General Overview

A tapped hole is a drilled hole that has internal threads cut into it so a screw or bolt can be directly threaded into the material without using a nut.

How It Works

1. A hole is drilled to a specific size (called a tap drill size)
2. A tool called a tap is used to cut threads inside the hole
3. A screw or bolt can then be threaded directly into the material

Why FRC Teams Use Tapped Holes

Tapped holes are useful because they:

• Eliminate the need for a nut on the back side
• Save space in tight assemblies
• Reduce part count
• Allow clean, compact mounting points

Common Applications

• Mounting sensors
• Attaching small brackets
• Light structural connections
• Situations where access to the back side is impossible

Limitations

• Threads can strip if over-tightened
• Not as strong as bolt-and-nut connections in high-load areas
• Requires correct drill size and careful tapping

Best Practice

• Always use the correct tap drill size
• Start tapping slowly and keep it straight
• Use cutting fluid when possible
• Avoid over-tightening screws in aluminum

Key Idea

A tapped hole allows a screw to thread directly into a material, making it useful for compact and lightweight FRC designs, but it must be used carefully to avoid stripping threads.