Drilling Machine Operator how-to

How to Tap a Threaded Hole

Taps break if forced.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Taps break if forced. In short: drill; chamfer; use, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Drill the tap drill size.

  2. Chamfer.

  3. Use cutting fluid.

  4. Start straight.

  5. Turn steadily.

  6. Back out chips.

Safety reminders for drilling machine operators

  • Clamp parts securely
  • Never hold parts by hand
  • Wear eye protection
  • No gloves near spinning bits

Speeds and feeds · RPM · Tap · Ream · Countersink · Pilot hole: see the full drilling machine operator glossary.

More drilling machine operator how-to guides

Learn this in Drilling Machine Operator trainingTake the practice test
Enroll in trainingTake fit quiz