{
 "version": "2026-10-20",
 "license": "Dimension sheets are written by Xem Studio from the cited sources and are free to use (CC BY 4.0, attribute 'Xem Studio'). Linked files belong to their publishers under the license shown; Xem Studio does not host them. 'license_verified: false' means the license shown is from memory or the publisher's page as last read and should be confirmed at the link before commercial use.",
 "slug": "heat-set-inserts",
 "name": "Heat-set threaded inserts, M2–M6 (for 3D prints)",
 "kind": "hardware",
 "category": "Hardware",
 "group": "Fasteners",
 "year": null,
 "question": "What hole size do M3 heat-set inserts need in a 3D print?",
 "tags": [
  "insert",
  "threaded insert",
  "fastener",
  "3d printing",
  "stirling",
  "long earth society"
 ],
 "aliases": [
  "heat set insert",
  "heat-set insert",
  "brass insert",
  "m3 insert",
  "ruthex",
  "cnc kitchen insert"
 ],
 "overall_mm": {
  "length": null,
  "width": null,
  "height": null
 },
 "official_cad": false,
 "xem_status": "free-files",
 "les": true,
 "free_files": 6,
 "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/heat-set-inserts/",
 "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/heat-set-inserts/sheet.txt",
 "sheet": {
  "basis": "vendor data (CNC Kitchen, ruthex, McMaster tapered inserts); typical values",
  "overall_mm": {
   "length": null,
   "width": null,
   "height": null
  },
  "notes": [
   "Hole diameter is set by the insert's knurl OD, not the thread; print the hole as listed and give 1 mm of extra depth under the insert for displaced plastic.",
   "Boss wall: at least 2 mm around the insert; 3 mm for M5+.",
   "Values differ slightly by brand; the table is the common 'short' size for each thread."
  ],
  "table": {
   "columns": [
    "thread",
    "insert_od_mm",
    "insert_length_mm",
    "print_hole_mm",
    "min_depth_mm"
   ],
   "rows": [
    [
     "M2",
     3.2,
     4,
     3,
     5
    ],
    [
     "M2.5",
     3.5,
     4,
     3.3,
     5
    ],
    [
     "M3",
     4,
     5.7,
     4,
     6.7
    ],
    [
     "M4",
     5.6,
     8.1,
     5.6,
     9.1
    ],
    [
     "M5",
     6.4,
     9.5,
     6.4,
     10.5
    ],
    [
     "M6",
     8,
     12.7,
     8,
     13.7
    ]
   ]
  }
 },
 "sheet_text": "Heat-set threaded inserts, M2–M6 (for 3D prints) — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/heat-set-inserts/  (CC BY 4.0)\nBasis: vendor data (CNC Kitchen, ruthex, McMaster tapered inserts); typical values\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nSizes: see table below\n- Hole diameter is set by the insert's knurl OD, not the thread; print the hole as listed and give 1 mm of extra depth under the insert for displaced plastic.\n- Boss wall: at least 2 mm around the insert; 3 mm for M5+.\n- Values differ slightly by brand; the table is the common 'short' size for each thread.\n\nthread  insert_od_mm  insert_length_mm  print_hole_mm  min_depth_mm\nM2  3.2  4  3.0  5\nM2.5  3.5  4  3.3  5\nM3  4.0  5.7  4.0  6.7\nM4  5.6  8.1  5.6  9.1\nM5  6.4  9.5  6.4  10.5\nM6  8.0  12.7  8.0  13.7\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- McMaster-Carr: Heat-set inserts for plastic (free STEP/IGES/STL per part, for your own design use; no redistribution) — STEP, IGES, STL, PDF — McMaster-Carr site terms: personal design use, no redistribution [verify license at link] — https://www.mcmaster.com/products/heat-set-inserts/\n- CNC Kitchen: Threaded inserts, hole size recommendations — web — vendor page [verify license at link] — https://cnckitchen.store/products/heat-set-insert-m3-x-5-7-100-pieces\n\nFree files (CC BY 4.0, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 6 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/index.json\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=heat-set-inserts\n",
 "sources": [
  {
   "publisher": "McMaster-Carr",
   "title": "Heat-set inserts for plastic (free STEP/IGES/STL per part, for your own design use; no redistribution)",
   "url": "https://www.mcmaster.com/products/heat-set-inserts/",
   "formats": [
    "STEP",
    "IGES",
    "STL",
    "PDF"
   ],
   "license": "McMaster-Carr site terms: personal design use, no redistribution",
   "license_verified": false,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "CNC Kitchen",
   "title": "Threaded inserts, hole size recommendations",
   "url": "https://cnckitchen.store/products/heat-set-insert-m3-x-5-7-100-pieces",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "vendor page",
   "license_verified": false,
   "hosted": false
  }
 ],
 "xem": {
  "status": "free-files",
  "sheet_free": true,
  "mesh_price_usd": null,
  "step_price_usd": null,
  "tolerance_mm": null
 },
 "related": [
  "socket-head-cap-screws-metric",
  "threaded-standoffs-metric",
  "neodymium-disc-magnets"
 ],
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "What hole size for an M3 heat-set insert?",
   "a": "4.0 mm diameter, at least 6.7 mm deep for the common 5.7 mm long insert (knurl OD 4.0 mm). Give 1 mm extra depth for displaced plastic and 2 mm of wall around it."
  },
  {
   "q": "What hole size for M2, M2.5, M4 and M5 heat-set inserts?",
   "a": "M2: 3.0 mm hole. M2.5: 3.3 mm. M4: 5.6 mm. M5: 6.4 mm. Depths 5–9.5 mm; check the brand's knurl OD, which sets the hole, not the thread."
  },
  {
   "q": "How hot should the soldering iron be for heat-set inserts?",
   "a": "About 200–230 °C for PLA and PETG, 250 °C for ABS/ASA. Press straight and slow, stop flush, and let it cool before loading."
  }
 ],
 "files_license": null,
 "offers": [
  {
   "file": "insert-m2",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/insert-m2.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/insert-m2.stl",
   "note": "M2 insert envelope Ø3.2 × 4.0 (knurl not modeled)"
  },
  {
   "file": "insert-m2.5",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/insert-m2.5.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/insert-m2.5.stl",
   "note": "M2.5 insert envelope Ø3.5 × 4.0 (knurl not modeled)"
  },
  {
   "file": "insert-m3",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/insert-m3.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/insert-m3.stl",
   "note": "M3 insert envelope Ø4.0 × 5.7 (knurl not modeled)"
  },
  {
   "file": "insert-m4",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/insert-m4.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/insert-m4.stl",
   "note": "M4 insert envelope Ø5.6 × 8.1 (knurl not modeled)"
  },
  {
   "file": "insert-m5",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/insert-m5.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/insert-m5.stl",
   "note": "M5 insert envelope Ø6.4 × 9.5 (knurl not modeled)"
  },
  {
   "file": "insert-m6",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/insert-m6.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/heat-set-inserts/insert-m6.stl",
   "note": "M6 insert envelope Ø8.0 × 12.7 (knurl not modeled)"
  }
 ],
 "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/heat-set-inserts/index.md"
}