Steel is a metal that is often used for various things, such as equipment, architecture, or even decoration. On some projects, you may have to punch holes in the steel for the desired purpose. If you use the right tools, prepare the steel well, and drill smaller holes, you can easily use the drill to drill holes in any steel you want.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Marking Steel
Step 1. Clamp the steel on the work surface if the object is light
Clamp with plastic clamps or metal C clamps. Tighten the clamps or vise on the workbench so that the steel is secure and does not shift when you drill. If the clamp is loose, the steel may twist around the drill and cause injury.
- To handle heavy steel, you don't need to use tongs.
- If drilling on a painted surface, place a wedge or paint stir stick between the clamp and the steel sheet to prevent the paint on the metal from scratching.
Step 2. Mark the point you want to drill with a pencil
Measure the spot on the steel you want to punch holes in. Consider the diameter of the drill bit when you place the holes. Dot the steel using a pencil to mark the center of the hole.
Use a permanent marker if the pencil is not visible on the steel surface
Step 3. Make indentations in the steel using a hammer and a center punch
Place the tip of the hole punch at the mark you made on the steel surface. Gently tap the punch tool with a hammer to make small indentations. This will help keep the drill from shifting from that point when you drill the hole.
If you don't have a hole punch, you can use nails
Part 2 of 4: Selecting and Lubricating Drill Bits
Step 1. Use a sharp drill bit
If you only want to make a few holes, you can use a regular steel drill bit at high speed. If you want to drill a lot of holes, or if the steel you're working with is hardened (hardened), it's a good idea to use a black oxide or cobalt steel drill bit.
- Most drill bits are sold in a set of various sizes.
- If the drill bit is dull, you can easily sharpen it yourself.
Step 2. Use a drill bit with a diameter of half the desired size
Attach the drill bit to the drill machine and tighten it so that it sticks firmly. The small drill bit puts only a small amount of pressure on the metal so you can easily make larger holes later.
For example, if you want to make a 1 cm hole, start with a 0.5 cm drill bit
Step 3. Use a sit-down drill (drill press) to work with large pieces of steel
The sit drill is a powerful machine so the drill bit can penetrate steel very accurately. Look for a repair shop around the house that has a sit drill you can use, or buy a sit drill yourself.
- There are 2 types of seated drills that can be purchased. Choose a tabletop drill to handle small objects and is suitable for placing on a workbench. Use a floor sit drill if you often work with large pieces of steel.
- If you have a metalworking service business, consider purchasing a seated drill machine for more accurate results.
Step 4. Use 30 weight oil and water in a spray bottle or lubricating oil for the drill bit
Products such as WD-40 are commonly used to remove rust on bolts. Apply lubricant to the tip of the drill bit and the steel sheet you want to punch holes in. This is useful for protecting metal and drill bits to get a smooth and smooth finish.
- Spray the steel surface periodically as you drill to keep it wet and reduce friction.
- Look for a 3-in-1 grease that has an automatic spray so that the drill bit will stay lubricated while you use it.
Part 3 of 4: Making Guide Holes
Step 1. Wear protective eyewear when handling metal
Before drilling, always wear protective eyewear to protect your eyes from metal shards and sparks. The pieces of steel that are thrown off while you are drilling can be very sharp and can damage the eye.
Try to wear long sleeves and closed shoes before you work on metal
Step 2. Hold the drill perpendicular to the steel and the tip of the drill bit against the groove to be drilled
Look for the indent you made in the surface of the steel, then place the drill bit there. Make sure that the drill is in a straight position so that the holes are not bent.
Step 3. Run the drill slowly and press it firmly down
Use a low drill speed and apply steady pressure as you push the drill bit into the steel. Run and stop the drill frequently to give the steel time to cool, and lubricate the area as well. Running the drill at a fast speed can damage the drill bit and steel.
- Apply light, but steady pressure when drilling small holes to prevent the drill bit from breaking.
- When handling mild steel, always use medium speed to prevent the drilled metal shavings from melting.
- Keep clothing away from the drill bit to prevent it from snagging.
Step 4. Run the drill when the drill bit is almost through the steel side behind it
Hold the drill firmly, but reduce the pressure slightly. Press the button to turn on the drill briefly, but often until the drill bit pierces the side of the steel behind it. Keep the drill bit rotating as you pull it out of the hole.
The drill can get caught in the steel and rotate in the hand. Keep your face away from the drill when this happens
Part 4 of 4: Drilling and Cleaning the End Hole
Step 1. Re-drill the steel using a larger drill bit
Repeat the drilling process using the drill bit of the desired size. Stick the drill bit into the hole made at the beginning, then run the drill slowly and lubricate the steel if necessary. Run the drill when the drill bit reaches the end of the hole.
- If you want to make a very large hole, gradually increase the diameter of the drill bit until it reaches the desired size. You may have to use 3 or 4 different drill bits to get the hole the size you want.
- If smoke appears while drilling, slow down the drill or apply more lubricant.
- Some drills may have a feature to adjust the position of the drill on the surface of the object. If your drill doesn't have one, try to position the drill in a straight line.
Step 2. Let the drill bit cool before you remove it
The drill and steel will be hot to the touch when you are done drilling. Allow the drill bit to cool for about 5 minutes before you replace it with a larger drill bit or set it aside.
Step 3. Wipe off any remaining grease and steel shavings
Use a rag or brush to wipe off any drilling residue. Discard the steel shavings in a container for sharps or a separate trash bag. Make sure the steel is completely dry and free of dirt after you clean it.
Never clean metal shavings by hand as they can be very sharp and could hurt you
Step 4. Smooth out the holes using a metal file
Rub a medium or heavy file against the surface of the steel to smooth out the sharp edges of the hole. Do this lightly so that the steel is not damaged. If the file can get into the hole, you can also smooth the inside for a clean, uniform look.
Tips
Place two sheets of plywood 1 cm thick to sandwich the steel sheet, then secure with clamps. This will result in a clean hole
Warning
- Always wear protective eyewear to avoid contact with metal splinters and sparks.
- Clamp the lightweight steel sheet so that it doesn't twist when you drill.
- Never touch metal splinters with your bare hands as this could hurt you.
- Have a fire extinguisher nearby in case a spark appears.
