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9/16-12 UNC Tap Drill Size

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

9/16-12 UNC tap drill — 75% thread 31/64 0.4844" · 12.2 mm metric equivalent

How it's calculated

Tap drill = major diameter − (0.01299 × %thread) / TPI  →  0.5625 − (0.01299 × 75) / 12 = 0.4813"

The nearest standard drill above that is 31/64 at 0.4844".

All engagement percentages

% threadExact hole Inch drill Metric equivalent
50%0.5084"33/64 (0.5156")12.9 mm
65%0.4921"31/64 (0.4844")12.5 mm
75%0.4813"31/64 (0.4844")12.2 mm
85%0.4705"15/32 (0.4688")12 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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