How To Drill And Tap A Hole

drilling and tapping

Drilling is the process of cutting a circular hole in a material by rotating a drill bit, and tapping is the process of using a tap to create threads on the side of a drilled hole. They are critical steps in joining and assembling parts.

Determine where to drill and use a marker or center drill to drill a small hole in that location so the drill bit stays in the correct position. Clamp the workpiece securely to the workbench to prevent movement or shaking.

Choose the appropriate drill bit based on the required hole diameter and material type. Install the drill bit into the drill chuck of the drill. Place the drill bit over the pre-drilled center hole and make sure the drill bit is perpendicular to the workpiece surface. Gradually apply downward pressure and begin to slowly rotate the drill bit. The resulting metal shavings should be removed at the appropriate time, and pressure should be continued until the drill bit completely penetrates the workpiece. During the drilling process, cutting fluid is used to cool the drill bit and workpiece to prevent overheating and extend drill bit life.

Select the appropriate tapping tool based on the required thread specification. Insert the tapping tool into the pre-drilled hole, making sure the tool is perpendicular to the workpiece surface.

Manual tapping refers to the method of tapping using a handle tapping machine or a manual tapping rod. Start by drilling a threaded hole into the workpiece. Apply just the right amount of pressure when appropriate and begin to slowly rotate the tapping tool. Rotate the tool in a specified clockwise or counterclockwise direction, usually first half a turn clockwise and then a quarter turn counterclockwise, to cut threads.