How to Create a Counterbore Hole in FreeCAD

Creating a counterbore hole in FreeCAD is a straightforward process using the Part Design workbench. This guide covers how to set up your target geometry with a sketch point, open the dedicated Hole tool, configure counterbore specifications such as diameter and depth, and finalize the parametric feature on your 3D model.

1. Create the Placement Sketch

  1. Switch to the Part Design workbench.
  2. Ensure your model is an active Body.
  3. Select the flat face of your solid where you want the hole to be placed.
  4. Click Create Sketch.
  5. Place a point using the Create point tool (or sketch a circle) at the desired hole location.
  6. Apply constraints to position the point accurately relative to the geometry.
  7. Click Close to exit the Sketcher.

2. Activate the Hole Tool

  1. In the tree view or 3D view, ensure your placement sketch is selected.
  2. In the toolbar or the Part Design menu, click the Hole feature icon.
  3. FreeCAD will generate a default hole and open the Hole parameters panel in the Tasks tab on the left.

3. Configure the Counterbore Profile

  1. Locate the Hole Cut dropdown menu (typically set to None by default).
  2. Change this setting to Counterbore.
  3. Set your primary hole dimensions:
    • Diameter: Enter the diameter for the through-hole or pilot hole.
    • Depth: Choose Through all for a complete pass-through, or select Dimension to specify a blind hole depth.
  4. Set the counterbore parameters:
    • Counterbore diameter: Enter the outer diameter required to accommodate the screw head.
    • Counterbore depth: Enter the depth the screw head should sit below the surface.

4. Review and Apply

  1. Check the 3D viewport to ensure the hole orientation and sizing match your design intent. If the hole is projecting in the wrong direction, toggle the Reversed checkbox.
  2. Click OK in the Tasks panel to complete the feature.