How To Countersink A Screw

This step-by-step guide will provide the best professional tips, advice and guidance in countersinking a screw using a cone shaped countersink tool.

This blog demonstrates two methods of Countersinking using 90° Angled Cone Shaped Countersinks, Thread Cutting Tap & Die Tools and Twist Drill Bits. The first method will demonstrate using Machine Taps, whilst the second will focus on the use of Hand Taps.

Before undertaking any form of Countersinking, we recommend that appropriate Safety Equipmnt and PPE is used. RUKO UK supplies a range of Panther PPE Products, check out our full PPE Catalogue here.

To Countersink a screw in stainless steel with Machine Tap(s), follow the steps below:

1. Ensure you have the following tools: HSS Twist Drill Bit - Ideally suited for drilling through Stainless-Steel, Countersink for Stainless-Steel, Machine Tap for Stainless-Steel and PPE & Safety Equipment.
2. Using the HSS Twist Drill Bit, drill a core hole into the Stainless-Steel Material.
3. Now use the Countersink Tool to countersink the newly formed core hole. This helps to facilitate the entry of the Machine Tap whilst also removing burr. You can learn more about Deburring here.
4. Once the Countersink has been retracted, insert the Machine Tap into the hole (in a clockwise rotation).
5. Switch the machine to a counterclockwise rotation to retract the tap. The drill will then retract by itself. DO NOT pull by hand!
6. Countersink the maximum diameter of the surface of the hole re-using the countersink tool.
7. Finally, screw in the screw.

Or check out our YouTube video below:

To Countersink a screw in structural steel with Hand Tap(s), follow the steps below:

1. Ensure you have the following tools: HSS Twist Drill Bit - Ideally suited for drilling through Stainless Steel, Countersink for Structural Steel, Single Cut Hand Tap, Tap Wrench and PPE & Safety Equipment.
2. Using the HSS Twist Drill Bit, drill a core hole into the Steel Material.
3. Now use the Countersink Tool to countersink the newly formed core hole. This helps to facilitate the entry of the Hand Tap whilst also removing burr. You can learn more about Deburring here.
4. Clamp the Hand Tap into the Tap Wrench
   
   
   
   
5. Using the Hand Tap (now held by the clamp), cut an internal thread by rotating the tap into the surface material in a clockwise motion. Continue this rotation until the Tap is halfway into the material. Once halfway, DO NOT REMOVE THE TAP and proceed to the next step.
   
   
   
   
6. Check the angle to ensure secure straight cutting. Please Note - This may require an Engineers Square.
7. Resume rotation of the Tap to achieve the full internal thread creation. Once this is achieved, you may remove the Tap from the surface material and the newly formed hole.
8. Countersink the maximum diameter of the surface of the hole re-using the countersink tool.
9. Finally, screw in the screw.

Or check out our YouTube video below:

RUKO UK offers a variety of different Countersink Products from RUKO and TERRAX by RUKO with Free Next Working Day Delivery when you spend £50 or more online!

For more information and guidance on Thread Cutting with either Hand Taps or Machine Taps, then please feel free to browse our blog posts below:

• How To Cut A Thread by Machine
• How To Cut A Thread by Hand

We also provide a helpful guide on how to countersink a countersunk screw, which is available to view here.