How To Drill A Hole In Sheet Metal

With a small twist bit 1 16 in.

How to drill 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. To 3 16 in you can drill through most metals at 3 000 rpm. Your first step should always be to locate the centers of all the holes you will need to. The cloth prevents the drill bit to dig into the metal without the need of changing the rake angle.

If the point is even with the outer tips of the drill you cannot pick up you mark and the drill will walk around the surface as you try to drill the hole. In general it s a good idea to drill through metal using as slow a speed as possible using a drill bit for metal. Twist drills are great. It s not as effective but much simpler.

How to work with sheet metal step 1. Using a black marker pen mark where you want to start drilling. Make a dimple drill bits can be reluctant about metal. Always use a clamp or three.

The pilot hole will help you positioning the drill bit and than just drill as usual. 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. For the cleanest hole clamp a second piece on top of the metal making a sacrificial sandwich. A point at the end of the drill to place in your center punch mark to start.

Never ever hold a sheet metal workpiece in your hands when drilling and always. The scallop you see on the right side of the drill in these views is the relief angle that must be. You ll need to start by securing your metal sheet in place before. Hard metals like steel and larger drill bits require even slower speeds.

Drill a small pilot hole in the required location 3mmø with the drill spindle stopped locate the folded cloth centrally over the hole and fit the large diameter drill to the machine no need to use further pilot holes if you use the correct speeds and feeds.