question on thread taps

[08gt4u]

i just picked up a tap to run through the new race star lug nuts that i just order and i know that the correct size is 1/2in.-20RH.now i cant find a local store that sells RH taps the only thing i found was 1/2in.-20NF. can anyone tell me what is the difference between NF and RH please.

 

[Kaldar142]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screw_thread

 

[08gt4u]

thanks man.i read the whole tham thing and still didnt answer my question really.this are the most common in the united states, National Coarse (NC), National Fine (NF), and National Pipe Taper (NPT).now since the lugnuts call for a 1/2in-20 RH can i use a 1/2in-20NF tap or do i need to find a specific one with just RH on it and not NF.

 

[Kaldar142]

I'm no professional on threads but i'd say go with the RH.

If you already have the lug nuts and the tap, i'd say try it on something else and see if it threads on. That way you'll know if the NF works.

 

[08gt4u]

i have been going crazy today looking for just an RH one and i cant find it anywhere around here.i did try it on an old lug nut and it threads in the stud fine but it feals a little loose,it has a little back to front play compare to the other lug wich i had used just an RH.
i did find one in summit but there is no way that thing will be here by tomorrow before 8pm.

 

[Joser281]

If it's a standard size and it calls out for a 1/2-20 thread then from my understanding it will work. 1/2-20 Taps are automatically UNF. The only 1/2 Tap that is NC is a 1/2-13 UNC Tap meaning that it will have 13 instead of 20 threads per inch. There is no 1/2-20 UNC tap from my knowledge.

Edit: Where are you from? If you haven't bought a tap yet then I can see if we got some here at my work (machine shop) and I'll send it to you just pay shipping.

 

[Natural1]

NF taps cannot be NC, it's like calling the day, a night. Also, if there are left handed taps and dies that are etched LH, then RH would simply mean right handed. As far is the thread class or fit, there are many but the most common are your 2A and 2B classes. There are many clases and you will see some others become more common as the threads increase in diameter. At any rate, these denote the fit between the threads cut by a die or in a lathe on piece of stock and the threads cut into a hole by the tap.

Just curious, why are you tapping the lug nuts? If the studs are 1/2-20 and the lug nuts are 1/2-20, what's the problem?

 

[08gt4u]

If it's a standard size and it calls out for a 1/2-20 thread then from my understanding it will work. 1/2-20 Taps are automatically UNF. The only 1/2 Tap that is NC is a 1/2-13 UNC Tap meaning that it will have 13 instead of 20 threads per inch. There is no 1/2-20 UNC tap from my knowledge.

Edit: Where are you from? If you haven't bought a tap yet then I can see if we got some here at my work (machine shop) and I'll send it to you just pay shipping.

thank you for the offer but i just order one.

 

[08gt4u]

NF taps cannot be NC, it's like calling the day, a night. Also, if there are left handed taps and dies that are etched LH, then RH would simply mean right handed. As far is the thread class or fit, there are many but the most common are your 2A and 2B classes. There are many clases and you will see some others become more common as the threads increase in diameter. At any rate, these denote the fit between the threads cut by a die or in a lathe on piece of stock and the threads cut into a hole by the tap.

Just curious, why are you tapping the lug nuts? If the studs are 1/2-20 and the lug nuts are 1/2-20, what's the problem?

the race star lug nut have a lot of imperfections on the inside of the threat and it causes the lug to cross thread or lock half way in the stud.to get it out you have to brake the stud off.i allready went through it the first time braking 3 studs.the second set i was send to replace the broken ones i ran a tap through them and never had a problem.after so many people having the same issue as me im not taking any chances.