M5 too here.

The first of a set of 20mm hiwin X axis rails takes a lot of time to line up to what ever straight reference.
I checked 100 times before drilling the first holes.


After squaring up the gantry to the first rail, the second rail (X) wend a lot faster using the gantry as a guide for the second rail relative distance.



I clamped down using 3 clamps before pre drilling 3 holes over 1830 mm span, ends and middle, with a 5.9mm drill, to remove epoxy and centre drilling a centre hole for 4.2 mm drill.


I have a well balanced, old :-) battery drill.
Its easy to keep vertical 90 degrees to the surface and used no other tools.

I used the 6mm hole from the rail for a guide icm with the 5.9 epoxy removal / pre centre drill and drilled 4.2 and tapped all m5 free hand with the battery drill.


Bought 2 machine taps m5 and 5 4.2 drills from toolstation (volkel) did about 100 holes in 4mm steel with 1 drill 4.2mm (ground hss) and 1 tap and still going strong.


Just use oil on drill and tap, and vacuum clean all holes before tapping.


I have had no problems with off centre holes or problems tapping the treads.


After tapping there is some wiggle room but not a lot about 0.5mm ...


After torqueing down the m5 i have had no binding trouble in the carriages.


Hope this helps.

Grtz Bert




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