Universal drill size

[alparent]

I started etching PCB's for other people and I'm looking into getting some done by a prof. PCB fab. service.

What just wondering what other are using as drill size? Don't want my clients to have to re-drill boards I send them but I don't want part floating around in the holes!

I know a lot of other are doing this what are your standards?

I'm also ordering some carbon bits and want to get the right size bits (HSS just isn't cutting it for me!)

Yes I did use the search......but didn't find a definitive answer.

Thanks

[Minion]

The size will depend on the components lead thickness ....... 1n4007 diodes have thicker leads than 1/4w resistors and bigger caps will generally have thicker leads than small caps .......
The size I use most often is 0.5mm which will accomodate most 1/4w resistors and smaller caps and even opamps and transistors...... I would suggests getting a few different sizes between 0.25mm and 1mm then mapping out what sizes you are going to need for each component on the PCB ......

Cheers

[davent]

For drill bits i use a #71 (0.026" very thin and fragile)  for most of the parts used in pedal building, that covers the 1/4w resistors, transistors, caps, small diodes, IC sockets etc. For the 1N400X diodes and 22awg wire i enlarge the holes with a #65 (0.035") bit.

dave