Cleveland C55238 Hand Tap 9/16-18 Unf Bottoming Tin Hss

Product Description

The CLEVELAND C55238 is a 9/16-18 UNF bottoming hand tap designed for threading operations in machined components. Built from high speed steel (HSS) with a titanium nitride (TiN) coating, it delivers extended tool life and reduced friction during cutting. The bottoming chamfer — typically 1 to 2 threads — allows threading close to the bottom of a blind hole, making it well-suited for tight-tolerance applications. With 4 straight flutes and a right-hand thread direction, the C55238 cuts a Class 2B fit to an H3 thread limit. It is installed by machinists, tool-and-die makers, and maintenance technicians working in production or repair environments.

This tap is rated for use in alloy steel, carbon steel, aluminum, and free-machining stainless steel. It handles both blind hole threading and through-hole threading, covering a broad range of general machining and maintenance applications. The TiN coating adds surface hardness and lubricity, which is particularly useful when tapping tougher alloys or running higher cycle volumes. The Series 1003TN designation places it in a family of general-purpose hand taps appropriate for manual tapping operations and low-speed machine tapping.

Key Features

• Bottoming chamfer for threading to the bottom of blind holes
• TiN coating for increased tool life and reduced cutting friction
• High speed steel construction for durability across a range of workpiece materials
• 4-flute straight flute geometry produces a Class 2B thread fit to H3 limit
• Right-hand 9/16-18 UNF thread form
• Compatible with alloy steel, carbon steel, aluminum, and free-machining stainless steel

Compatibility

Designed for 9/16-18 UNF blind hole and through-hole threading applications in alloy steel, aluminum, carbon steel, and free-machining stainless steel workpieces.

Installation Notes

Hand taps should be installed in a proper tap wrench or T-handle for manual use; a tapping head or low-speed machine setup is appropriate for machine tapping. Always use a suitable cutting fluid matched to the workpiece material to improve finish quality and extend tool life. Back the tap off periodically to break chips when tapping blind holes. Inspect the tap for wear or chipping before each use — a damaged tap can seize or break in the workpiece.