A threading toolkit is an assortment of equipment for fabricating and manipulating threads. These strands – typically of metal but also formed from plastic or alternate substances – are slender cylinders employed to unite two or more items.
A tap and die set is the most common type of threading toolkit: this particular combination of tools is used to cut threads onto, and into, a workpiece. The tap is held securely in a tap holder, while the die is affixed to a die holder. Together, these tools are used to shape and create threads.
Inserting the tap into the workpiece and giving it a clockwise spin causes its threads to cut into the material. Then, taking a die and turning it in the opposite direction imparts threads onto its surface.
The threading toolkit isn’t complete without chasers, taps, dies, and thread gauges. These components all work together to help ensure threads are correctly cut, created, and repaired. Chasers help clean up cuts made by the tap, while taps form new threads. Dies mend threads that have been damaged and thread gauges measure the pitch, diameter, and depth of threads.
From auto manufacturing to electronics and even a pursuit as leisurely as hobby creation, the threading toolkit has become a staple in a wide range of arenas. It is a versatile instrument that plays an essential role in many industries, including the automotive and aerospace industries.