What Size Drill Bit for 5/16 Tap? When it comes to choosing the right size drill bit for a 5/16 tap, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. The first is the type of material you’ll be drilling into. If you’re working with softwood, then a smaller bit will do the trick.
However, if you’re dealing with hardwood or metal, then you’ll need a larger bit. The second thing to consider is the depth of the hole you need to create. A deeper hole will require a longer drill bit, while a shallower hole can be created with a shorter bit.
Finally, keep in mind that the larger the drill bit, the more torque it will require to operate properly. With all of these factors in mind, let’s take a look at some specific drill bits that would work well for creating a 5/16 tap hole.
So what Size Drill Bit For 5/16 Tap? How to Choose the Right Drill Bit
When it comes to finding the right size drill bit for a 5/16 tap, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. The first is the type of material you’ll be drilling into. For example, if you’re drilling into soft wood, you won’t need a very large or powerful drill bit.
On the other hand, if you’re drilling into concrete or stone, you’ll need a much larger and more powerful drill bit. Another thing to consider is the size of the hole you need to create. A small hole will obviously require a smaller drill bit than a large hole.
And finally, you also need to consider the depth of the hole you need to create. A shallow hole can be drilled with a smaller drill bit than a deep hole. Now that we’ve covered all of that, let’s get down to business and figure out what size drill bit you’ll need for your 5/16 tap.
If you’re tapping into soft wood, a 1/8″ or 3/16″ drill bit should do the trick. If you’re tapping into harder woods or materials like concrete or stone, then you’ll need at least a 1/4″ or larger drill bit. And if your holes are going to be particularly deep, then go ahead and use an even larger drill bit just to be safe.
![](https://bestsawguidee.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/photo_2023-12-26_01-06-57-1024x497.jpg)
![](https://bestsawguidee.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/photo_2023-12-26_01-18-55-1024x548.jpg)
What Size Hole Do I Drill for a 5/16-24 Tap?
When it comes to drilling a hole for a 5/16-24 tap, the size of the hole you will need to drill depends on the type of threads you are using. If you are using coarse threads, then you will need to drill a 5/16-inch hole. However, if you are using fine threads, then you only need to drill a 3/8-inch hole.
What is the Inch Tap Drill Size for a 5/16-18 Thread?
There are a few different ways to measure the inch tap drill size for a 5/16-18 thread. The most common way is to use a tap-and-die set. This will give you the most accurate measurement.
Another way is to use a caliper, which can be less accurate but is still effective. To measure with a tap and die set, first find the right size die for your thread. In this case, it would be a 5/16-18 die.
Place the die in the chuck of your tap and screw it down until it’s tight. Then insert your workpiece into the die so that the threads line up. Finally, turn on your lathe and slowly feed the workpiece through the die while turning it clockwise.
Keep going until you’ve reached the desired depth of threading. To measure with a caliper, start by finding a small diameter rod or wire that will fit through the hole you need to thread. In this case, it would be 5/16″.
Once you have your rod or wire, insert it into the hole and mark where it comes out on both sides with a pen or pencil. Then measure from one mark to another with your caliper; this will give you the depth of your hole.
![](https://bestsawguidee.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/photo_2023-12-26_01-00-31-1024x582.jpg)
What Size Pilot Hole Should I Drill for a 5/16 Bolt?
When it comes to pilot holes, size definitely matters. If the hole is too small, the screw won’t be able to bite into the material and will just spin in place. If the hole is too big, however, the edges of the hole can strip away the threads on the screw, making it difficult (or even impossible) to get a tight fit.
So what’s the perfect size for a 5/16″ bolt?
The answer may surprise you – there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best way to determine the right size pilot hole is to experiment with a few different sizes until you find one that works well for your application.
With that said, as a general rule of thumb, you should start with a pilot hole that is about 1/16″ smaller than the diameter of the bolt. So for a 5/16″ bolt, you would drill a 9/32″ pilot hole. From there, you can try drilling slightly larger or smaller holes until you find one that gives you the desired results.
How to match a drill to thread tap size
What Size Drill Bit for 5/16-18 Tap
When it comes to choosing the right size drill bit for a 5/16-18 tap, there are a few things you need to take into account. The first is the thread count of the tap. This will determine the correct size drill bit you need to use.
For a 5/16-18 tap, you’ll need a #7 drill bit. The second thing you need to consider is the material you’re tapping into. Different materials require different-sized drill bits.
For example, softer metals like aluminum will require a smaller drill bit than harder metals like steel. Finally, you also need to think about the type of hole you’re trying to create. A through hole will require a different size drill bit than a blind hole.
Keep all of these factors in mind and choose the appropriate size drill bit for your project!
5/16 Tap Drill Size in Mm
When it comes to choosing the right tap drill size for a 5/16-inch tap, there are a few things that you need to take into account. The most important factor is the thread count of the tap. For example, if you’re using a tap with a 16 TPI (threads per inch) then you’ll need to use a different drill bit than if you’re using a tap with an 8 TPI.
The other thing that you need to consider is the material that you’ll be tapping into. Different materials require different drill bits and sizes. For instance, harder metals like stainless steel will require a smaller drill bit than softer metals like aluminum.
Finally, it’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to choosing your drill bit size. It’s better to have to re-tap a hole because your drill bit was too small than it is to break off your tap in the hole because your drill bit was too big!
With all of that being said, here is a general guide for choosing the right 5/16-inch tap drill size:
For taps with an 8 TPI thread count: Use a #7 or 1/4-inch Drill Bit
5/16-24 Tap Drill Size
There are a variety of tap drill sizes for various applications, but the 5/16-24 is one of the most commonly used. This is because it provides a good balance between strength and durability while still being small enough to be used in a wide range of applications. The 5/16-24 tap drill size is especially popular in automotive and aerospace applications.
Drill Size for 3/8 Tap
If you’re looking to tap a 3/8 hole, you’ll need to use a drill bit that’s slightly smaller in diameter. The exact size will depend on the type of tap you’re using. For example, a taper tap requires a drill bit that’s about 0.5mm smaller than the tap itself.
A bottoming tap, on the other hand, can be used with a drill bit that’s the same size as the tap. When in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of using a slightly smaller drill bit. This will help to prevent damage to your taps and make for an overall smoother tapping experience.
Tap-drill chart. Recommend tap drill to use for 75% depth of thread
To Tap This Size Screw Or Bolt: | Use This Drill Bit: | (Closest Fractional:) | Decimal Inches |
0-80 NF | 3/64″ | 3/64″ | .0469 |
1-64 NC | #53 | – | .0595 |
1-72 NF | #53 | 1/16″ | .0595 |
2-56 NC | #50 | – | .0700 |
2-64 NF | #50 | – | .0700 |
3-48 NC | #47 | 5/64″ | .0785 |
3-56 NF | #45 | – | .0820 |
4-36 NS | #44 | – | .0860 |
4-40 N | #43 | 3/32″ | .0890 |
4-48 NF | #42 | 3/32″ | .0935 |
3mm-0.60mm | 2.5mm | – | .0984 |
1/8-40 NS | #38 | – | .1015 |
5-40 NC | #38 | – | .1015 |
5-44 NF | #37 | – | .1040 |
6-32 NC | #35 | 7/64″ | .1100 |
6-36 NS | #34 | – | .1110 |
6-40 NF | #33 | – | .1130 |
6-48 NS | #31 | – | .1200 |
4mm-0.70mm | 3.4mm | – | .1338 |
4mm-0.75mm | 3.4mm | – | .1338 |
8-32 NC | #29 | – | .1360 |
8-36 NF | #29 | 9/64″ | .1360 |
8-40 NS | #28 | – | .1405 |
3/16-24 NS | #26 | – | .1470 |
10-24 NC | #25 | 5/32″ | .1495 |
3/16-32 NS | #22 | – | .1570 |
10-32 NF | #21 | 5/32″ | .1590 |
5mm-0.90mm | 4.2mm | – | .1653 |
5mm-0.80mm | 4.3mm | – | .1693 |
12-24 NC | #16 | 11/64″ | .1770 |
12-28 NF | #14 | 3/16″ | .1820 |
12-32 NEF | #13 | – | .1850 |
14-20 NS | #10 | – | .1935 |
1/4-20 NC | #7 | 13/64″ | .2010 |
14-24 NS | #7 | – | .2010 |
6mm-1.00mm | 5.2mm | – | .2047 |
1/4-24 NS | #4 | – | .2090 |
1/4-28 NF | #3 | 7/32″ | .2130 |
1/4-32 NEF | 7/32″ | 7/32″ | .2188 |
1/4-40 NS | #1 | – | .2280 |
7mm-1.00mm | 6.1mm | 15/64″ | .2401 |
5/16-18 NC | Ltr.F | 17/64″ | .2570 |
8mm-1.25mm | 6.9mm | 17/64″ | .2716 |
5/16-24 NF | Ltr.I | – | .2720 |
8mm-1.00mm | 7.1mm | – | .2795 |
5/16-32 NEF | 9/32″ | 9/32″ | .2812 |
9mm-1.25mm | 7.9mm | – | .3110 |
3/8-16 NC | 5/16″ | 5/16″ | .3125 |
9mm-1.00mm | 8.1mm | – | .3189 |
9mm-0.75mm | 8.3mm | – | .3268 |
3/8-24 NF | Ltr.Q | 21/64″ | .3320 |
10mm-1.50mm | 8.7mm | – | .3425 |
10mm-1.25mm | 8.9mm | 11/32″ | .3503 |
10mm-1.00mm* | 9.1mm | – | .3583 |
7/16-14 NC | Ltr.U | 23/64″ | .3680 |
11mm-1.50mm | 9.7mm | – | .3818 |
7/16-20 NF | 25/64″ | 25/64″ | .3906 |
12mm-1.75mm | 10.5mm | – | .4133 |
12mm-1.50mm | 10.7mm | 27/64″ | .4212 |
1/2-13 NC | 27/64″ | 27/64″ | .4219 |
12mm-1.25mm* | 10.9mm | 27/64″ | .4291 |
1/2-20 NF | 29/64″ | 29/64″ | .4531 |
1/2-24 NS | 29/64″ | 29/64″ | .4531 |
14mm-2.00mm | 12.2mm | – | .4803 |
9/16-12 NC | 31/64″ | 31/64″ | .4844 |
14mm-1.50mm | 12.7mm | – | .4999 |
14mm-1.25mm* | 12.8mm | – | .5039 |
5/8-11 NC | 17/32″ | 17/32″ | .5312 |
16mm-2.00mm | 14.2mm | 35/64″ | .5590 |
5/8-18 NF | 37/64″ | 37/64″ | .5781 |
16mm-1.50mm | 14.7mm | – | .5787 |
11/16-11 NS | 19/32″ | 19/32″ | .5938 |
18mm-2.50mm | 15.8mm | 39/64″ | .6220 |
11/16-16 NS | 5/8″ | 5/8″ | .6250 |
3/4-10 NC | 21/32″ | 21/32″ | .6562 |
18mm-1.50mm* | 16.8mm | – | .6614 |
3/4-16 NF | 11/16″ | 11/16″ | .6875 |
20mm-2.50mm | 17.8mm | 11/16″ | .7008 |
7/8-9 NC | 49/64″ | 49/64″ | .7656 |
7/8-14 NF | 13/16″ | 13/16″ | .8125 |
22mm-1.50mm | 20.9mm | – | .8228 |
7/8-18 NS* | 53/64″ | 53/64″ | .8281 |
24mm-3.00mm | 21.4mm | 53/64″ | .8425 |
1.8 NC | 7/8″ | 7/8″ | .8750 |
24mm-2.00mm | 22.3mm | – | .8779 |
1.12 NF | 59/64″ | 59/64″ | .9219 |
1-14 NS | 15/16″ | 15/16″ | .9375 |
1 1/8-7 NC | 63/64″ | 63/64″ | .9844 |
1 1/8-12 NF | 1 3/64″ | 1 3/64″ | 1.0469 |
1 1/4-7 NC | 1 7/64″ | 1 7/64″ | 1.1094 |
1 1/4-12 NF | 1 11/64″ | 1 11/64″ | 1.1719 |
1 3/8-6 NC | 1 7/32″ | 1 7/32″ | 1.2188 |
1 3/8-12 NF | 1 19/64″ | 1 19/64″ | 1.2969 |
1 1/2-6 NC | 1 11/32″ | 1 11/32″ | 1.3438 |
1 1/2″-12 NF | 1 27/64″ | 1 27/64″ | 1.4219 |
* These Sizes Are Spark Plug Taps |
What Drill Bit Do I Need For A 5/16 36 Tap?
You will need a 7.3mm drill bit for a 5/16 36 Tap. A 5/16-36 tap is usually used for making new threads or for rethreading jammed or damaged threads. They are also popular for general machine tapping; thus, using the right drill bit is important.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the right drill bit size for a 5/16 tap, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll give you all the information you need to know in order to make your drilling project a success. First, it’s important to note that there is no such thing as a standard drill bit size for any given tap size.
The recommended drill bit size will vary depending on the manufacturer of the taps and dies that you’re using. With that said, most experts recommend using a #7 drill bit for a 5/16 tap. Now that you know what size drill bit to use, let’s talk about how to actually drill the hole.
![](https://bestsawguidee.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/John-Carry-3.webp)
I’m John Carry, also known as a woodworker I have been a professional saw expert for over 10 years. I’d work with every type of saw machine out there, and experiment to find which tools work better.
I’m always looking for ways to improve my skills and help those around me. I love my job and am always happy to share my knowledge with others.