03B063 - Walter 3/8-16 NC HSS Bottoming Tap for Blind Holes

Precision Threading for Blind Holes

The Walter 03B063 3/8"-16 NC Bottoming HSS Tap is a premium-grade cutting tool designed for industrial environments where precision and durability are paramount. Manufactured from top-quality High Speed Steel (HSS), this tap is engineered to withstand the high thermal stresses and abrasive forces encountered when threading tough materials like stainless steel, mild steel, and aluminum. Unlike standard carbon steel taps, Walter's HSS composition ensures the cutting edges remain sharp for significantly longer, reducing tooling costs and downtime associated with frequent replacements.

Optimized Geometry for Depth

This specific model is a bottoming tap, characterized by a very short chamfer length of only 1 to 2 threads. This geometry is critical for "blind holes"—holes that do not go all the way through the workpiece. Standard taper or plug taps leave a significant portion of the hole unthreaded at the bottom due to their longer chamfers. The Walter 03B063 allows the machinist or fabricator to cut full threads almost to the very bottom of the hole, maximizing the engagement length for bolts and studs. This is essential for high-stress assemblies where every millimeter of thread engagement contributes to the joint's mechanical strength.

Superior Manufacturing Standards

Walter Surface Technologies is renowned for its commitment to quality. The threads on this tap are precision ground, not merely rolled or cut. Ground threads offer superior accuracy, ensuring that the resulting internal threads meet strict tolerance classes. This results in a smoother fit for fasteners and reduces the likelihood of seizing or cross-threading. The tool is meticulously hardened and tempered to strike the perfect balance between hardness (for cutting ability) and toughness (to resist snapping under torque). whether used in a hand tap wrench or a machine setup, this tap delivers consistent, clean results.

Application Versatility

While optimized for blind holes, this tap is versatile enough for a wide range of maintenance and fabrication tasks. It effectively cuts new threads or chases (cleans) damaged threads in existing equipment. Its robust design handles a variety of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, making it a staple in any machine shop, maintenance department, or tool and die facility.