Cut tap vs roll tap

Are you working on finishing your basement? Or do you need to drill lots of holes into cement? Skip the frustration and do what we did – buy a rotary hammer!.

The boards would have to be secured to the cinder block, meaning we needed to drill into the cinder block. We bought our supplies (which included masonry screws and a masonry drill bit) and started the project, thinking this would take no time to complete.

Forming Tap

And yes, we were using the correct drill bit for the job.  We even switched drill bits often but after about one hole, the new bit was shot.

If you’re worried about how to drill into cinder block for your next project, we’ve got you covered! Find out how to do it right the first time.

Roll taps, also called ‘form taps,’ have one continuous spiral thread on the tap and do not have flutes. They reform the material inside the hole rather than cutting it away. This typically makes them more durable than cut taps and provides a stronger thread in the material.

Cut tap drill size

“You can use it more often, we’ll say, before you’ll want to replace it,” Butler says. “That’s why so many machine shops want to use a roll tap.”

Roll tap drill size chart

So if you are wondering how to drill through cinder block or cement, the answer is a ROTARY hammer drill! It will make your project go a lot smoother.

Cut taps are generally a cheaper option than roll taps and can be used in a wide variety of materials. However, the material being threaded will also chip and create debris. Those chips can be pulled out of blind holes by using a spiral flute cut tap.

We continued using this process for a few days, not getting anywhere. Except maybe getting more frustrated and worried about how we were ever going to finish our whole basement.

Despite being versatile and cost-efficient, cut taps also typically have a shorter tool life and will have to be replaced more often. Because the cut tap is literally cutting the material, it can become dull and worn rather quickly.

“A cut tap is actually going to cut away material after you’ve drilled the hole,” Butler says. “As it puts threads inside the material, it will cut away a portion and give you a very defined, more of a diamond-shaped thread.”

Let’s start with a little backstory on how we came to know this and finally learned the easier way to drill into cinder block.

Thread forming tap

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We returned our hammer drill and we got the Bosch Rotary Hammer Drill with a drill bit. Then, after saying a few prayers, we tried the rotary hammer.

John Butler, a Martin Supply Regional Account Manager and Certified Fastener Specialist, explained some of those differences on the Fully Threaded Radio Podcast.

Just like with most other tools, the right tap for your job depends on a number of outside factors including material, application, and desired thread characteristics.

Before, we were using all of our strength (guess we could have skipped the gym that day!). Now, the rotary hammer was doing all the work; we just held the drill in place.

UPDATE: We are still loving this drill. We have used it to drill holes through brick & concrete and also remove tile – this thing is amazing for demo! I would recommend it to anyone

Roll taps should not be used when dealing with a material that is especially hard, such as cast iron, or soft, such as nylon or plastics. If the material is too hard, it may fracture and break. If it is too soft, it may eventually become displaced.

One day, my husband and I decided to insulate one of the rooms in our basement (really just a closet). After some research, we chose to use foam insulation with 2×2 boards.

Hi, I’m Megan Taylor, an experienced home renovator and woodworker, mentored by my father, a professional contractor. I'm the creator of TwoFeetFirst, where I share my DIY knowledge with you. My mission is to guide and inspire you in transforming your home into something you love. Welcome!

But then we got a big slap in the face. After hours of drilling into the cinder block, we only had about 4 finished holes. You can imagine how frustrated we were.

Why was it so difficult? We watched lots of videos of people drilling into cement and they did not have this much trouble. What are we doing wrong?

We completed 3-4 holes in the time it took us to complete one with the regular hammer drill. And it was even easier to use!

Form tap vs cut tap

But again, hours later, we only had 10 finished holes drilled (this worked better than the regular drill but still not easy).

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When forming an internal thread, cut taps and roll taps are two of the most popular options. Both taps have advantages and disadvantages, and the right option for you may depend on the material being threaded.