3 Ways to Drill Steel

Table of contents:

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Steel is a material held in high regard not only for its external appearance, but also because it is very resistant and versatile. It can be used for specific purposes related to its properties, or even for ornamental purposes. Steel is an alloy of iron ore and carbon. In the smelting process, the type of mixture and the temperatures reached can produce hard steel (cast iron), thinner steel sheet (tin) or stainless steel. The most obvious applications of steel are in household appliances and decorative elements, but it is also widely used in many industries, such as transport, chemical and petrochemical, and construction. It can be shaped and manufactured for many different uses, but doing so often requires knowing how to drill holes on it to make it suitable for the desired use.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preparation

Step 1. Get some good equipment

Good quality equipment, such as good drill bits, will make the difference in this job, as steel is not only an expensive material, but also difficult to drill

Step 2. Wear safety clothing to protect yourself from any slipping of the drill bits, or metal chips produced by drilling, which could hit you

Step 3. Secure the steel on a smooth and well-lit surface, holding it steady with parallel ("C") or other equally effective vices

Step 4. Take your measurements carefully and mark the spot to drill

Mark the point to be drilled with a permanent marker.
Apply adhesive tape around the marked point to better identify it and to protect the surrounding area.

Step 5. Mark the marked spot with an awl

Hold the awl perpendicular to the plane to be drilled and, with precision and firmness, give a hammer stroke in order to dent the steel and create a dent in the point to be drilled: this will serve to prevent the drill bit from moving from the point marked during the drilling operation

Method 2 of 3: Drill the steel

Step 1. Drill a pilot hole using a drill bit that is half the diameter of the hole you want to drill

If, for example, you want to drill a 25mm diameter hole, use a 12.5mm drill bit

Step 2. Apply lubricating oil on the marked point to reduce friction and avoid overheating

Step 3. Position the drill on the marked point, perpendicular to the surface to be drilled, and drill the hole

Initially, vary the speed of the drill until the bit is well inserted into the metal.
Once this is done, he drills firmly and decisively inside the steel.

Step 4. Use a pillar drill for greater accuracy, and to drill through thicker steel plates

A pillar drill will allow you to keep one hand free to apply lubricating oil to the point to be drilled, if necessary

Step 5. Use a screw punch with a hand crank and / or a “cup” drill bit (core drill) for greater accuracy in drilling large diameter holes

Method 3 of 3: Clean

Step 1. Remove excess oil from the surface with a rag

Step 2. File the edges well

Use a fine-grained file and a steel straw if the edges of the hole remain visible

Step 3. Use a medium-grain file for the inside of the hole

Advice

You can't afford to get the measurements wrong: measure the diameter of the hole well and make sure you choose the right screw punch or core drill for that size, checking if the indicated diameter refers to the inner or outer circumference.
If the hole to be drilled must be inclined, it is better to use a pillar drill to calibrate and maintain the right angle.
If the metal turns blue during drilling, it means that it is overheating too much: do not continue drilling as the metal will become more and more resistant to drilling. Stop and apply some lubricating oil.

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