Why do small taps have a pointed end?

[Glyn DaviesParticipant @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

[Glyn DaviesParticipant @glyndavies49417]

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @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

[Sub MandrelParticipant @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

[Stewart HartParticipant @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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