TECHNICAL TIP #38; THREADING; PIPE TAPS, HOW DEEP TO THREAD?
A common question that we are often asked concerning pipe threads is: How do I know how deep to run a pipe tap into a drilled hole before it is stopped? In other words, how do I know when the pipe thread is either too small to accept the L-1 thread plug gage, or too large to be flush within ± 1 turn on the gage.

The answer is actually quite simple. Pipe threads are sized differently than standard straight thread. They are based on the basic size at the top of the threaded hole that has been produced by the pipe tap. The Basic size occurs approximately 12 threads for the front of the taper pipe tap. This is commonly called the 12-thread count. You can therefore run any standard projection pipe tap into the drilled hole approximately 12 threads from the front of the tap, and that should be approximately the Basic size for that pipe thread.

Thanks and a gift to Mark Henry for suggesting that topic!

If you suggest a topic for a future tip, and we use it, we will send you a souvenir from the Masters Golf Tournament. To submit a topic or be removed from the list, e-mail mailto:don.dejarnette@gfii.com
You can reach Kennametal-Greenfield Technical Support by phone at 1-888-GFI-TOOL, by fax at 1-888-GFI-FAXX or e-mail at mailto:tech.support@gfii.com