any tips for drilling through sheet metal?

[jmatta33]

so between my crusher flare install and drilling out holes for my roll cage, I have discovered that drilling through sheet metal sucks. Are there special bits I dont know about? drill speed i should be using? not sure what im doing wrong but im pretty much distorting damn near every other hole. any advice, tips or tricks would be greatly appriciated.


RLTW!!!

 

[wayoflife]

Use a center punch to mark your holes before drilling. This will help keep the bit from walking. Drill pilot holes first or better, use a unibit (step bit) as that will help make clean holes. Take your time and use a bit of cutting oil on the bit.

 

[jmatta33]

Use a center punch to mark your holes before drilling. This will help keep the bit from walking. Drill pilot holes first or better, use a unibit (step bit) as that will help make clean holes. Take your time and use a bit of cutting oil on the bit.

I'll have to swing by the hardware store later and get a couple step bits. hopefully they will work better than the regular bits I have been using.


RLTW!!!

 

[branman]

Along the same topic - When using the part for a template how do you make sure you have center punched in the center? Mark1 Eyeball?

 

[wayoflife]

I'll have to swing by the hardware store later and get a couple step bits. hopefully they will work better than the regular bits I have been using.


RLTW!!!

Trust me, they will. and will create much cleaner holes. Try to get a the slimmer one that only goes up to 1/2" or there about as it will have a fine point and do a better job. The thicker step bit that goes up to 3/4" or more is harder to work with on sheet metal. Also, they are quite pricey.

 

[wayoflife]

Along the same topic - When using the part for a template how do you make sure you have center punched in the center? Mark1 Eyeball?

I typically mark the holes and then remove the part before center punching. This helps to better locate and eyeball the center.

 

[jmatta33]

Trust me, they will. and will create much cleaner holes. Try to get a the slimmer one that only goes up to 1/2" or there about as it will have a fine point and do a better job. The thicker step bit that goes up to 3/4" or more is harder to work with on sheet metal. Also, they are quite pricey.

awesome thanks


RLTW!!!

 

[NFRs2000NYC]

Use a center punch to mark your holes before drilling. This will help keep the bit from walking. Drill pilot holes first or better, use a unibit (step bit) as that will help make clean holes. Take your time and use a bit of cutting oil on the bit.

To add to this...

1) Whatever bit you use, make sure it's sharp (new). Dull bits make a mess.

2) If you do use a uni bit, don't go crazy with pressure or it can get away from you and chew sheetmetal quickly, and you'll be left with a quarter sized hole before you blink.

 

[jeeeep]

step bits are great...just watch how deep you go, they cut fast and you can drill to the next larger hole quick, wrap some tape to mark your depth so you don't drill too far.

A bit of painters tape on the surface you're working on helps make marking the hole easier.

I'll clamp the piece in place (sometimes it takes creativity if no helper is around) and use a self-centering automatic center punch

 

[jeeeep]

Along the same topic - When using the part for a template how do you make sure you have center punched in the center? Mark1 Eyeball?

I use a washer with the correct overall size to fit the template hole and use an self-centering center punch. you can find washers with a small center hole that works great with center punches

 

[darkknight1999]

I'll have to swing by the hardware store later and get a couple step bits. hopefully they will work better than the regular bits I have been using.


RLTW!!!

Yeah I would use a step bit as well. You want to use a slower speed to start... don't push hard either, let the bit do the work. Soft hands when drilling it out.

 

[darkknight1999]

Trust me, they will. and will create much cleaner holes. Try to get a the slimmer one that only goes up to 1/2" or there about as it will have a fine point and do a better job. The thicker step bit that goes up to 3/4" or more is harder to work with on sheet metal. Also, they are quite pricey.

Exactly what Eddie said, get the thinnest step bit.

 

[jmatta33]

yeah whatever I was doing before was just not working lol


RLTW!!!

 

[Ranger4011]

so between my crusher flare install and drilling out holes for my roll cage, I have discovered that drilling through sheet metal sucks. Are there special bits I dont know about? drill speed i should be using? not sure what im doing wrong but im pretty much distorting damn near every other hole. any advice, tips or tricks would be greatly appriciated.


RLTW!!!

If you have any questions about bodywork feel free to message me if I don't know the answer right away I'll get it!!


Sent from this little chumjigger here in my hand.