Yutian Jifu Paper Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.yutianjifu.com
Sustainability is one of the most important topics of our time. Whether it's recycling yogurt containers, choosing green energy, or donating old clothes instead of throwing them away, people are making small but meaningful efforts to live more sustainably. However, what really captures attention is when sustainability also brings a **direct benefit**. That’s where thread cutting comes in.
Resharpening worn-out tools is not only an eco-friendly choice but also a smart one. It saves resources, reduces waste, and helps you save money. One great example is **resharpening screw taps**, which can give life back to tools that might otherwise be discarded. But before grabbing your grinding wheel, remember: this is a job best left to **professional resharpening services**. The precision required to restore a tap to its original condition demands expertise, so it’s always better to trust the professionals.
### What Makes Resharpening Screw Taps Valuable?
A screw tap endures a lot during regular use. Over time, the **cutting edges wear down**, and issues like broken teeth or cold welding can occur, altering the geometry of the cutting edge. All of these problems can be resolved through proper resharpening.
Wear and damage can seriously affect the **quality of the threads** you produce. If a tap becomes too worn, it may no longer cut threads to standard specifications, leading to poor results or even damaged workpieces. Delaying resharpening can also lead to breakage, which makes the tool unusable and potentially damages the part you're working on. By resharpening your screw taps, you improve performance, reduce costs, and make a more sustainable choice—**a smarter and more affordable alternative to buying new taps**.
### How to Resharpen Your Screw Tap
Resharpening a screw tap isn’t just about grinding—it’s about precision and understanding the tool’s design. Each tap has unique characteristics, and every type of wear or damage needs individual attention. Before any work begins, the **exact nature of the damage** must be carefully assessed. The original geometry of the tap should remain intact, as you want the resharpened tap to perform exactly like it did when it was new.
The key areas for resharpening are the **lead and flank surfaces**. Here’s how the process typically works:
#### Resharpening the Lead
For **blind holes**, the lead is often shortened to remove wear. This is the first step. Afterward, the grinding wheel is aligned at the correct angle to the tap’s axis, ensuring the right clearance and diameter.
For **through holes**, the lead is usually not shortened, but the cutting section may extend slightly, which should be considered when using the tap again.
#### Resharpening the Flank Surface
Once the lead is addressed, the **flank surfaces** need attention. This step is crucial for maintaining the quality of the resharpening. The correct flank angle must be measured before and after grinding to ensure accuracy.
#### Special Case: Spiral Entry Lead
Resharpening a spiral entry lead requires extra care. Professional services use **specialized grinding fixtures** that allow both horizontal and vertical tilting, enabling precise adjustments to the spiral lead angle. The flank angle remains critical, and after resharpening, the spiral entry should be about 1 to 2 threads longer than the lead.
### Things to Consider When Resharpening
Resharpening screw taps involves many details. Choosing the right equipment is essential. Some fixtures only require a **basic machine**, but they’re generally limited to resharpening flanks. Professional services often use **modern CNC machines** for greater accuracy. The type of grinding wheel used also matters, as it can be affected by the stress from the tap’s teeth.
Other factors, such as using a **wet grind**, controlling the feed rate, and adjusting the tilt of the grinding wheel, all play a role in achieving the best results.
### Resharpening Thread Cutting Dies
It’s not just screw taps that can be resharpened—**thread cutting dies** can too. They should be resharpened when signs of wear appear or when damage is visible. Typically, only the **lead and spiral lead** are addressed, though the thread section can also be resharpened with grinding pins if needed. Measuring the flank angle accurately during this process can be challenging.
If you've made it this far, you probably understand why it's best to leave resharpening to the experts. At BAER, we offer professional resharpening services for screw taps and thread cutting dies, combining decades of experience with modern technology. We deliver fast, reliable, and expert service—always ready to help with your tool restoration needs. Contact us today via our website or phone, and let us bring your tools back to life.