Tap & Die Instructions

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Sharing your passion for making jewelry. Products. Service. Know-how. Tap & Die Instructions Screw-Plate The screw-plate is a threading die for hand-forming external threads on screws and bolts. The plate is highly tempered tool-steel, pierced with one or more threaded holes—progressively increasing in size—that are circular or double-notched to allow metal chips and shavings to clear away. When making an external thread, select the screw-plate hole that has an inner thread diameter less than the diameter of the shank, so that it will cut into the shank and form threads. Clamp the screw head in a vise with the shank pointing perpendicularly upward. Set the selected screw-plate hole down firmly over the shank to fix it in a starting position. Turn the screw-plate handle clockwise; the screw-plate grooves automatically start to cut into the shank as the screw-plate advances. Continue to wind the screw-plate until the desired depth of thread is formed on the shank, then reverse the direction and unwind the screw-plate until it can be removed.

Taps To create a nut for use with a screw or bolt, cut a rectangular piece of sheet metal thick enough to engage at least three of the thread crests on the screw or bolt. At least three threads are needed to give the nut sufficient grip to hold the screw or bolt securely. Mark the center of the sheet metal piece with a center punch. Using a tap drill that corresponds with the tap size used, drill a hole straight through the metal where you have marked it. Insert the tap, make a quarter turn, then back off. Continue advancing the tap one quarter-turn at a time, backing off after each turn until the hole is completely tapped. Be sure to keep taps clean and free of shavings while tapping.

We recommend using liquid BurLife® for all tap & die work. Available at riogrande.com and in your Rio Grande catalogs.