Solid carbide taps are manufactured from micrograin carbide rather than conventional high speed steel. Carbide taps are harder and more abrasion resistant than HSS taps; achieve higher speeds and feeds; offer improved thread quality; last longer in high production runs; allow tapping in hard, difficult to machine materials and reduce overall operating costs. These standard style HAND taps have straight flutes of a number specified by the user. Taper, plug and bottoming styles provide versatility in tough materials, as well as blind and through holes.