Your pilot hole drill bit size will depend on the size of your sheet metal screw.
Pilot hole size sheet metal screws.
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.
To counterbore for striking head.
Bit or drill sizes.
Average rockwell b 55 75.
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.
For shank clearance holes.
Twist bit nearest size in fractions of an inch.
Drill gauge no or letter to be used for maximum holding power.
Size 8 1 8 inches.
However there are times when sheet metal screws are required.
This should help whenever you run into a situation you need to drill a pilot hole and are not sure the size bit.
There is nothing more aggravating when you just don t know what size drill bit to use for a pilot.
The best way to drill an accurate pilot hole is to have the right hole size.
The pilot hole should be well fitted to the screw or the nail so that it would not wobble when inserted.
Twist bit nearest size in fractions of an inch.
To help my readers out i thought i would add this quick reference chart.
Size 14 1 4 inches 3 16 inches.
Size 10 9 64 inches.
Lo driv tri round recommended pilot holes sizes metric screws.
Drill gauge no to be used for.
No of auger bit.
Size 12 5 32 inches.
Size 6 7 64 inches.
Types ab b self tapping screws in mild steel brass aluminium alloy stainless steel and monel sheet metal.
It is recommended that you should spend ample time to read and understand the drill bit guide.
Shop for wood screws.
To achieve this the right bit size should be used.
A size 4 screw should have a pilot hole drill size of 3 32 inches.
Life while installing shelving in my home i had to drill pilot holes for 8 and 12 metal screws into studs.
Low carbon sheet and bar.