Kennametal 5455837 Spiral Point Tap 5-40 Unc Hss-e Oxide

Product Description

The KENNAMETAL 5455837 is a spiral point tap designed for through-hole threading operations in ferrous materials. It cuts a 5-40 UNC right-hand thread and is built from High-Speed Steel-E (HSS-E), grade KSP39, with an oxide coating for improved lubricity and surface protection. The plug chamfer (approximately 3-5 lead threads) allows progressive thread engagement, making it well suited for machine tapping in production environments. With an overall length of 1.9375 inches and a thread length of 0.580 inches, this tap fits standard toolholders and tapping heads used in light-duty CNC and manual drill press setups. Licensed HVAC techs, machinists, and maintenance professionals working in metal fabrication rely on this geometry for clean, consistent threads in through-hole applications.

This tap is intended for through-hole threading in steel, stainless steel, and cast iron. The spiral point (gun) geometry pushes chips forward through the hole, preventing chip packing in higher-volume production runs. It is appropriate for both 2B and 3B class-of-fit thread tolerances, with an H2 thread limit. The T820 series designation reflects the KENNAMETAL ground-thread standard for this tap style. Typical applications include threading tapped holes in sheet metal assemblies, machine components, and structural brackets where a 5-40 UNC fastener is specified.

Key Features

• Spiral point geometry pushes chips forward — suited for through-hole threading, not blind holes
• HSS-E construction (grade KSP39) provides improved toughness and heat resistance over standard HSS
• Oxide coating reduces friction and provides mild corrosion resistance during storage and use
• Plug chamfer provides gradual thread engagement for smoother machine tapping starts
• H2 thread limit and 2B/3B class of fit for standard commercial and close-tolerance fastener applications
• Right-hand thread direction, no coolant-through, non-interrupted thread profile

Compatibility

Designed for through-hole tapping of steel, stainless steel, and cast iron workpieces requiring a 5-40 UNC thread. Compatible with standard tapping chucks and floating tap holders sized for a 0.141 inch shank diameter. Not intended for blind-hole applications.

Installation Notes

Installation is performed by a machinist or maintenance technician using a drill press, CNC machining center, or tapping arm equipped with a floating tap holder. Always drill the correct tap drill size for 5-40 UNC before tapping and ensure the workpiece is securely fixtured. Use appropriate cutting fluid for the workpiece material — sulfurized or chlorinated oil is typical for steel and stainless steel. Do not reverse the tap under power without confirming the tapping head supports reversing, as this tap does not have a spiral flute for chip evacuation in blind holes.