread for a machine screw, bolt, or stud. The difference between taper, plug, and bottoming taps comes down to how the first threads are shaped and how deep they can cut, which affects how easily the tap starts, how smoothly it tracks, and how close it can thread to the bottom of a blind hole. 

Choosing the right tap is not just about convenience; it changes the outcome of the thread. A taper tap reduces the chance of cross-threading and helps keep the tap tracking straight from the start, which protects thread geometry and reduces the risk of a snapped tool. 

A plug tap speeds up production for common through-hole work and still maintains good control with proper alignment. A bottom tap finishes the job in blind holes by extending usable threads, which improves engagement and holding power when the design calls for it.

To keep your tapping process accurate and efficient from start to finish, it also helps to pair our taps with Jobber Drills for the right pilot hole size and Powercoil Insert Kits when you need stronger, repairable threads.

Understanding Each Tap Type

Taper Taps

A taper tap is designed to start threading with the least amount of stress and the most control. It has a longer lead-in, which means the cutting load ramps up gradually as the tap enters the hole. That makes taper taps a smart choice when alignment matters, when you want the smoothest start possible, or when you are cutting threads by hand and want the tap to guide itself straight without fighting you.

Plug Taps

A plug tap is the everyday workhorse for general threading, especially in through holes. It has a shorter lead-in than a taper tap, so it engages faster and cuts full threads sooner, while still being easy to start with good technique. If you do a lot of standard tapping work and want a balance between easy starting and efficient cutting, plug taps are often the first reach.

Bottom Taps

A bottom tap, commonly called a bottoming tap, is built for threading close to the bottom of blind holes. It has the shortest lead-in, allowing it to cut full threads much deeper into the hole than a taper or plug tap can. This is the tool you want when thread engagement depth is critical and you cannot afford to leave unthreaded space at the bottom, such as in shallow blind holes or compact parts where every thread counts.

Blind Holes vs. Through Holes: Where Each Tap Shines

Through holes are generally the most forgiving because the tap has a clear exit path and chips have somewhere to go. That is why plug taps are such a common choice for them, with taper taps being ideal when you want the easiest start and the cleanest alignment. 

Blind holes demand more attention because depth matters and you need full threads close to the bottom without damaging the part. In those cases, a taper or plug tap often starts the thread more easily, then a bottom tap completes it to maximize thread engagement where it counts.

FAQs

What is the difference between bottom taps, taper taps, and plug taps?

The difference is the lead-in and how quickly the tap reaches full thread depth. Taper taps start gradually with the longest lead-in for easier alignment, plug taps have a medium lead-in for general purpose threading, and bottom taps have the shortest lead-in to cut threads close to the bottom of blind holes.

When should you use a taper tap instead of a plug or bottom tap?

Use a taper tap when you want the easiest start and the best guidance into the hole, especially for hand tapping, harder-to-align setups, or situations where straight tracking matters most. The gradual engagement reduces the chance of cross-threading and helps produce cleaner threads from the first turn.

Can bottom taps, taper taps, and plug taps be used on the same threaded hole?

Yes, and that is often the best method for blind holes. A taper or plug tap is commonly used to start the threads smoothly and establish alignment, then a bottom tap is used to extend the threads deeper and finish closer to the bottom. This approach improves control while maximizing usable thread depth.

How do you choose the right tap type for blind holes versus through holes?

For through holes, a plug tap is usually the most efficient all around choice, with a taper tap being ideal when you want the easiest start. For blind holes, it is common to start with a taper or plug tap for clean alignment and then finish with a bottom tap when you need full threads as deep as possible. The best choice depends on how much thread depth you need and how tight your clearance is at the bottom of the hole.