• Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
  • Community
Facebook Twitter Instagram
lets-do-diy.com
  • Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
  • Community
lets-do-diy.com
You are at:Home»Projects and advice»Drilling through steel or metal

Drilling through steel or metal

Summary: How to drill through steel, drill through other metals, what drill bit to use when drilling metal and what technique to use when drilling metal.


Drilling through metal isn’t the hardest job for a DIYer, though certain techniques will need to be applied and using the correct tools is a must. If you know the metal you want to drill through, then you can choose the right drill bit and technique required to make a successful hole.


Drilling metal

  • The most important thing is knowing what drill bit to use for the metal you want to drill through. For hard metals such as steel, you will need a hard bit. High speed steel (HSS) is a bit that is coated with aluminium nitride to toughen it. A cobalt bit is also good for drilling through steel. When drilling hard metals, do so slowly to avoid damaging the drill bit.
  • Softer metals such as aluminium, brass and copper only need a softer bit, but the speed at which you drill should be faster than that of hard metals otherwise metal shavings will build up and ruin the cut.
  • Measure where you want to make your hole and mark the spot. Using a nail, make a little indent in the metal where you made your mark. This will show more clearly where you want to drill, but also helps the drill bit grip when you first start to make the hole.
  • Secure the piece of metal you want to drill through using either a clamp or a vice. You will ideally need to use both hands when holding the drill, so be sure the metal is firmly in place where it will not be able to move.
  • Start drilling very steadily. You do not want to let the drill slip and slide as this will damage the surface of the metal. Once you have started to make a hole, employ the drilling technique correct to the type of metal you are working with.

Drilling through metal or steel video

Summary: DIY video showing you how to drill through metal or steel.

Before you drill metal you need to make sure you use the correct drill bit. Do not use a drill bit for wood, use a high speed steel (HSS) bit that is coated with aluminium nitride to toughen it or a cobalt bit. When drilling metal make sure you keep the drill bit cool. You can do this by using oil.

https://youtu.be/ozDJBKnGdYU

Related projects

  • Average cost of a driveway
  • Average cost of a greenhouse
  • Average cost of a shed
  • Average cost of block paving
  • Average cost of decking
  • Average cost of landscaping
  • Average cost of soil
  • Average cost of tree removal
  • Average cost to hire a mini digger
  • Average cost to lay turf
  • Average fence installation cost
  • Average patio cost
  • Building steps
  • Installing pond liners
  • Laying a patio
Recent Comments
  • Vic on Is Christmas a good time for DIY?
  • Anonymous on Average air source heat pump cost (2022)
  • Reggie on Prepare your home for moth season
Latest News
0

Potential DIY home improvement trends for 2023

1

Is Christmas a good time for DIY?

0

Design trends for 2022 and 2023

0

Product Review: Handsaws

Popular Guides

Average underfloor heating costs

Average cost to lay turf

Average cost of paint

Average basement cost

Popular Projects

Using a plane

Staircase repairs

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996

Changing water heater element

DIY Categories
Bathroom
Building, brickwork and masonry
Ceilings
Cleaning
Concrete work
Damp, rot and infestation
Drains
Electrical
Fireplaces
Floors
Garden
Heating
Insulation
Kitchen
Lighting
Lofts
Painting and decorating
Plasterwork
Plumbing
Roof and guttering
Safety
Security
Tiling
Walls
Windows
Woodwork

Self Build Guide
How to find a building plot
Evaluating a building plot (2023)
How to get a self build mortgage
Self build construction options
Self build architect and design considerations (2023)
Self build planning permission and legal consents
© 2023 lets do diy ltd | ebuild
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT