The short answer
On plate and housing RFQs, a **blind-hole depth and drill-point note** is not the same as choosing [blind versus through holes](https://3dwk.com/resources/blind-vs-through-holes-cnc-rfq-notes), a [blind tapped-hole depth stack](https://3dwk.com/resources/thread-depth-callouts-blind-tapped-holes-cnc), or a general hole diameter. The useful depth of a drilled blind hole is the full-diameter cylinder; the drill point adds a cone beyond that cylinder. Silence on whether a stated depth is full diameter or includes the point, on the point angle if it matters, and on how close the point may come to a far face, is what widens many [quote-new.php](https://3dwk.com/quote-new.php) **rates.v1.1** estimate bands—not the extra seconds of a peck cycle alone.
This guide is for buyers packaging aluminum RFQs where CAD or a PDF shows a blind drilled hole with one depth value and no full-diameter versus point distinction. Illustrations use an **Example part** only—not a customer plate. Sibling notes live in the blind-versus-through and tapped-depth guides; here we focus on **plain-hole drill-point packaging** so estimators do not have to guess whether an 8 mm “deep 16” hole must be a 16 mm cylinder or a 16 mm overall including the point.
What full-diameter depth means for quoting
**Full-diameter depth** is the length over which the hole holds the named diameter. **Point depth** (or overall drill depth) includes the conical tip. A 118° point on an Ø8 hole consumes roughly 0.3 × diameter of extra axial length; writing only “DEEP 16” leaves two different cylinders. Process pages for automation aluminum ([CNC 3-axis Al 6061 automation](https://3dwk.com/en/cnc-3axis/al-6061/automation.html), [CNC 5-axis Al 6061 automation](https://3dwk.com/en/cnc-5axis/al-6061/automation.html), [CNC 3-axis Al 6061](https://3dwk.com/en/cnc-3axis/al-6061.html)) assume full-diameter and point notes when lots mix dowel bores, clearance holes, and near-breakthrough drills.
Do not bury “drill deep enough” inside a notes cloud. Put **Ø8 BLIND HOLE A, FULL-DIA DEPTH 16, 118° POINT OK, POINT MUST NOT BREAK FACE B (MIN REMAINING 1.5)** on the PDF and mirror it in RFQ text. Background: [DFM checklist before an online CNC quote](https://3dwk.com/resources/dfm-checklist-before-online-cnc-quote), [what files to send for a CNC quote](https://3dwk.com/resources/what-files-to-send-for-cnc-quote), [minimum hole-to-edge distance](https://3dwk.com/resources/minimum-hole-to-edge-distance-dfm-cnc-plates).
Point angle, remaining wall, and flat bottoms
A 118° general-purpose point and a 135° split point leave different cones; neither is a flat bottom. If a spring, a pin, or a plug needs a cylindrical seat all the way to a depth, say **FULL-DIA DEPTH** and whether a flat-bottom mill or a spotface is required after the drill. [Reaming vs boring for hole size](https://3dwk.com/resources/reaming-vs-boring-cnc-hole-size) still needs a named usable cylinder; [deep-hole and gun-drilling](https://3dwk.com/resources/deep-hole-drilling-gun-drilling-cnc) notes apply when L/D grows, but they do not replace a point callout.
Aluminum 6061 plate $/kg planning bands sit in the mid-commodity range under **rates.v1.1** material tables; material cost is rarely the depth story—break-through risk, unused cone, and extra mill time for a flat floor are.
Threads, inserts, and leftover floors
If the hole will later be tapped or fitted with an insert, use the sibling [thread-depth stack](https://3dwk.com/resources/thread-depth-callouts-blind-tapped-holes-cnc) and still name the unused floor under the point. A drill that is allowed to come within 0.5 mm of the far face needs that remaining wall written, especially on thin plates. Do not assume the shop will “just be careful.”
Tolerance and inspection traps
Calling “deep 16” without full-diameter versus point, mixing a tight depth tolerance with a default drill point, or asking for 100% section checks of every cone, all force **needs_manual**. Default non-critical clearance holes to a generous overall depth and put a functional full-diameter depth only on seats, press lengths, or near-breakthrough holes. Related: [ISO 2768 general tolerances on CNC RFQs](https://3dwk.com/resources/iso-2768-general-tolerances-cnc-rfq), [counterbore vs countersink vs spotface](https://3dwk.com/resources/counterbore-countersink-spotface-cnc-bolted-joints).
Illustration 1 shows an **Example part** plate with a labeled 16 mm full-diameter depth and an allowed 118° point versus a nearby hole that must keep 1.5 mm of remaining wall to face B.
Example part walkthrough
**Example part:** Aluminum 6061-T6 plate ~120 × 80 × 20 mm, Ø8 clearance hole with 16 mm full-diameter depth and 118° point allowed, second Ø6 hole with overall depth including point and 1.5 mm minimum remaining wall to face B, ISO 2768-m general. With STEP + **HOLE A Ø8 FULL-DIA DEPTH 16, 118° POINT OK; HOLE B Ø6 OVERALL INCL. POINT, MIN REMAINING 1.5 TO FACE B**, expect a usable automatic planning band on [quote-new.php](https://3dwk.com/quote-new.php). Same geometry with silent CAD and “drill 16 deep” often lands DFM notes or **needs_manual**—without inventing any customer PO.
Illustration 2 contrasts a vague RFQ (“blind holes, drill to depth”) versus a labeled full-diameter and remaining-wall pack and the clearer estimate path.
What widens bands fastest
Unlabeled mix of seat holes and clearance holes sharing one depth note, points that would break a far face, flat-bottom needs left unspoken, and 100% inspection of every cone. Quantity breaks help unit minutes but do not erase depth ambiguity—see [how quantity breaks change CNC unit cost](https://3dwk.com/resources/how-quantity-breaks-change-cnc-unit-cost) and [what needs_manual means](https://3dwk.com/resources/what-needs-manual-means-preliminary-quote).
What to do next
Mark each functional blind drill with a **full-diameter depth or an overall-including-point depth**, plus remaining wall if the point is close to a far face, then upload on [quote-new.php](https://3dwk.com/quote-new.php). Service pages: [CNC machining](https://3dwk.com/cnc-machining-service.php), [materials](https://3dwk.com/materials.php). Treat **rates.v1.1** min/mid/max as estimates, not invoices. If the UI shows **needs_manual**, answer the depth-and-point questions rather than forcing a fake price.
Common questions
Is “DEEP 16” always full-diameter depth?
Not as a silent default under **rates.v1.1** estimates. Many drawings use one depth for overall drill travel, including the point. If a pin or plug needs 16 mm of cylinder, write **FULL-DIA DEPTH 16** and say whether the point may continue beyond that.
Can I write “do not break through” and leave the depth as-is?
Only if the leftover wall under the point is already generous in every view. A 0.8 mm remaining floor under an Ø8 drill is not rescued by a notes cloud. Update the depth or add a minimum remaining wall so the shop and the estimate see the same intent.
When should I mill a flat bottom instead of leaving the drill point?
When a spring, a pipe plug, a pin, or a trapped volume needs a cylindrical seat or a known floor, or when the leftover cone would steal needed depth. A flat-bottom or [spotface](https://3dwk.com/resources/counterbore-countersink-spotface-cnc-bolted-joints) note is cleaner than hoping a 118° point will “act flat.”
How should I treat a hole that will later be tapped?
Use the [blind tapped-hole depth](https://3dwk.com/resources/thread-depth-callouts-blind-tapped-holes-cnc) stack for usable thread, tap drill, and floor clearance, and still name the point or remaining wall. A single “deep 16” note does not cover both the thread and the cone.