03B096 - Walter 9/16-18 NF HSS Bottoming Tap for Blind Holes

Precision Threading with Walter High Speed Steel Taps

The Walter 03B096 9/16-18 NF Bottoming Tap is a premium-grade threading tool designed for professionals who demand accuracy and durability. Manufactured from top-quality High Speed Steel (HSS), this tap is engineered to withstand the high temperatures and stresses associated with cutting threads in tough industrial metals. Unlike standard carbon steel taps, HSS offers superior hardness and wear resistance, ensuring that the cutting edges remain sharp for longer periods, even when working with challenging materials like stainless steel and mild steel.

This specific model features a "Bottoming" chamfer, which is characterized by a very short lead of only 1 to 2 threads. This design is critical for threading "blind holes"—holes that do not go all the way through the workpiece. A bottoming tap allows you to cut threads almost to the very bottom of the hole, maximizing the thread engagement length and ensuring a secure fastener fit. It is typically used as the final step in a three-tap sequence (after Taper and Plug taps) or used alone in softer materials or shallow holes where thread depth is paramount.

Walter Surface Technologies is known for their meticulous attention to detail, and this tap is no exception. The threads are precision ground to exact National Fine (NF) specifications, guaranteeing that the resulting internal threads will mate perfectly with 9/16-18 bolts and screws. Whether you are repairing damaged threads in an engine block, fabricating new components in a machine shop, or performing general maintenance, this tool provides the reliability needed to get the job done right the first time. Its versatility extends to non-ferrous metals as well, making it an excellent choice for aluminum fabrication.

Investing in quality cutting tools like the Walter 03B096 reduces the risk of tap breakage—a common and costly issue in metalworking. The structural integrity of the HSS material absorbs the torque required for tapping without snapping easily, provided proper lubrication and technique are used. For best results, always use a suitable cutting fluid or tapping paste to reduce friction and clear chips from the flutes.