Drill Bits - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

lclark · 10th June 2008, 11:27 PM

What is the best size drill bit for regular hole through components...common resistors, IC sockets, and such? Thanks in advance!

mneary · 10th June 2008, 11:38 PM

I use mostly .024" (#73) for most parts. If the layout is tight, and a part has really small leads I might go down to 0.018" (#77) but this is a pretty delicate drill. Sometimes a part has larger than normal leads so I keep a few larger drills all the way up to 0.0465" (#56).

**3v0** · 10th June 2008, 11:43 PM

Ditto. I drill all my holes with a .024" bit. It is a bit sloppy for fine leads but still works. It is a tight fit for .1 pin headers but they go in. If in need a few larger holes I enlarge them with a bit in a pin vice or exato knife handle.

lclark · 10th June 2008, 11:44 PM

Thank you!

Mikebits · 10th June 2008, 11:45 PM

I always break those little suckers. So my default is #53 drill.

**3v0** · 10th June 2008, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikebits

I always break those little suckers. So my default is #53 drill.

Are you using a drill press or drill stand? They help a lot. Also if you can get non carbide bits they have a bit of flex in them.

mneary · 10th June 2008, 11:49 PM

I tend to avoid anything as large as #53 because it's hard to get a good tent of solder between a .020" wire and a 0.059" hole.

tonigau · 11th June 2008, 03:34 AM

On Boards that I used to make & those that I contract out, I used a 0.8mm(31.496mil) hole for most parts (0.6w resistor, caps, 1n4148 etc) & 1mm (39.37mil) for (4004 diodes, 1W zeners etc..)

This always leaves plenty of room for consistent solder wicking to the top side pad.
However there are instances where I will make a hole a tight fit eg: single sided board & mechanically stressed (heavy) part, the close tolerance hole takes the stress away from the solder join.

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10th June 2008, 11:27 PM	(permalink)
lclark	Drill Bits What is the best size drill bit for regular hole through components...common resistors, IC sockets, and such? Thanks in advance!

10th June 2008, 11:38 PM	(permalink)
mneary	I use mostly .024" (#73) for most parts. If the layout is tight, and a part has really small leads I might go down to 0.018" (#77) but this is a pretty delicate drill. Sometimes a part has larger than normal leads so I keep a few larger drills all the way up to 0.0465" (#56).

10th June 2008, 11:43 PM	(permalink)
3v0	Ditto. I drill all my holes with a .024" bit. It is a bit sloppy for fine leads but still works. It is a tight fit for .1 pin headers but they go in. If in need a few larger holes I enlarge them with a bit in a pin vice or exato knife handle. __________________ search engine for electronic parts Junebug USB PIC programmer kit., USB Bit Wacker, 3v0's Homepage The 15 Minute Printed Circuit Board! (+drill time)

10th June 2008, 11:45 PM	(permalink)
Mikebits	I always break those little suckers. So my default is #53 drill.

10th June 2008, 11:49 PM	(permalink)
mneary	I tend to avoid anything as large as #53 because it's hard to get a good tent of solder between a .020" wire and a 0.059" hole.

11th June 2008, 03:34 AM	(permalink)
tonigau	On Boards that I used to make & those that I contract out, I used a 0.8mm(31.496mil) hole for most parts (0.6w resistor, caps, 1n4148 etc) & 1mm (39.37mil) for (4004 diodes, 1W zeners etc..) This always leaves plenty of room for consistent solder wicking to the top side pad. However there are instances where I will make a hole a tight fit eg: single sided board & mechanically stressed (heavy) part, the close tolerance hole takes the stress away from the solder join.