10-24 taps are generally used for in-through or blind holes. If you’re here, you’re probably looking for what size drill bit for a 10-24 tap. It’s important to use the right drill bit size to correct the fit and function.
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What Size Drill Bit for a 10-24 Tap?
A 10-24 tap would need a size drill bit of 5/32 inches or a number 25 drill bit. This equates to 0.1495 inches in decimals. The 10-24 tap is part of the NC thread just like the 12-24 tap. NC stands for National Course or known also as NC or UNC (Unified National Coarse).
UNC or NC is commonly used in the United States and Canada and is used as means to classify threads. Coarse threads are known for being deeper than fine threads, like the 7/16-14 taps with a drill bit of 23/64″ and the 12-24 tap with a drill bit of 11/64″, with fewer threads per inch.
Tips for Using Medium Drill Bits
Wear Protective Eyewear
Since I’m dealing with medium drill bits, debris could fly away and land into your eyes. Accidents related to eyes are one of the most common mistakes people do when handling drills. It’s important to protect your eyes from flying debris, which might lead to serious injuries.
Wear safety glasses as a precaution. There is a lot of protective eyewear you can choose from that has different designs. Choose one that fits snugly in your head so it doesn’t slip off as you are drilling.
You can put it in a checklist before drilling so you won’t forget to wear them.
Consider Using Stud Finder
A stud finder ensures you are not drilling into a water pipe or electric cables. Drilling through electric cables can create a huge accident, like electrocuting yourself. So, it’s best to use a stud finder as a safety precaution.
It’s also useful to avoid hitting water pipes which can cause leakage and flooding in your home. You should use a stud finder when drilling with hazardous materials near the drilling spot.
If you’re drilling into an unfamiliar surface, it’s best to use a stud finder to ensure you are drilling precisely and accurately. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Use a Test Board
When drilling wood or metal, your medium drill bits can create a splintered hole on one side. This is called a blowout which most amateur DIY workers get often. Blowouts can damage your workpiece affecting its quality.
It can sometimes lead to accidents since the drill bursting through the hole will make you lose control when you’re careless.
To stop this from happening, you can use a test or spare board as a cushion to clamp the piece down. The spare board prevents any blowouts since it acts as a cushion when drilling a hole.
Conclusion
The 10-24 tap creates precise holes and is ideal for ductile materials like copper, brass, and non-metallics. Make sure you use the right drill bit size, which is 5/32 inches, to work properly and last long when applied.
