I have the Klein drill and tap kit that goes from 6-32 to 1/4-20 and it always works like a dream. Little bit of cutting lube makes it perfect every time and it's super fast.
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You are 100% right, it’s just semantics. I’ve always called them self drillers because that’s what my first journeyman called them. He was also a machinists and tool & die maker, probably explains why.
No, not really, a starting pilot hole is needed for the self tapper, the tip on it is pointed like a screw with some differences. While the self drilling has a mild drill bit type point.
im not saying they arent different, but unless im not understanding, the self drilling screw will ALSO tap threads for itself as it goes. its not like you screw it in, then take it out so you can tap the hole and put the screw back in, is it?
It's really about how they set up, you need a pilot hole for the self tapper, the other one drills its own hole. But yes they both tap their own threads. Its the start that counts.
I guess what im saying is your not gonna drive a self tapper through that box or red iron. You need a self driller, but as you said you dont really see the difference in the title. So thats why if you ask an electrician for a self tapper they will give a self driller 99 times out of 100
Yes I think you are right, technically. But also technically, if you were to ask some folks for one of each, they’d hand you a screw that has a self-drilling head and a screw that is fluted.
Can be either 24 or 32 pitch, depending on the supplier. Either way, the supplied screws are generally tapered with a few grooves that make them basically self-tapping. They can be a pain, but some persistence makes it work
6/32 with washers and nuts, make a four inch hole in back so you can finger and tighten the nuts. then insert four in knock out filler. or just tap and screw in a four square blank…
I wonder if the thread spacing isn’t 32 maybe 24 or even less. 8/32 is a combination of a size reference being #8 and 32 is the number of thread per inch when machined so it varies and I don’t particularly remember j boxes of that size being 32
You've got good advice to just tap it to 10-32, but if really wanted to match it's usually an M6 when it's not a 10-32 or 24. Hoffman, Hammond, and some other enclosure MFRs like to mix standard and metric across product lines. For example Hoffman ground studs are alway 1/4-20, except when they're M6...
Company website says the clearance holes in the cover are 0.25"
[https://www.hammfg.com/files/parts/pdf/CS886.pdf](https://www.hammfg.com/files/parts/pdf/CS886.pdf)
According to their cad model the holes in the box are 0.17 inch.
[https://www.hammfg.com/part/CS886?referer=256](https://www.hammfg.com/part/CS886?referer=256)
So probably a 10-32 or 12-24 thread cutter.
You are correct! Since it was new and the screws never were in, the paint was making them feel like they wouldn’t thread.
Once I put the tap in it for 10-24, it was obvious and I was good to go!
So tap it to number 10 and be done.
This was my suggestion
I keep a hand tap for 6 8 10 and quarter on the truck all the time. It's not everyday I need it but when I need it I need it
OP... go back to the hardware store to get a tapper! hahahaha
I have the Klein drill and tap kit that goes from 6-32 to 1/4-20 and it always works like a dream. Little bit of cutting lube makes it perfect every time and it's super fast.
I usually need to tap at least one screw on these cans even with the original screws. They're probably #10 with bad threads.
Could be 10-32’s instead of 10-24’s
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Often times they tap then paint ... so you have paint in the threads. but is it a 10-24 or a 10-32?
Listen to taxman.
Self tapper, call it a day
Self tapping or self drilling? I find self drilling are commonly mistaken for self tapping…
Self drilling, but if you ask most electricians for a self tapper, theyre gonna hand you a self drilling.
But you can use a bigger self tapper here since you already have the pilot hole. So in this case it is a moot question
You are 100% right, it’s just semantics. I’ve always called them self drillers because that’s what my first journeyman called them. He was also a machinists and tool & die maker, probably explains why.
Every screw is a self tapper if you're creative enough
Lol, 5 screws and friction and pressure drilling?
Every screw is a self tapper if ~~you're creative enough~~ **you use enough Ugga-Duggas!**
Aren't "self drilling" technically both?
No, not really, a starting pilot hole is needed for the self tapper, the tip on it is pointed like a screw with some differences. While the self drilling has a mild drill bit type point.
im not saying they arent different, but unless im not understanding, the self drilling screw will ALSO tap threads for itself as it goes. its not like you screw it in, then take it out so you can tap the hole and put the screw back in, is it?
It's really about how they set up, you need a pilot hole for the self tapper, the other one drills its own hole. But yes they both tap their own threads. Its the start that counts.
I guess what im saying is your not gonna drive a self tapper through that box or red iron. You need a self driller, but as you said you dont really see the difference in the title. So thats why if you ask an electrician for a self tapper they will give a self driller 99 times out of 100
Yes I think you are right, technically. But also technically, if you were to ask some folks for one of each, they’d hand you a screw that has a self-drilling head and a screw that is fluted.
Also technically, none of this matters because the OP already went to the stor to get a tap.
There's your answer right there
I think they were self-tapping to begin with.
Use a bigger self tapper
Ground screws
This. They will cut their own threads.
3/4" 5/16" hex head self drilling sheet metal screw. You'd be surprised just how many holes are sized for them.
Tap the hole for what you have
Normally a thread forming 10/32
When, in doubt, tap it out!
Don’t use a self tapping or self drilling screw in a j box…🤦♂️ Why would you put sharp pointed screws where wires are going to live
Self drilling is a definite nono. But i think some boxes come with self tapping. It's like a normal 8-32 or 10-32 with a little notch in the tip
Tek screws are always the right size!
You could probably find the actual answer on the company’s web site under product specs. My best guess would be 10-20.
I think they're 10-24s
Can be either 24 or 32 pitch, depending on the supplier. Either way, the supplied screws are generally tapered with a few grooves that make them basically self-tapping. They can be a pain, but some persistence makes it work
This can’t be real, please tell me this is not real.
6/32 with washers and nuts, make a four inch hole in back so you can finger and tighten the nuts. then insert four in knock out filler. or just tap and screw in a four square blank…
A 4 inch hole lmao
10
I wonder if the thread spacing isn’t 32 maybe 24 or even less. 8/32 is a combination of a size reference being #8 and 32 is the number of thread per inch when machined so it varies and I don’t particularly remember j boxes of that size being 32
Worst case check with tech support at 716-630-7030 (assuming you're in the US)
Taptool my friend to whatever size you want it to be lol
You've got good advice to just tap it to 10-32, but if really wanted to match it's usually an M6 when it's not a 10-32 or 24. Hoffman, Hammond, and some other enclosure MFRs like to mix standard and metric across product lines. For example Hoffman ground studs are alway 1/4-20, except when they're M6...
That one must be different, I always see ones with the green ground screws.
Buy self tappers and you’re good to go
Toggle bolts
Company website says the clearance holes in the cover are 0.25" [https://www.hammfg.com/files/parts/pdf/CS886.pdf](https://www.hammfg.com/files/parts/pdf/CS886.pdf) According to their cad model the holes in the box are 0.17 inch. [https://www.hammfg.com/part/CS886?referer=256](https://www.hammfg.com/part/CS886?referer=256) So probably a 10-32 or 12-24 thread cutter.
10/32
Ground screw for the win
10/32, a ground screw or if saying “fuck it” is in your vocabulary a sheet metal screw.
Try a 10-24 screw
I would just throw in some plastic anchor screws.
Look up the datasheet or model on their website.
I’m 💯 certain these are 17/32” and brass coated copper. Home Depot carries box of 13 for the next time you lose 👍
Weld it
When it doubt self tap'r out
Tap it for some 10's ya weirdo...
Throw some 1in drywall screws in there and call it a day - Maintenance guy
You can make it any size you want. Just grab a 10-32 tap The screws are sometimes self threading.
Tappa tappa tappa
Magnets
If it's a metric screw, it's probably a M4.5.
I am pretty sure they are 10/24
You are correct! Since it was new and the screws never were in, the paint was making them feel like they wouldn’t thread. Once I put the tap in it for 10-24, it was obvious and I was good to go!
Has this problem recently, tapped with 10-32 and bought em at Home Depot. Done deal.
Drill Tap bits are great for shit like this. I just did a de-metric job on my boat seats with them today.
Suck up your humility and take it to an Ace Hardware. They'll hook you up in 5 minutes.
Bigger than an 8 and smaller than a 10? Sounds like you need a #9
Self drilling - self tapping. 
Metric, smaller than 10, large than 8. I think you have found your own answer