Drilling Hole In Sheet Metal

If you want small holes then this is a great method.

Drilling hole in sheet metal.

Then gradually start drilling larger holes. It may seem daunting at first something as simple as learning how to cut a hole in sheet metal can seem like a tall order. Do this till you get your required hole size. Since this is a small hole a normal drill bit will work well in the sheet metal without extra precautions.

But there are two main differences. Drilling into galvanized metal is no different than drilling a hole in standard carbon metal with the exception that the protective zinc coating does not protect the drilled hole. For the cleanest hole clamp a second piece on top of the metal making a sacrificial sandwich. Than drill a smaller hole to guide the final drill bit.

You set the drill bit in place push the button and press the bit into the material you re drilling. In essence drilling metal is no different than drilling wood. They re just the thing when you need a perfectly sized clean hole in a steel junction box electrical service panel or even a stainless steel sink. At first start by drilling a small diameter pilot hole.

To drill a round hole in thin sheet metal take a piece of cloth for example an corner of an old tea towel cut into squares an old flannel or anything you don t mind cutting into squares and throwing in the bin once you have your nice round hole. The diameter of this pilot hole should be slightly larger than the chisel length picture below of the final bit. For holes up to 19mmø i would suggest starting with a piece approximately 100mm 4. After you drill the hole it is possible to provide adequate corrosion protection for the drilled.

Step drill bits are designed to drill holes in sheet metal and other thin materials. When drilling thin sheet metal clamp the metal over a piece of sacrificial plywood or other flat sheet good like mdf or particleboard to help prevent the bit from tearing up the hole. This is the most straightforward option for drilling a round hole in sheet metals. A step drill bit for metal allows you to drill holes in a variety of diameters and some will drill through.

But this method is highly time consuming and boring. This can cause corrosion rust to form in and around the hole. Piercing cutting and drilling sheet metal is an integral part of metalsmithing. How to drill metal.