Regal Cutting Tools 018695RS 5/16-18 Unc Solid Carbide Hand Tap

Product Description

The REGAL CUTTING TOOLS 018695RS is a solid carbide, 4-flute straight flute hand tap designed for cutting 5/16-18 UNC internal threads in tough or abrasive materials. Built from micrograin carbide with a bright, uncoated finish, it delivers excellent wear resistance and edge retention where high-speed steel tooling falls short. The plug chamfer provides a balance between starting ease and thread production efficiency, making it a practical choice for through-hole and blind-hole applications where a chamfered lead-in is acceptable. Machinists and tool-and-die professionals rely on this tap for precision threading in production and maintenance environments.

This tap is suited for threading ferrous and non-ferrous materials that demand carbide hardness and rigidity, including hardened steels, cast iron, graphite composites, and abrasive plastics. The straight flute geometry makes it appropriate for short-chipping materials. With a 3B class of fit and H3 thread limit, it produces threads within standard tolerance ranges for general mechanical assembly. It is intended for hand tapping operations where consistent thread quality and tool life are priorities.

Key Features

• Solid micrograin carbide construction for superior hardness and wear resistance compared to HSS taps
• 4-flute straight flute design optimized for short-chipping materials
• Plug chamfer for straightforward thread starting in through or blind holes
• Right-hand thread direction, 5/16-18 UNC, 3B class of fit with H3 thread limit
• Bright, uncoated finish - no coating buildup to affect thread tolerance
• No coolant-through requirement; suitable for hand tapping with standard cutting fluids

Compatibility

Designed as a standard replacement hand tap for 5/16-18 UNC threading applications in Series 2014 tooling programs.

Installation Notes

This tap is intended for use by machinists and maintenance professionals familiar with hand tapping procedures. Always secure the workpiece and ensure the tap is properly aligned before applying torque to prevent breakage, which is a heightened risk with carbide tooling due to its brittleness compared to HSS. Use an appropriate cutting fluid for the workpiece material. Inspect the tap for chips or cracks before each use and replace if any damage is observed.