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#10-24 UNC Tap Drill Size

The number you came for, then the reasoning behind it.

#10-24 UNC tap drill — 75% thread #25 0.1495" · 3.8 mm metric equivalent

How it's calculated

Tap drill = major diameter − (0.01299 × %thread) / TPI  →  0.1900 − (0.01299 × 75) / 24 = 0.1494"

The nearest standard drill above that is #25 at 0.1495".

All engagement percentages

% threadExact hole Inch drill Metric equivalent
50%0.1629"#20 (0.1610")4.1 mm
65%0.1548"#23 (0.1540")3.9 mm
75%0.1494"#25 (0.1495")3.8 mm
85%0.1440"#27 (0.1440")3.7 mm
Which percentage should you actually use?
75% for through-holes in mild steel and aluminium. 65% for blind holes, stainless, titanium and anything where the tap is at risk. 50% for hand-tapping deep holes. The strength you give up going from 75% to 60% is around 5%; the tapping torque you give up is around 30%. In practice the threads almost never fail — the tap does.

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