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Tap

From WikiPedalia

A tap is a tool for cutting internal threads. It takes the form of a bolt with flutes cut in the threads, and usually has a taper at the end that is intended to start the thread. There are only a few standard sizes used on bicycles:

Tap

Size Application Metric drill SAE drill
3 mm Adjusters in rear dropouts
5 mm x .8 mm Bottle cage mounts, fender eyelets, shift lever bosses. 4.20
  1. 19
6 mm x 1mm Cantilever bosses, some fender eyelets 5 mm
  1. 9
10 mm x 1mm Derailer hangers 9.0 mm "T"
1/2" x 20 L & R Pedal threads for one-piece cranks
9/16" x 20 L & R Pedal threads for three-piece cranks
1.375 x 24 tpi L & R British/I.S.O. bottom brackets
35 x 1mm L & R French & Swiss bottom brackets
36 x 1mm Italian bottom brackets

The corresponding nut-like tool for cutting external threads is called a die.

My Tool Tips series features an article on the use of taps.