Drilling A Hole In Sheet Metal

Piercing cutting and drilling sheet metal is an integral part of metalsmithing.

Drilling a hole in sheet metal.

Since this is a small hole a normal drill bit will work well in the sheet metal without extra precautions. 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. Drilling a hole in sheet metal with a twist drill is a rather straightforward operation. The diameter of this pilot hole should be slightly larger than the chisel length picture below of the final bit.

The center is about half way through the 050 thickness with the point already through the material. This can cause corrosion rust to form in and around the hole. For holes up to 19mmø i would suggest starting with a piece approximately 100mm 4. For the cleanest hole clamp a second piece on top of the metal making a sacrificial sandwich.

The right shows the finished hole. You start off by drilling a small diameter pilot hole and then drill gradually larger holes until you get. Sheet metal drills a pdf test drill a hole. Step drill bits are designed to drill holes in sheet metal and other thin materials.

A step drill bit for metal allows you to drill holes in a variety of diameters and some will drill through. 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. Than drill a smaller hole to guide the final drill bit. 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.

At the lower right. After you drill the hole it is possible to provide adequate corrosion protection for the drilled. But once you get to know the tools whatever your budget and how to use them you can start creating holes in sheet metal quickly and accurately. 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 extremely versatile and useful mag drill. 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.