The average do-it-yourselfer hates to drill metal, especially steel. We don’t know how many questions readers have submitted and we’ve answered on that topic over the years. Even the most enthusiastic ...

Tapping screws form mating threads in materials they are driven into. There are two basic types: thread forming and thread cutting. The thread-forming screw displaced material around the pilot hole so ...

Twist drills do not make accurately sized or good finish holes; a reamer of some type is often used to cut the final size and finish. A reamer will not make the original hole; it will only enlarge a ...

The strength of some internal threads is more sensitive to tap diameter than previously thought. • Cold-formed threads are no stronger than cut threads when holes are correctly sized. • Cut threads ...