Cleveland C54586 Hand Tap 3/8-16 Bottoming Hss Unc

Product Description

The CLEVELAND C54586 is a 3/8-16 bottoming hand tap designed for cutting internal threads in blind holes and through-holes. Made from high speed steel (HSS) with a bright, uncoated finish, this tap features a 3-flute straight flute geometry and a right-hand thread direction. It carries a Class 3B fit with an H3 thread limit, making it suited for close-tolerance threading work. Overall length is 2.938 inches, with a thread length of 0.75 inches. The straight flute design handles a range of workpiece materials and is compatible with standard tap wrench drives. Licensed machinists, tool-and-die makers, and maintenance technicians are the typical installers.

This tap is built for UNC (Unified National Coarse) threading applications at 3/8-16. The bottoming chamfer style allows threading closer to the bottom of a blind hole compared to taper or plug chamfer taps. It is appropriate for production and maintenance machining environments where tight thread tolerances are required. Compatible material applications include alloy steel, aluminum, carbon steel, and free-machining stainless steel, making it a versatile choice for general metalworking and repair work.

Key Features

• Bottoming chamfer for threading close to the bottom of blind holes
• High speed steel construction for durability across a range of workpiece materials
• 3-flute straight flute geometry suited for blind hole and through-hole threading
• Class 3B fit with H3 thread limit for close-tolerance internal threads
• Bright, uncoated finish for easy visual inspection during use
• Right-hand thread direction, UNC standard

Compatibility

Designed for blind hole and through-hole threading in alloy steel, aluminum, carbon steel, and free-machining stainless steel workpieces. Fits standard tap wrenches and tapping attachments sized for 3/8-inch shank tooling.

Installation Notes

Installation is performed by machinists or maintenance technicians using a standard tap wrench or machine tapping attachment. The workpiece should be securely fixtured and the tap aligned perpendicular to the hole before starting. Apply appropriate cutting fluid for the workpiece material to extend tool life and improve thread finish. For blind holes, use a bottoming tap only after a taper or plug tap has established the thread, unless starting directly from a drilled hole at sufficient depth.