Why do small taps have a pointed end?

Why do small taps have a pointed end?

This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 10 November 2011 at 21:41 by Stewart Hart.

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10 November 2011 at 20:56 #77628
Glyn Davies
Participant
@glyndavies49417
Hi there. Does anyone know why small taps have a pointed end? Is it just to centre the tap during its manufacture and is there any reason not to grind the point off to allow the tap to cut a little deeper when tapping blind holes?

Thanks
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10 November 2011 at 20:56 #5742
Glyn Davies
Participant
@glyndavies49417
10 November 2011 at 21:04 #77630
Peter G. Shaw
Participant
@peterg-shaw75338
I have done this on an occasional plug tap.

As I understand it, the pointy bit allows for re-sharpening, so if it is removed, then resharpening can’t be done, however my limited experience is that I break more taps than I wear out so it does not matter.

I am not an engineer, so my understanding may be complete rubbish!

Regards,

Peter G. Shaw
10 November 2011 at 21:12 #77633
Sub Mandrel
Participant
@submandrel
Yes its for sharpening. Larger taps have a centre in them for the same purpose. I grind it off, at least from the plug (bottoming) tap.

Neil
10 November 2011 at 21:41 #77637
Stewart Hart
Participant
@stewarthart90345
Its a male centre for grinding, if they used a female centre on a small tap, the little hole would weaken the end of the tap. In the tool room I served my apprenticeship in it was standard practice to use male centers for grinding small tools and gauges, it meant that you had to run in between female centers, a full one at the head stop end of the grinder and a 1/2 centre at the tailstock end.

Stew
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