what size bit to tap a 3/8 course hole

by John King 10 min read

Most drill charts recommend a 5/16 drill for a 3/8-16 bolt. Cutting holes that are smaller will leave more material for the tap to cut out, risking tap breakage.

Full Answer

What size drill bit for a ⅜-16 tap?

The best size drill bit for the ⅜″-16 tap is 5/16″ drill bit. For the ⅜”-24 tap, the 21/64″ drill bit is best, which corresponds to an Q drill bit. A ⅜” cap comes in two different thread counts: 16 and 24. Thus, the size of the drill bit is also different for each one of them. A 3/8″ 16 Tap requires a special process, as does a 3/8″ NPT Tap.

What size NPT drill bit do I Need?

Now that you have all the numbers, you will also need a ⅜” NPT Tap and Drill set in order to accommodate the drill bit you’ll need. The length of these drill bits is usually six inches in length. There are also two different thread pitches that you need to be aware of.

What size bolt for a 3/8 tap?

As well, as far as I know, tapping a 3/8″ hole would imply a bolt larger than the hole, which you have not specified. The next standard bolt size would be 7/16″, for which a 3/8″ hole would be wrong and most likely would break the tap.

What size drill do I use to tap a 3/8 hole?

Nominal Size (inches)T P ITapping Drill Size1/41911.8 mm29/64"3/81915.25 mm19/32"24 more rows

What bit do you use for a 3/8 tap?

US Tap and Drill Bit Size TableTapFractional Drill BitLetter Drill Bit5/16"-1817/64"F5/16"-24-I3/8"-165/16"-3/8"-2421/64"Q24 more rows

What size hole is required for a 3/8 inch bolt?

This table shows how to determine the clearance hole size for a bolt. For example, an 3/8″ bolt with a close fit would have a W (0.3860) clearance hole.

How do you drill a 3/8 hole in wood?

0:201:46The Work Around: How to Drill Big Holes Into Wood | HGTV - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt. Use a scrap piece of wood like this and clamp it underneath now when you go to drill. SafetyMoreIt. Use a scrap piece of wood like this and clamp it underneath now when you go to drill. Safety glasses on don't just hit the gas and go slowly let the drill. Bit.

What drill bit do I use for a 3/8 screw?

Common # sizes go from #80 through #1, in ascending sizes, up to . 2280....Screw Size-TPIRecommended Hole DiameterDrill Bit Size5/16-180.2900"L3/8-160.3580"T1/2-130.4531"29/64"10 more rows

What size drill bit is needed for a 3/8 NPT tap?

37/64"NPT Tap Drill ChartTap SizeDrill SizeTap and Drill Set3/8" NPT Tap37/64" Drill Bit3/8" NPT Tap and Drill Set1/2" NPT Tap23/32" Drill Bit1/2" NPT Tap and Drill Set3/4" NPT Tap59/64" Drill Bit3/4" NPT Tap and Drill Set1" NPT Tap1-5/32" Drill Bit1" NPT Tap and Drill Set10 more rows

What size drill bit do I need for a 3/8 drop in anchor?

1/2"Installing a 3/8" Drop-In Anchor Zinc Plated Drill a 1/2" hole into the concrete using a carbide-tipped bit that meets ANSI Standards B212. 15. The depth of the hole can be deeper or equal to the minimum embedment depth of 1-9/16" which is equal to the length of the anchor .

What is the correct tap drill size for a 3/8-16 UNC tap?

For example, drill size for a 3/8-16 thread is 0.375 0.0625 (pitch) = 0.312 in.

What TPI for 3/8 taps?

The more common TPI counts for 3/8″ taps found in the USA are 16 TPI and 24 TPI. Since you obviously have a computer with www access, all you have to do is enter tap drill chart into any search engine to bring up numerous charts that will tell you to use a 5/16″ drill for a 3/8 x 16 tap or a “Q” drill for a 3/8 x24 tap.

How to drill a 1/4" hole in steel?

Use a good cutting fluid such as Rapid-Tap. Apply a firm, steady, downward pressure. Go slowly, steel is tough, and it will take more pressure and time than drilling through wood. For holes over 1/4” dia., drill a 1/4” pilot hole first, then follow with the finish size. Larger holes are best done using a drill press.

What is the diameter of a 60 degree drill?

That means it has a 60 degree thread form. That, in turn, means that you simply subtract the pitch, in inches, from the nominal diameter. The nominal diameter is 0.5″, the pitch is 1″/13 or 0.0769″, so your drill size is 0.5 - 0.0769″, or 0.4231″, or 27/64″, or 10.7mm. Metric is so much easier.

Can you use a straight flute drill for aluminum?

If maintaining hole size, finish and hole roundness are the goals, using a straight-flute, through-coolant drill is advantageous. Usually, coatings are not applied to drills in aluminum applications, as a majority of coatings contain aluminum. You can also refer below drills offered by Kennametal.

What are the sizes of drill bits?

Metric drill bit sizes: diameter of the bit in terms of standard metric lengths.#N#Letter drill bit sizes: the sizes are indicated in letters, from size A (the smallest) to size Z (the largest).#N#Number drill bit sizes: the sizes are indicated in numbers, range from size 80 (the smallest) to size 1 (the largest). Number and letter sizes are commonly used for twist drill bits rather than other drill forms.#N#Fractional drill bit sizes: the sizes are written as irreducible fractions. ANSI B94.11M-1979 sets size standards for jobber-length straight-shank twist drill bits from 1/64 inch through 1 inch in 1/64 inch increments.#N#Decimal drill bit sizes: written in number with 4 decimal places, equivalent to fractional-inch drill bit sizes

What is the difference between tapping and drilling?

Drilling is a process of producing a hole while tapping is a technique used to cut a thread inside a hole, so the drill bit and tapping tool are often used in sequential to fabricate CNC parts with thread holes.

Why cut holes in a tap?

Cutting holes that are smaller will leave more material for the tap to cut out, risking tap breakage. Drilling larger holes will result in weaker threads, increasing the possibility of stripping them.

Do you need a bigger hole for a tap?

Soft or thin materials require a smaller hole for stronger threads. Hard, tough materials and deep holes require a larger hole to ease pressure on the tap while it is cutting. Advertisement.

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