For an 8-32 machine screw, the recommended drill bit size to use when tapping a hole is a #29 drill bit, which has a diameter of approximately 0.136 inches. This size provides the correct pilot hole diameter to tap threads for an 8-32 screw properly.
In summary:
Screw size: 8-32 (where 8 is the screw size and 32 is the threads per inch)
Recommended drill bit: #29 drill bit
Drill bit diameter: ~0.136 inches
This is the standard tap drill size to ensure the threads cut correctly and the screw fits securely. Using a #29 drill bit is more precise than a 1/8" bit, which is slightly smaller, and larger bits like 3/16" are too big for an 8-32 screw.
