Hi all, as part of my project I need to install some motherboard standoffs in to a piece of perspex. I have never tapped before and have seen several kinda conflicting guides. Whats the correct drill bit size and tap size? Ive been told I would need a 6/32 tap?? unsure of the drill bit size...and any general tips would be great. Thanks in advance.
It is a 6/32 thread. You can get taps/dies/tools from here but you may be able to find them cheaper elsewhere. That's the total limit of my knowledge. I've just used the taps to 'refresh' screw holes.
Word of advice-be VERY careful and slow when working with brittle plastics like perspex, they like to crack and/or shatter.... Personally I'd advise drilling a clearance hole and finding a way to secure the threads into something metal, that's if you can get away with is aesthetically.
Get a scrap bit and try a few times to get the best combo of pilot hole ad tap technique. Different metals or plastics can tap differently so the small practice run is well worth the time. I've had good success in plastics by drilling a pilot hole and very gently screwing a standoff into that hole using a small socket.
You can chuck the tap into a drill and tap it that way. I do it all the time, even as close a .5mm from the edge.
Hi guys, I'm also doing the above. Could someone link me to the exact drill bit and tap I'll need. I'm an absolute novice and its all very confusing. I'm drilling into 1.2mm steel.
Model fixings do a set of 3 taps (Taper - second - bottom) M3 0.5 Set of 3 Taps + Drill MF-T30S3D £10.55 For tapping M3 I would use a 2.5mm drill bit (also available from modelfixings for 80p) Personally if I was going to be doing this I would buy the tap set and then a few extra drill bits. Tapping Info (taken from model fixings) Taper Tap This is the initial tap used to start the tapping process for a female thread. They have a long lead in of 7 to 10 threads. Also often referred to as '1st Tap'. For softer materials it is often possible to go straight to a second tap. Second Tap As the name suggests, this is used after the taper tap to produce the full thread in 'through holes' or 'blind' holes where the thread does not need to go close to the bottom of the hole. Sometimes referred to as 'intermediate taps' Bottom Tap Used where the thread is required to extend near to the bottom of a blind hole. Often termed a 'plug' tap in the UK. Simple Tapping Guide (taken and edited from ehow) Step 1 Drill the correct sized hole into the plastic to the right depth. Step 2 Place the end of the tap into the drilled hole, making sure it is 90 degrees to the surface of the plastic. Step 3 (important if you want a clean thread) Turn the tap handle slowly clockwise 1/4 turn. Then turn it counterclockwise--this is to remove plastic shavings. Turn the tap another clockwise 1/4 turn before turning it counterclockwise again. Continue in this fashion until the entire hole has been threaded. Finally, remove the tap by turning it counterclockwise and wipe away any plastic shavings from around the hole entrance. NB: For plastics lubrication is not essential but I would highly recommend using some! you can buy specialist tapping grease but WD40 works fairly well I've even heard of people using beeswax, olive oil or butter! PS, remember to clean your taps once you finish each thread, a firm tooth brush can be great for this. If tapping is not for you, it doesnt yeild the desiered result or you want something that will not wear out through intense usage then there is the option of threaded inserts These can be heated and then pressed into a pilot hole giving a secure long term fixing. Hope this helps you guys
