Average rockwell b 55 75.
Pilot hole size sheet metal screws.
Size 12 5 32 inches.
Twist bit nearest size in fractions of an inch.
Size 10 9 64 inches.
Low carbon sheet and bar.
No of auger bit.
Size 8 1 8 inches.
Bit or drill sizes.
Life while installing shelving in my home i had to drill pilot holes for 8 and 12 metal screws into studs.
Shop for wood screws.
A size 4 screw should have a pilot hole drill size of 3 32 inches.
Drill gauge no or letter to be used for maximum holding power.
The pilot hole should be well fitted to the screw or the nail so that it would not wobble when inserted.
Types ab b self tapping screws in mild steel brass aluminium alloy stainless steel and monel sheet metal.
And 5 16 inches 1 4 inches.
It is important that the correct hole size is used and the recommendation below should be followed but if very hard material is being used a hole size slightly larger may have to be used and in very soft material a smaller hole.
The best way to drill an accurate pilot hole is to have the right hole size.
However there are times when sheet metal screws are required.
Aluminum sheet and bar including aluminum andzinc die castings and all alloys in rockwell b hardnessrange from 40 70 and other ductile materials of similar hardness such as brass bronze etc note special materials and applications may warrant special hole sizes.
Your pilot hole drill bit size will depend on the size of your sheet metal screw.
There is nothing more aggravating when you just don t know what size drill bit to use for a pilot.
Lo driv tri round recommended pilot holes sizes metric screws.
To help my readers out i thought i would add this quick reference chart.
Twist bit nearest size in fractions of an inch.
For shank clearance holes.
To counterbore for striking head.
Size 6 7 64 inches.
To achieve this the right bit size should be used.
The problem was i didn t know how big to drill the holes and when the holes were too small it was quite difficult to.
Drill gauge no to be used for.
Size 14 1 4 inches 3 16 inches.