Tap drill still follows the 75% workshop rule (major − pitch). BSF is not interchangeable with BSW or with UNF of a similar major diameter — the angle is 55°, and the TPI set is its own. Confirm BSF vs BSW on the print.
Common metric tap drills: M3 tap drill size · M6 tap drill 5.0 mm · M8 tap drill size · M10 tap drill 8.5 mm · M12 tap drill 10.2 mm · M24 tap drill 21.0 mm.
| Size | TPI | Tap drill | Clearance (normal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 BSF | 26 | 5.4 mm (0.2126 in) | 7.1 mm |
| 5/16 BSF | 22 | 6.8 mm (0.2677 in) | 8.7 mm |
| 3/8 BSF | 20 | 8.3 mm (0.3268 in) | 10.4 mm |
| 1/2 BSF | 16 | 11.1 mm (0.437 in) | 13.7 mm |
| 5/8 BSF | 14 | 14.1 mm (0.5551 in) | 17.1 mm |
| 3/4 BSF | 12 | 16.9 mm (0.6654 in) | 20.4 mm |
| 1 BSF | 10 | 22.9 mm (0.9016 in) | 27.1 mm |
How we use this in the toolroom
BSF turns up on older British and Commonwealth spindles the same way UNF does on US kit. We do not tap BSF with a BSW tap or with a metric fine of the same major diameter.
Accurate Industries in Pune still looks these sizes up the same way: tap drill ≈ major − pitch, then a clearance hole for the bolt. AlwaysReach is that chart in the browser — our story.
Full metric and imperial lookup lives on the thread & tap drill calculator. After tapping, check a locational bore on the ISO tolerance calculator. Other pages: M8 × 1.25, M10 × 1.5, M12 × 1.75, M6 × 1, M16 × 2, M4 × 0.7, M5 × 0.8, 1/4-20 UNC, M3 × 0.5, M20 × 2.5, M24 × 3, 5/16-18 UNC, 3/8-16 UNC, 1/2-13 UNC, UNC chart, UNF chart, BSW chart, UNEF chart.