Content

• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

1 Choose the right drill bit. HSS as well as titanium nitride (TiN) coated carbon steel are suitable for most metals. For very hard metals, use cobalt steel drills.

2 Hold the metal part you are about to drill securely in a vise. You do not need to do this if you are going to drill into a large, massive metal object, such as a steel plate.

3 Mark with a pencil where you want to drill the hole. Measure it carefully - it is much more difficult to close a finished hole in metal than in wood.

4 Place the nail on the pencil mark. Apply a few light blows with a hammer to it so as to create a small depression in this place.

5 Stock up on a fire extinguisher near the work area. It is unlikely to be needed, but sometimes sparks from drilling in metal can lead to a small fire. In this case, a nearby fire extinguisher will help you quickly deal with the fire.

6 Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from sparks and flying chips. It is also advisable to wear a shirt with long sleeves and a closed collar.

7 Align the end of the drill with the mark (the indentation made by the nail). Make sure the drill is at the angle you want. Modern drills have a built-in level, which makes the task easier.

8 Apply constant pressure to the drill. Drill hard metals slowly and at a constant speed. Soft metals need to be drilled faster as they can melt at too low speeds. However, do not drill too fast in soft metals, use medium speed.

9 Once you have drilled to the required depth, remove the drill. When doing this, do not turn off the drill until the drill is completely out of the metal.

10finished>

Tips

• Even if we limit ourselves to standard materials of construction, there are a huge number of alloys, and their hardness varies over a very wide range. It is worth taking some time to study the specification and understand what exactly you are going to drill. This will help you find the right drill bit and save you time and money.

Warnings

• Wounds from metal shavings and sparks are quite painful and slow to heal.

What do you need

• Electric drill
• Protective glasses
• Fire extinguisher
• Pencil
• Hammer and small nail
• Vise or clamp