Tips On Drilling Through Stainless Steel

If you are planning to install a new sink or rack, then drilling through steel is a skill that will come in handy. Drilling steel is distinctly different from drilling through wood or a wall. It requires a considerable amount of expertise which you can gain only through experience. If you are especially the kind of person who likes to undertake small home improvement projects, then you must know drilling through steel.

Drilling Tips

The instructions on drilling that I provide here are simple and straight forward to follow. They are generic instructions for any job including drilling through sinks or sheets. Here are the things you will require:

• Power Drill With Variable Speeds
• Clamp
• Center Punch
• Hammer
• Oil
• C Clamp
• Gloves
• Safety Goggles
• Earmuffs
• Drill Bits
• Thick Tape
• Metal File
• Rough Cloth

Consult your local hardware storekeeper for the best steel drilling bit. Let us talk about the actual procedure now.

Clamp With Work Surface For Firm Hold
First thing to do is clamp your drilling surface firmly using a C clamp or spring action clamp. This is very important as otherwise, your drilling surface will move and vibrate too much while drilling. This may lead to a botched up hole and be the undoing of the whole project. That is why clamp the drilling surface firmly in place before you begin. Make sure that the area you are drilling into is easily accessible.

Mark the Drilling Target & Mask It With Tape Around
Next thing to do of course is make measurements and decide where exactly you plan to drill - a hole or holes. Make a marking using a colored marker at the place that you intend to drill a hole. Mark your target in an 'X' fashion and proceed with masking of the area around it with thick tape, to prevent damage. Before you begin with the next part of procedure, make sure that you are wearing your safety glasses, gloves and earmuffs.

Make a Small Dent With Center Punch
When you place the drill bit on a flat surface and begin drilling, it has a tendency to wander or slide away from the target. To prevent that, you must hammer a dent or depression into the drill target position using a center punch. This prevents the drill bit from wandering while drilling. Make sure that you punch right into the target position, by using a hammer with the center punch.

Go the Two Bit Way Beginning With Smaller Bit
Next part involves the setting up of the power drill machine and fixing in the drill bit. The drill bit diameter has to commensurate with the size of hole you plan to make. However, it is good practice to make a smaller hole with a smaller drill bit first and then following it up with a larger one. Choose a drill bit half the size of the hole diameter. Pour some oil into the depression at target, made by the center punch.

Begin drilling by exactly placing the drill bit tip into the targeted position and holding it exactly ninety degrees with the surface. Hit the power drill trigger and slowly sculpt through the metal to create the hole. Do not apply too much pressure or the drill bit might heat up and blacken. Apply steady and moderate pressure while slowly drilling the hole. If you notice heating up while the drilling job is underway, stop and pour some lubrication oil. Make sure that you do not touch the drilling surface, as it's bound to heat up!

Then follow it up with drilling with the larger bit the same way. If all goes well and your hand is steady, at the right angles and you have applied the right pressure, the job should be finished in no time!

Clean Up & File Rough Edges
Once the hole's made, clean up the oily mess after the metal has cooled enough. Remove all the rough edges using a metal file. While doing so, you might again want to mask the area around. With the filing done, your objective is accomplished.

Reading about things and actually doing them are two different things. Words are no substitute for action. You can only get a grasp of drilling technique when you actually begin doing it. That is because it takes time to master the handling of a power drill. Be careful and methodical and all will be fine!