Cleveland C55224 Hand Tap 3/8-16 Unc Bottoming Tin Hss

Product Description

The CLEVELAND C55224 is a 3/8-16 UNC bottoming hand tap designed for cutting internal threads in both blind and through holes. Manufactured from high speed steel with a titanium nitride (TiN) coating, it delivers extended tool life and reduced friction during threading operations. The 4-flute straight flute geometry provides clean chip evacuation and consistent thread form. With a 3B class of fit and H3 thread limit, this tap produces threads to tight tolerances suitable for precision fastener applications in production and maintenance machining environments. Licensed machinists, tool-and-die makers, and maintenance technicians are the primary installers.

The C55224 is suited for threading blind holes and through holes in alloy steel, carbon steel, aluminum, and free-machining stainless steel. The bottoming chamfer allows threading close to the bottom of a blind hole, making it the right choice when thread runout must be minimized. It is commonly used in job shop, toolroom, and field maintenance settings where hand tapping is performed with a tap wrench or machine assist at low RPM.

Key Features

• Bottoming chamfer for threading to the bottom of blind holes
• TiN coating reduces friction and extends tool life compared to uncoated HSS taps
• 4-flute straight flute design for consistent chip evacuation
• 3B class of fit with H3 thread limit for tight-tolerance thread production
• Right-hand thread direction, 3/8-16 UNC thread form
• Compatible with alloy steel, carbon steel, aluminum, and free-machining stainless steel

Compatibility

Designed for blind hole and through-hole threading applications in alloy steel, aluminum, carbon steel, and free-machining stainless steel workpieces requiring 3/8-16 UNC internal threads.

Installation Notes

Hand tapping should be performed by a machinist or qualified technician using an appropriate tap wrench sized for the square drive. Secure the workpiece firmly before threading and apply cutting fluid suited to the workpiece material to reduce heat and tap wear. Back the tap off periodically to break chips, especially in deeper blind holes. Inspect the tap for wear or chipping before each use to avoid broken tap extraction.