Of all the different materials that you may find yourself having to drill through, metal is easily one of the most daunting.
Metal just seems a lot more durable than other materials such as wood, and plastic, so it is understandable that you may find yourself putting off any jobs associated with drilling holes through metal.
However, once you know what you are doing, drilling through metal is easy.
As long as you have the right tools and the knowledge, then suddenly this daunting task will become a piece of cake.
With that in mind, in this guide, we’ll be taking a look at how to drill through metal. So, if you want to find out how to do this, keep on reading!
How To Drill Through Metal
With no further ado, let’s dive right in and take a look at how to drill metal.
If you want to do this, then this step-by-step guide will tell you everything that you need to know.
Step One – Choose The Right Drill Bit
When it comes to drilling through metal, the most important thing is having the right drill bit to help you.
As we mentioned earlier, metal is often incredibly strong, so if you are drilling through a thick and strong piece of metal, you will need a strong drill bit to penetrate it.
The right drill bit for the job will primarily depend on whether you are drilling into soft or thin metals. If you are drilling into a thick piece of metal, you will need a strong, big drill bit.
Alternatively, if you are drilling into a thin piece of metal, then a smaller drill bit will do the job.
The desired hole size will also impact which drill bit is best. Hole saws are best for drilling large holes in metal.
A regular shaped drill bit will work best for thick metal, but if you are drilling into a thin piece of metal, a cone-shaped bit would be better.
Step Two – Safety First
Next, you need to take steps to protect yourself. When drilling into metal, we would recommend wearing gloves and safety glasses. As you drill into the metal, metal shavings will break away.
These can be sharp and damaging, so we would recommend wearing gloves and safety glasses at all times to keep yourself safe.
Step Three – Secure The Metal
With your gloves and glasses on, you can then secure your metal in place. We would recommend using a clamp to do this as it will ensure that the metal does not move while you are drilling.
However, as well as using your clamp, you should also hold the metal in place with your spare hand if possible.
Top Tip: If the metal that you are drilling through is thin sheet metal, use plywood to wedge it into your clamp and make it secure.
Step Four – Mark Where You Want To Drill
Then you need to take your pencil and mark where you want to drill on the piece of metal. Use your measuring tape to measure until you find the exact point at which you want to drill.
Then use your pencil to mark this spot. We would recommend marking the spot with a “x” as a dot is sometimes difficult to see on metal.
Step Five – Make A Dent
While making a single mark on a piece of wood is enough to start drilling, when it comes to drilling metal, you need to complete an additional step.
That additional step is making a dent, also known as a pilot hole.
Making a dent is really simple. Simply take the pointed edge of a center punch and pop this on the “x”, then take a hammer and hit the center punch to create a dent.
This dent not only makes it easier to see where you need to drill, but it also helps prevent your drill from slipping while you are at work.
Step Six – Add Some Oil
Metal isn’t the easiest material to drill through, so adding a few drops of cutting oil can make a big difference.
Simply apply a small amount to the indentation, and drilling will become a lot easier.
Step Seven – Start Drilling
Finally, you are ready to start drilling. When it comes to drilling, the best method to use is to drill at a slow speed to avoid creating too much heat.
It might take a little longer to penetrate through all the metal, but this method significantly reduces the chance of anything going wrong.
Squeeze the trigger lightly and take your time. Don’t try to rush this step, take your time – you will thank yourself in the long run.
And just like that, your metal will be successfully drilled through.
Tips For Drilling Through Metal
Now that we have taken a look at our step to step guide of how to drill through metal, here are some quick and easy tips that will help make the drilling process easier.
We know that drilling through metal can be very daunting, so follow these steps for some extra support.
There Is No Need To Use Fancy Drill Bits
Lots of companies will try and up-sell you to purchase fancy drill bits that are specially designed for metal, but there really is no need to do this.
In our experience, regular drill bits work best when drilling through metal.
Start With A Small Hole
Instead of drilling through the metal all at once, we would recommend first starting with a small hole.
Once you have done this, it will be easier for your drill to grip. So make a small hole, take a short break, then go back and finish the job.
Use A Hole Saw For Bigger Holes
If you are looking to drill a hole that is bigger than 1-inch in size, we would recommend putting your drill to one side and using a hole saw instead.
This tool will be much better for the job than a drill, and it will give you a cleaner finish.
Summary
In short, in this guide we have taken a look at how to drill through metal, including a step-by-step guide.
Thank you for reading!