Tight threads produced in a tapping operation may be indicative of what issue?

Tight threads in a tapping operation often indicate tap wear. As a tap wears down, its cutting edges become less sharp and can lead to increased friction during the tapping process. This excessive friction can create tighter-than-expected threads, resulting in difficulty when fitting the tapped hole with a corresponding bolt or screw. Maintaining the sharpness of the tap is crucial for achieving the correct thread fit and ensuring smooth operation.

While other factors can contribute to issues in threading, tap wear specifically leads to non-conforming thread dimensions, helping to understand why this is the most relevant reason for the occurrence of tight threads in this context.