Tapping threads in metal will allow you to secure a bolt to the metal without the need for a nut to hold the bolt in place. When using the tap, you need to keep the tap lubricated and ensure that you keep even pressure downward while turning the tap into the hole. A carbide tap is strong when force is applied down, but the tap will break easily if you apply uneven pressure to the side of the tap. This will result in you needing to remove the broken tap from the hole, which is no easy task.
Put on your safety glasses and place the appropriate sized tap into the tap T-handle. If you are unsure of the hole size, slide drill bits into the hole until you determine the size of the hole.
Apply tapping fluid to the tap and the hole in the metal that you are threading.
Align the tap in the hole, keeping the tap T-handle parallel to the surface of the metal turn the tap T-handle clockwise to start threading the hole for a standard thread or counter-clockwise if you are tapping a left-handed thread.
Reverse the direction of the tap if you notice that the tap gets harder to turn. You will need to turn the tap 1/4 to 1/2 of a turn in the opposite direction to remove the metal shavings that are binding the tap.
Continue turning threading the hole into the metal until either you have bottomed out in the hole or the top of the tap has reached the metal surface.
Reverse the direction of the tap to remove the tap from the hole. Ensure that the tap leaves the hole square as to avoid damaging the threads that you have tapped in the hole.
Clean the area around the threaded hole with a clean rag to remove metal shavings from the surface of the metal.
