Cleveland C55320 Spiral Point Tap 5/16-18 Unc Hss Ticn

Product Description

The CLEVELAND C55320 is a spiral point tap designed for through-hole threading in ferrous and non-ferrous metals. It cuts a 5/16-18 UNC thread profile using a 2-flute, plug chamfer geometry that pushes chips ahead of the tap and out of the hole, keeping the flutes clear during the cut. The tap is manufactured from high speed steel (HSS) and finished with a titanium carbonitride (TiCN) coating that increases surface hardness and reduces friction, extending tool life in production environments. Overall length is 2.719 inches with a thread length of 0.69 inches. Licensed HVAC, plumbing, and industrial maintenance professionals regularly use taps of this type for machine threading operations on metal assemblies and equipment enclosures.

This tap is suited for through-hole threading applications in alloy steel, carbon steel, and aluminum workpieces. The plug chamfer distributes the cutting load over several leading threads, making it appropriate for machine tapping in CNC machining centers, drill presses, and tapping heads. The right-hand thread direction and Class 3B fit tolerance make it a practical choice for standard fastener assemblies requiring a controlled, close-fit thread. The H3 thread limit ensures consistent thread size at the high end of the tolerance range, which is common in production tapping where tool wear is a factor.

Key Features

• 5/16-18 UNC thread form with Class 3B fit and H3 thread limit for controlled tolerance output
• Spiral point geometry pushes chips forward through the hole, reducing clogging in through-hole applications
• TiCN coating increases surface hardness and lubricity for longer tool life versus uncoated HSS
• 2-flute plug chamfer design distributes cutting load across multiple leading threads
• Right-hand thread direction compatible with standard machine tapping setups
• Compatible with alloy steel, carbon steel, and aluminum workpiece materials

Compatibility

Designed for through-hole threading in alloy steel, aluminum, and carbon steel. Part of the Cleveland Series 1011TN spiral point tap family.

Installation Notes

This tap is intended for use by machinists and maintenance professionals operating drill presses, CNC machining centers, or hand tapping equipment. Always ensure the workpiece is securely fixtured and the spindle is properly aligned before tapping to avoid tap breakage. Use an appropriate cutting fluid or tapping compound for the workpiece material to protect the coating and extend tool life. Inspect the tap for wear or chipping before each use and replace if thread quality degrades.