Cleveland C54502 Hand Tap 5/16-18 Unc Plug Hss

Product Description

The CLEVELAND C54502 is a 5/16-18 UNC plug chamfer hand tap ground from high speed steel with a bright uncoated finish. It is designed for cutting right-hand internal threads in both blind holes and through-holes. The 4-flute straight-flute geometry provides chip clearance and thread accuracy in a wide range of workpiece materials. With an overall length of 2.719 inches and a thread length of 0.69 inches, this tap fits standard tap handles and is sized for production and maintenance threading operations. Machinists, tool-and-die makers, and maintenance technicians use this tap for hand-tapping and machine-tapping applications where a plug-start chamfer is appropriate.

This tap is suited for threading operations in alloy steel, carbon steel, aluminum, and free-machining stainless steel. The H2 thread limit designation indicates a tight ground tolerance that produces Class 2B fit threads, making it appropriate for standard fastener assemblies in general manufacturing, maintenance repair, and fabrication environments. The plug chamfer — typically 3 to 5 threads — provides a moderate starting lead suitable for both through-hole and blind-hole work where full thread depth near the bottom is not required.

Key Features

• 5/16-18 UNC thread form, right-hand, Class 2B fit
• H2 thread limit for close ground tolerances on standard thread assemblies
• 4-flute straight-flute design for chip clearance in blind and through-hole applications
• High speed steel construction for durability across a range of workpiece materials
• Bright uncoated finish — no added coating thickness to affect thread tolerance
• 0.318-inch shank diameter with 0.375-inch square drive for standard tap handles and holders

Compatibility

Designed for use in blind-hole and through-hole threading applications in alloy steel, carbon steel, aluminum, and free-machining stainless steel. Fits standard tap wrenches and holders accepting a 0.375-inch square drive.

Installation Notes

This tap is installed by machinists or maintenance technicians using a tap wrench or tapping head — power down any machine and secure the workpiece before hand-tapping. Apply appropriate cutting fluid for the workpiece material to extend tap life and improve thread finish. Back the tap off periodically to break chips when tapping blind holes. Do not force the tap past the designed thread depth, as breakage in blind holes is difficult to recover from.