Special PG taps cut Panzergewinde (PG) conduit and cable gland threads to your drawing, sample, or non-stocked size and tolerance. When a stock tap doesn’t match your part, a custom-built tap from a Canadian tap manufacturer like Taylor Tool gets you a correct thread without compromise. This guide covers when to go special, how to choose tap style and substrate, and how to specify the tool.

What Are Special PG Taps?

PG taps cut Panzergewinde, the conduit thread form used for cable glands and conduit entries. “Special” means the tap is made to your drawing, your sample part, or a size and tolerance that distributors don’t keep on the shelf.

PG is one of the specialty thread forms Taylor Tool builds alongside Acme, Whitworth, BSPT and BSPP. If you’re comparing options across thread forms, our special thread taps page covers the full range. This article stays focused on PG-specific decisions.

When Do You Need a Special PG Tap Instead of a Stock Tap?

You need a special PG tap when stock sizes, tolerances, or materials don’t match your part. General suppliers don’t stock many specialty thread forms, so PG work often lands in custom territory quickly.

Common triggers include:

• Unusual pitch that doesn’t match a catalogued PG size
• Oversized or large-diameter threads outside typical stocking ranges
• Left-hand threads for reverse-threaded assemblies
• Modified standards, where a standard PG form needs a tweaked major diameter, relief, or tolerance to suit your process
• Difficult materials where a general-purpose tap wears out too quickly

If your requirement falls outside a standard PG form, our special purpose taps page describes the broader custom option. Whether you need a modified standard or a completely unique tool, Taylor Tool’s engineering team works directly with you.

PG Thread Basics: Where They’re Used and How They Differ

PG is a conduit and cable-entry thread form, so you’ll meet it on cable glands, conduit fittings, and electrical enclosures. It is not interchangeable with metric or NPT threads, which is the most common source of mismatches on the shop floor.

Key points to confirm before ordering:

• Sizing data: confirm the exact PG size and tolerance with Taylor Tool’s team rather than relying on a generic chart

If your part uses a PG size or variant that isn’t a common catalogued size, ask about a custom build and send your drawing or sample.

Choosing Tap Style: Spiral Point, Spiral Flute, or Form Tap

Match chip control to hole type: spiral point taps for through holes, spiral flute taps for blind holes, and form taps when you want a chipless thread in ductile material. For blind-hole PG threads, spiral flute is the usual answer because it pulls chips up and out of the hole.

Spiral point taps and spiral flute taps are both part of Taylor Tool’s standard tap families, and any of these styles can be built as a special. If thread strength and chip-free threading matter for your application, see our special form taps page.

Materials and Substrates: HSS, Carbide, and Powdered Metal

Choose the tap substrate by workpiece hardness, abrasiveness, and production volume. HSS handles general work, while carbide and powdered metal earn their cost when tool life and consistency drive your cost per hole.

• HSS: a sound starting point for general-purpose tapping in a range of materials.
• Carbide taps: the right call for hardened steels, high-silicon aluminum, and other abrasive materials where high-speed steel can’t hold an edge. Carbide offers wear resistance and rigidity for demanding, high-volume work.
• Powdered metal taps: an exceptionally uniform, tough substrate suited to heavy machining. Explore our powdered metal taps on the main taps page.
• High performance taps: advanced geometries and premium substrates for higher speeds and longer tool life in production environments. See our high performance spiral taps.

The goal is lower cost per hole over the life of the tool, so factor in how many parts you’re running and how often a tap has to be changed, not just the purchase price.

How to Specify a Custom PG Tap

Send a drawing or sample plus your thread size, workpiece material, hole type, and tolerance requirements. Taylor Tool works from either your drawing or a sample part, and builds everything from one-off prototypes to repeat production runs.

Use this checklist when you contact us:

• Thread form and size: PG designation or sample part
• Hand: right-hand or left-hand thread
• Hole type: through hole or blind hole
• Workpiece material: for example stainless steel, aluminum, or hardened steel
• Tolerance and any modified-standard details
• Quantity: prototype, small batch, or repeat run
• Preferred style and substrate: or ask our team to recommend one

Ready to start? Request a quote or call us directly. Custom tap sets, matched to your job, are also available.

Why Source Special PG Taps from Taylor Tool

Taylor Tool is a Canadian manufacturer, established in 1918, and a manufacturer rather than a reseller. That means quality is controlled from design through grinding and shipping.

• Industries served: automotive, aerospace, power generation, and general manufacturing, from the smallest job shops to the largest industrial manufacturers
• Fast, on-time shipments to customers across North America
• 24-hour jet tap service for production-critical needs
• Distribution: sold through a network of distributors in Canada; our sales team can direct you to the nearest one
• U.S. customers: contact sales for U.S. ordering information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PG tap?

A PG tap cuts Panzergewinde threads, the thread form used for conduit and cable gland entries. A special PG tap is made to your drawing, sample, or non-stocked size and tolerance.

What does PG thread stand for?

PG stands for Panzergewinde, a conduit and cable-entry thread form. Taylor Tool builds PG taps alongside other specialty thread forms such as Acme, Whitworth, BSPT and BSPP.

PG is its own thread form and is not interchangeable with metric or NPT. Using the wrong tap produces a thread that won’t mate correctly. Ask Taylor Tool to confirm your sizing requirement before ordering.

Can Taylor Tool make a custom PG tap to my drawing?

Yes. Taylor Tool works from your drawing or a sample part and builds custom taps from one-off prototypes to repeat production runs.

Which tap style is best for PG threads in blind holes?

Spiral flute taps are typically chosen for blind holes because they pull chips up and out of the hole. Spiral point taps suit through holes. Ask our team to recommend a style for your material and setup.

Are carbide PG taps available for abrasive or hardened materials?

Taylor Tool produces carbide and carbide-tipped taps for hardened steels, high-silicon aluminum, and other abrasive materials. Ask about carbide options for your PG specification.

What information do I need to provide to order a special PG tap?

Provide a drawing or sample, thread size, right- or left-hand, through or blind hole, workpiece material, tolerance, and quantity.

Does Taylor Tool make left-hand or oversized special taps?

Yes. Taylor Tool builds left-hand, oversized and large-diameter, and multi-lead special taps, as well as unusual pitches.

Can I order special PG taps in the United States?

Contact Taylor Tool’s sales team for U.S. ordering information. Call 1-855-221-8277 (USA) or 1-800-265-2145 (Canada), or email sales@taylortool.com.

Does Taylor Tool offer fast turnaround on taps?

Taylor Tool provides fast, on-time shipments, including 24-hour jet tap service for production-critical needs. Ask about lead times for your specific custom requirement.

Contact Taylor Tool: 4 Goebel Avenue, Cambridge, ON N3C 1Z1 | 519-658-9378 | Canada 1-800-265-2145 | USA 1-855-221-8277 | sales@taylortool.com