Acme Taps

[Brian Albin]

I have always thought of Acme threads as being lathe cut, but I see here http://www.tapcousa.com/?gclid=CK_gztW03pcCFQkiagodD3YlCg
that taps are made for cutting Acme threads. Have any of you cut Acme threads with a tap? How well did it work?

 

[Unclenick]

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]

Thanks.
I always like learning new things.

 

[Unclenick]

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]

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.