Engineering questions?

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

Hey guys,

I’ve started to have more and more stuff fabricated, but am finding it hard to find a place where I can ask really basic questions.

Seems http://www.eng-tips.com/ is the "go to" forum, but I just find that place so daunting, the assumption on sigh-up alone is you’re a professional engineer, having to pick your field of expertise when registering !

Then, the forums are split into such esoteric fields it’s hard to know where to even ask!

I just want a simple forum where I can ask real basic questions like:
What size pilot and pass tough hole do I need for self-tapping screws Gauge Size/Metric Size:
No.2 2.2mm
No.4 2.9mm
No.6 3.5mm
No.7 3.9mm
No.8 4.2mm

2

A couple of handy references to have are 'Newnes Radio and Electronics Engineer's Pocket Book' and 'Zeus Precision Data Charts'.

3
4

OP is describing self-tapping screws which are a different kind of thread than a machine screw or bolt, etc.

http://www.ullrich.co.nz/fastenings/86_self_tapping_screws.php (also see other links on that page)

Looks like the answer is dependent on quite a few factors.