Balax 40127-010 Spiral Flute Tap 3/8-16 Unc H7 BX200

Product Description

The BALAX 40127-010 is a spiral flute tap designed for blind hole threading in a wide range of materials. It cuts a 3/8-16 UNC right-hand thread and is manufactured from M42 powdered metal with a bright/uncoated finish. The 45-degree helix angle and fast flute style eject chips up and out of the hole, making this tap well suited for interrupted cuts and deep blind applications where chip packing is a concern. The modified bottoming chamfer allows threading closer to the bottom of a blind hole than a standard plug tap. H7 thread limit designates an oversize tolerance appropriate for use with standard taps where slight thread expansion is expected. Licensed machinists, toolroom technicians, and maintenance mechanics are the primary users.

This tap is rated for blind hole threading across a broad material range including aluminum, brass, bronze, carbon steel, copper, magnesium, stainless steel, wrought aluminum alloy, and zinc. It is part of the BALAX BX200 series, which is built around powdered metal construction for added toughness and wear resistance compared to standard HSS taps. Typical applications include production threading in CNC machining centers and manual drill press or tapping head setups where consistent thread quality in mixed-material environments is required.

Key Features

• 45-degree helix angle with fast flute style for efficient chip ejection in blind holes
• Modified bottoming chamfer for threading close to the bottom of a blind hole
• M42 powdered metal construction for improved toughness and tool life over standard HSS
• H7 oversize thread limit for consistent fit with standard threading tolerances
• Right-hand thread direction, 3 flutes, no coolant-through requirement
• Bright/uncoated finish - compatible with most cutting oils and water-soluble coolants

Compatibility

Designed for blind hole threading in aluminum, brass, bronze, carbon steel, copper, magnesium, stainless steel, wrought aluminum alloy, and zinc. Part of the BALAX BX200 series.

Installation Notes

This tap should be installed by a qualified machinist or toolroom technician familiar with tapping speeds, feed rates, and cutting fluid selection for the target material. Always secure the workpiece firmly and ensure the tap is aligned perpendicular to the hole before engagement. Use appropriate cutting oil or coolant for the material being threaded. Inspect the tap for wear or chipping before each use and replace if thread quality degrades.