Balax 40042-010 Spiral Flute Tap 6-32 Unc 3 Flutes

Product Description

The BALAX 40042-010 is a spiral flute tap designed for blind hole threading in a wide range of materials. It carries a 6-32 UNC thread form, a modified bottoming chamfer, and a 3B class of fit, making it well-suited for tight-tolerance internal threads in production and maintenance environments. Built from M42 powdered metal with a bright/uncoated finish, this tap features a 45-degree helix angle and a fast flute style that efficiently pulls chips up and out of the hole during the tapping cycle. Machinists, toolroom technicians, and field maintenance professionals all work with this type of tap.

This tap is intended for blind hole applications across a broad material spectrum. The 45-degree spiral flute geometry is particularly effective in softer and gummy materials where chip evacuation is critical, but the M42 powdered metal construction also handles harder ferrous materials. Typical install scenarios include CNC machining centers, manual drill presses, and hand-tapping operations where consistent 6-32 UNC internal threads are required.

Key Features

• 6-32 UNC thread form with 32 threads per inch and right-hand thread direction
• Modified bottoming chamfer allows threading close to the bottom of a blind hole
• 45-degree helix angle with fast flute style for efficient upward chip evacuation
• M42 powdered metal construction for wear resistance across a range of workpiece materials
• 3B class of fit for standard tolerance internal thread applications
• H2 thread limit for controlled tap oversize

Compatibility

Designed for blind hole threading in aluminum, brass, bronze, carbon steel, copper, magnesium, stainless steel, wrought aluminum alloy, and zinc workpieces requiring a 6-32 UNC 3B internal thread.

Installation Notes

This tap is installed by a machinist or maintenance technician using a standard tap wrench, tapping head, or machine spindle sized for the shank diameter. Ensure the workpiece is securely fixtured and the pilot hole diameter matches the recommended drill size for 6-32 UNC before tapping. Apply appropriate cutting fluid for the workpiece material to extend tap life and improve thread finish. Never force a tap against the bottom of a blind hole without accounting for the chamfer length, as this can cause breakage.