Drilling Hole In Sheet Metal

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

Drilling hole in sheet metal.

Since this is a small hole a normal drill bit will work well in the sheet metal without extra precautions. For holes up to 19mmø i would suggest starting with a piece approximately 100mm 4. Step drill bits are designed to drill holes in sheet metal and other thin materials. 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.

X research source for example if you want the hole to be 1 2 inch 1 3 cm at the end start by drilling a hole that s 1 4 inch 0 64 cm. After you drill the hole it is possible to provide adequate corrosion protection for the drilled. You start off by drilling a small diameter pilot hole and then drill gradually larger holes until you get. 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.

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. 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. 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.

The smaller drill bit puts less pressure on the metal and allows you to drill larger holes easier later on. The diameter of this pilot hole should be slightly larger than the chisel length picture below of the final bit. This can cause corrosion rust to form in and around the hole. Than drill a smaller hole to guide the final drill bit.