The most useful distinction is between cutting and forming the internal thread. A cutting tap removes material and creates chips, so chip evacuation and hole depth matter. A forming tap displaces material instead of cutting it, which can produce strong threads in suitable ductile materials but usually needs a different drill size and enough wall thickness around the hole.
Thread milling is another option when flexibility matters, especially for larger diameters, CNC work, or jobs where one tool may cover several thread sizes. It can reduce breakage risk in difficult parts, but it requires the right machine, program, and toolholding setup. The right choice depends on the workpiece material, blind or through-hole design, thread tolerance, batch size, and the fastener that will be assembled into the thread.
Start with the thread that the finished part must accept. Confirm the standard, nominal diameter, pitch, right- or left-hand direction, and required fit. If the internal thread will receive a screw, bolt, or stud already specified in the assembly, the tool choice should support that mating part rather than only matching a drawing note.
Match the tool style to the hole. Spiral point taps are often used for through holes because they push chips ahead. Spiral flute taps help pull chips back from blind holes. Straight flute taps can suit simpler materials and short runs. For forming taps, confirm that the material can be cold-formed and that the prepared hole size is correct for thread formation, not for a conventional cutting tap.
Do not treat pilot hole size as a minor detail. A hole that is too small can overload the tool or distort the thread; a hole that is too large can reduce thread engagement. Surface finish, coating, lubrication, and machine rigidity also change the result, especially in stainless steel, alloy steel, cast materials, or abrasive materials.
A practical next step is to provide the internal thread specification, workpiece material, hole type, production method, and the mating fastener details. If Hebei Wotu Fastener Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is being asked to support a threaded assembly, also confirm whether the requirement is for the thread cutting tool itself, the mating fastener, or advice on matching the two.