The history of thread cutting

How it all began

The idea of producing screws and nuts with the correct pitch is older than many people think. As early as the 15th century, the first threads were filed or sawed by hand —laborious, but effective, by the standards of the time.

It was only with the industrial revolution in the 18th century that the first dies and hand taps were created, with which craftsmen could make more precise connections.

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The step towards the norm

A major advance came in 1841 from the Englishman Joseph Whitworth , who introduced the first standardized thread profile .
On this basis, the metric ISO threads we know today (e.g. M6, M8, M12) later emerged – a development that simplified craftsmanship worldwide.

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From hand tap to machine

To this day, a lot of cutting is done manually in workshops – for example, during repairs or custom-made items.
At the same time, CNC machines handle series production with the highest precision. While technology has evolved, the principle remains the same: a precisely shaped profile ensures secure connections.

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Why good tools are crucial

A tap or die must be sharp, dimensionally accurate and stable .
Cheap tools quickly lose their cutting performance or break.
a+s relies on HSS quality and precise grinding geometries to ensure that every thread sits cleanly – whether metric, fine or imperial.

Thread cutting is an ancient but highly precise process . Modern tools combine the experience of generations with the latest manufacturing technology – ensuring that every turn produces a perfect thread.