Acme Taps

Brian Albin · December 26, 2008, 10:10 AM

I have always thought of Acme threads as being lathe cut, but I see here http://www.tapcousa.com/?gclid=CK_gz...FQkiagodD3YlCg
that taps are made for cutting Acme threads. Have any of you cut Acme threads with a tap? How well did it work?

**Unclenick** · December 26, 2008, 11:18 PM

About like any tap, except they are removing more material out at the major diameter, so the taper onto the cutting threads has to be gradual. Strictly for through-hole tapping, for that reason, unless you don't mind a blind hole with unusable extra depth.

Brian Albin · December 27, 2008, 01:52 PM

Thanks.
I always like learning new things.

**Unclenick** · December 27, 2008, 07:04 PM

I suppose I should add that they could be made with less taper in steps to create a bottoming tap, but I've never seen them. That doesn't mean someone doesn't do it, but I expect it would take additional steps and I'm not sure what need there would be for such a thing?

Brian Albin · December 28, 2008, 02:37 PM

No. I think of Acme threads on the lead screw of a lathe, or the receiver mating of a rifle barrel. No blind hole usage comes to mind.

December 26, 2008, 10:10 AM	#1
Brian Albin Junior Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Posts: 3	Acme Taps I have always thought of Acme threads as being lathe cut, but I see here http://www.tapcousa.com/?gclid=CK_gz...FQkiagodD3YlCg that taps are made for cutting Acme threads. Have any of you cut Acme threads with a tap? How well did it work?

December 26, 2008, 11:18 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 9,153	About like any tap, except they are removing more material out at the major diameter, so the taper onto the cutting threads has to be gradual. Strictly for through-hole tapping, for that reason, unless you don't mind a blind hole with unusable extra depth. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Patron Member

December 27, 2008, 07:04 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 9,153	I suppose I should add that they could be made with less taper in steps to create a bottoming tap, but I've never seen them. That doesn't mean someone doesn't do it, but I expect it would take additional steps and I'm not sure what need there would be for such a thing? __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Patron Member

December 27, 2008, 01:52 PM	#3
Brian Albin Junior Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Posts: 3	Thanks. I always like learning new things.

December 28, 2008, 02:37 PM	#5
Brian Albin Junior Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Posts: 3	No. I think of Acme threads on the lead screw of a lathe, or the receiver mating of a rifle barrel. No blind hole usage comes to mind.