Balax 30003-000 Spiral Point Tap 2-56 Unc Plug Hss

Product Description

The BALAX 30003-000 is a spiral point plug tap designed for cutting 2-56 UNC right-hand threads in a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Built from M42 powdered metal high-speed steel, it offers enhanced wear resistance and heat tolerance compared to standard HSS. The plug chamfer provides a gradual thread lead-in, making it well-suited for through-hole tapping applications. With 2 flutes and a bright uncoated finish, the 30003-000 is a reliable production-grade tap used by machinists and maintenance technicians working with small-diameter fastener threads.

This tap is designed for through-hole applications where chips can be pushed forward ahead of the cutting flutes. The 2-56 UNC thread size is commonly found in small instrument assemblies, electronics enclosures, and precision mechanical components. It is appropriate for use in materials including aluminum, brass, bronze, carbon steel, copper, magnesium, stainless steel, wrought aluminum alloy, and zinc. The BX100 series is BALAX's standard production line for powdered metal spiral point taps.

Key Features

• M42 powdered metal HSS construction for improved wear resistance over standard HSS
• 2-56 UNC thread size with plug chamfer for smooth lead-in in through-hole tapping
• Right-hand thread direction, H3 thread limit for consistent fit
• 2 flutes push chips forward, reducing re-cutting in through-hole applications
• Bright uncoated finish compatible with a broad range of cutting fluids and materials
• No coolant-through design; suitable for standard bench and CNC tapping operations

Compatibility

Designed for through-hole tapping of 2-56 UNC threads in aluminum, brass, bronze, carbon steel, copper, magnesium, stainless steel, wrought aluminum alloy, and zinc workpieces.

Installation Notes

Installation should be performed by a qualified machinist using a tap wrench, tapping head, or CNC rigid tapping setup sized for small-diameter taps. Always apply appropriate cutting fluid for the workpiece material before tapping. Ensure the workpiece is securely fixtured and the tap is aligned perpendicular to the hole to prevent tap breakage at this small diameter. Do not exceed the recommended feed rate for 2-56 tooling, as small-diameter taps are susceptible to breakage under lateral load.