What Size Drill Bit

M3.5 x 0.6 tap drill size

2.9 mm

Inches
0.1142
Inch bit
#33
Thread
77%

Drill a 2.9 mm hole before cutting an M3.5 thread with 0.6 mm pitch. The rule for metric taps is diameter minus pitch.

2.9 mm 3.5 mm thread

No metric bits? A #33 bit (0.1130 in) gives about 81% thread.

M3.5 x 0.6 thread and hole sizes

ThreadM3.5, 0.6 mm pitch, coarse
Major diameter3.5 mm 0.1378 in
Tap drill2.9 mm 0.1142 in
Closest inch bit#33 0.1130 in
Clearance hole, close fit3.7 mm
Clearance hole, medium fit3.9 mm

Why 2.9 mm

Subtract the pitch from the diameter: 3.5 minus 0.6 is 2.9 mm. That leaves 77% thread, the usual target for a cut tap.

More thread than that adds almost no strength and makes the tap much easier to break. In hard or tough material, go 0.1 mm larger.

Tools for this job

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