How To Drill Holes In Steel - The Ultimate Guide!
In this video Ill show you how easy it is to drill holes in steel! People seemed mystified by the many ways to punch holes in steel, I promise its not that hard! If you are watching this video you likely have the tools needed to add holes to metal projects and make adjustments on the fly if needed.
Check out the tools and supplies listed below. As an amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ryobi One+ HP Drill Driver Kit
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Inexpensive Drill Bit Set
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Magnetic pickup tool for metal shavings:
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Milwaukee M18 Magnetic Drill
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Inexpensive Wen Drillpress:
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Evolution Mag Drill (Cheaper option, works great)
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Tapmagic Drilling and Tapping Oil:
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Silver and Demming Drill Bit Set (1/2” - 1” drills)
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Dewalt Stepped Drill Bit Set
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Step Drill Sets:
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Annular Cutter Sets:
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Pferd Hole Saw Set:
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Milwaukee Hole Saws
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Check out the Lincoln Electric Power Mig 140MP, great for the home shop, Mig, TIG, and Stick in 1 machine!
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Thank you to Pferd abrasives for supporting my shop and my channel. For links to some of the grinding discs I use most see below:
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→ Wire Wheel:
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Thanks for watching! Be careful, know the limits of your skills and your tools! Don't try this stuff at home!
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Below are some links to tools I use in the shop on a daily basis.
Starbond CA Glue:
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→ Bosch Miter Saw ( My Favorite miter saw)
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→ Sawstop Table Saw:
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→ Wen Tabletop Metalcutting Bandsaw
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→ Articulated Vise:
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→ Bosch Portable Bandsaw ( 18V)
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→ Porter Cable Restorer:
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→ Lincoln 120V Welder ( good for a home shop)
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→ The Camera I use:
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Big big tip for holesaws (particularly in thicker steel) is to start drilling to get the kerf started, and then stop and drill a hole or three on the inside of that circle as chip relief. It makes an absolutely massive difference in how well it cuts. 3" holesaw on the drill press will happily chew through 1/2" plate in 10-15 seconds if it has a chip relief hole in the kerf. It lets you push a lot harder too, and having a high chip load helps keep things cool.
Nice tip! I’ve seen people do similar with wood
Winteresting
Excellent idea! Thanks
Good tip, make the hole in the kerf or within the circle being cut?
@@DanielSanchez-vk3qs Mostly in the circle, but intersecting the cut.
Take from a retired electrician. Always drill a pilot hole instead of using the step drills smallest size starter size drill tip for drilling. That way when you really need to use the step drill maybe out of position or you no longer have a separate pilot drill bit for your step drill the step drill first size drill tip will be like new and not wanting to be sharpened because the smallest size on your step drill bit will be the FIRST to become dull....
In 'the field' I've (because I was a fool and forgot to bring my can of drill lube) used the few drops of motor oil found on my trucks dipstick to drill a hole in a tractor and make a repair. I was taught by my dear old dad to ALWAYS use a lube when drilling.
I viewed your video which was very well done by the way. One thing I noticed is that you did not use any type of protection for your hand. Use your hand to clear the metal shavings transvision chills run up and down my spine. One of the things cold sores I have a problem I guess I'll just me but I seem to break that pilot for a lot so I went to go leave the pilot hole and using a straight piece of hardened drill bits talk with that has no fruits or anyting on it as a pilot for the drill would have. If you ever get around to reading this thing I still think your video was very informative
Why is bed rail hard to drill.
@@raymarkotjohn7681It’s high carbon, makes it very hard and brittle, not good for much.
Mom must have insisted on that.
@@raymarkotjohn7681It is a high carbon content (hard) steel. Keeps mom and dad from hitting the floor when they are bouncing … and yes, they still bounce!
Brilliant video, Chris. I'm a mechanical engineer (drilled and tapped my first hole aged 15 - still doing that 42 years later). I give the information and the personable, no-nonsense way you delivered it 13 points out of a possible 10. Well done.
A complement from John is a big thing 😅😄👍🏻
Tapped my first hole when I was 14 or 15 too. Awkward n drunk in the back of a ‘72 Cutlass. Pretty sure I was at least 6’ tall by then too. Lol!
@@invictusbp1prop143 😂😂
@@invictusbp1prop143 HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Chris , You covered all the drill and drilling topics . The beginner and even the accomplished Craftsman will take away something they didn't know or basically forgot. Keep up the great work . Always Educational / Entertaining in one easy format. 🙏👊👌
For the magnet mounted drills, if you use a sheet of thin paper under it and fold it up the front next to the drill bit, you can remove the drill without all the metal chips sticking to it.
When you turn the magnet off the chips no longer stick they fall off. No need for paper
Fantastic video! I’ve done a fair bit of metal drilling over the years on home and work projects, and you mentioned quite a few things that I had never considered before. Thanks for all of the info and tips!
Fantastic video! I've drilled many holes in steel, but it was useful to see a comprehensive coverage of different tools and techniques. Keep the great videos coming!
Thank you. Before this video, I never knew there were hole saws for metal. Always saw them as making holes in wood, usually for installing locks. Thanks to your video, I saved myself a ton of money as I was building my own hydraulic press, and I thought my only option was to take the steel to a machine shop to drill.
This was great! I was definitely intimidated by the “mystique” of drilling metal but I feel a lot better now. And that cordless mag drill is a beast!
30 mins of your videos is equal to 40 hours plus hands on shop experience time for guys who can already pretty much understand this stuff But just need to see it done once ahead of time to prep or reassure themselves to doing it better than they have before.. stellar must see and believe information. Best by far.
This is the channel I didn't know I needed to be into. I will be watching. Drilling through harder steel pieces is something I have been dealing with forever and you never know when it pops up. I usually find a way to get it done but knowledge is better than luck. Please address this topic. I remember something about it from shop class but it was about 60 years ago and I need a refresher. Thanks for this content, it is deeply appreciated.
I can't say I really learned anything NEW, but you sure did bring back many things I had forgotten that I knew, and the reasons I do things the way that I do things. GREAT VID. All you young whippersnappers out there put these in your Mental storage box. I only have one thing to add to your Video -No WAIT - YOU DID GREAT.
Thank you! Gave me the confidence to try drilling stainless. I used the lowest speed setting and tapping oil. It went great!
Man, this is a fantastic instructional video! You are VERY knowledgeable and you speak quickly without a lot of wasted words. I have no intention of buying a magnetic drill, but I watched the whole thing anyway - and learned a lot! A TON of information in less than 40 minutes. Thanks! -- liked and subscribed --
Thank you!!! I just wanted a simple, concise tutorial for a beginner, everything I found was so convoluted and then practically skipped over the drilling part, this was so helpful
Chris, You did an excellent job covering the basics of drilling holes. And it was entertaining!
I totally enjoyed this video. As a beginner I appreciate when experts share their knowledge and experience!
GREAT content and explanation clear as crystal.
Perfect video! Debunks all the telltales and myths of drilling metal!! If you’re struggling when drilling into metal/keep breaking drill bits/drill keeps walking.. 90% of the time it’s operator error! (That’s also true for all the work in any trade..) Step back and take a second to think of a better way to get the job done. Be aware of your body position when using a hand drill, (especially corded ones with high torque!!) be aware of the angle at which your drill bit is being pushed against the metal, and be aware of the amount of pressure that needs to be applied for the desired bit size. Don’t go putting all your weight on the drill when you’re using an 1/8” drill bit and vice versa. Essentially, if it’s bending like Beckham or spinning in place without extruding any chips, then you’re doin something wrong.
Thank you for your demonstration for the beginners out there now they have the concept of properly using tools whether they be stand up or handheld tools properly thank you.
This press has worked like a charm for my projects kzhead.infoUgkxajoEbapTfqWaadnqb04h6U576yxXp-FE . I didn't even secure it to my table top, mainly due to the fact that I was using a 15 lbs drill vise. It's not flimsy at all as to what others have claimed it to be. Make sure the locking nuts and levers are secured and there won't be any issues with light pressure and patience. I was able to drill through aluminum, plastic, and steel (steel took a while) with no problems at all. Yeah it took a little longer than a regular drill press, but I don't have the space OR the money for one.The instruction manual was worthless, but luckily assembling the press was intuitive. However, the manual would be good for ordering replacement parts if needed. There is a nice breakdown of the parts that are included in the kit. Before ordering, make sure it is compatible with your unit, it is clearly stated what models the press is compatible with.This was an excellent purchase for $40!!
I've always known to use slower speeds on the drill press, but I never knew the exact number someone with lots of experience uses. Thanks for that tip!
Excellent video 👍 The Milwaukee mag drill is amazing Years ago I had to drill and tap 3/4"-9 clamp bolt holes in a 400 ton press Platten. Press moved horizontally so the drill was on its side. Corded version of Milwaukee mag drill. Wasn't an electric magnet. Holes were about 2" or more deep, don't remember the size, but it was for 3/4" bolts. Stepped up the hole size a few times. Then I chucked up the tap, got it spinning, turned off the drill and sent the tap into the hole. The momentum started the tap nice and square. Finished it by hand after unchucking the tap leaving it in the hole and removing the drill. Excellent drill! Can't imagine how nice they are nowadays.
Great video! I think you missed a few opportunities to mention using simple plate drill guides. I machined out a nicely crafted RC car chassis as a kid using only vise grips, a crappy old drill, and a thin piece of metal and/or G10 fiberglass as a guides. I only had to clamp the guide over my hole, and it really impressed me how accurate the whole chassis turned out. Also for hole saws, if you have no pilot available, you can use a template guide of sorts as well. I know you're probably well aware of all of this, lol.
If it hasn't been mentioned, a machinist friend told me not to use a pilot drill larger than the diameter of the chisel edge of the drill you use for your final hole. Makes sense to me.
Thanks for these great information. Slowly building metal workshop. Appreciate thetime putting this video together.
Step drills are indispensable when drilling in sheet metal - they are ideal for anthing below 2mm. Sheet metal is to thin for regular twist drill bits - they fail to produce round holes, you get a helicopter effect and the material will be bent around the hole. A step drill will make a nice round hole in sheet metal without all these problems.
"Helicopter Effect"! That's a perfect way to describe what you are referring to.... Reminds me of the day I learned that a fan is, mechanically speaking, a screw
Neat trick. Put a small square of cloth folding into 4ths between the drill bit and the hole. No helicopter.
@@gomlin3108 I know that tick. But the holes are still not very round. Step drills are better at that. The best holes are produced by punching.
There are bits specifically for sheet metal. I use them. McMastercarr has them.
Bravo! This has been by far the BEST and most informative video on the different ways and different tool options for making holes in metal. Thank you!
Thank you!! I’m glad you found it useful!
Great informative video. It has given me the will to break out old drill press in implement shed that came with my property about 10 years ago and see/fix if it works. I was dreading drilling holes in 1/2" plate by hand. I, also, like and appreciate the way you list everything you use in links.
Great tips.when using drill press add oil onto the drill.Lasts longer than adding to your work piece, especially with a hole already in it 😊
Your workshop consist of variety of tooling machine just like a factory with many gadgets and special latest high tech devices ,advanced tools. Good video demo and knowledge sharing .
İncredibly useful and practical tips. Mountains of thanks.
I watch KZhead videos all the time and somehow have never seen you! I just wanna say to you keep up the great work and that you are a great teacher, very knowledgeable, and easy to listen to! You should’ve been a professor bro seriously! Look forward to learning more from of your videos buddy! Thanks!
Thanks for this video. I am planning on fastening some studs in my garage that has metal purlins which is a hard metal. Lots of good ideas to keep in mind.
Great tutorial. I like the small pick up magnet hack. I have the floor magnet but will get one of those too for sure.
i enjoyed your video. i have a car collection and do all the restoration and repair work myself and have worked on cars for over 50 years. i like you, have drilled a lot of metal. i would only offer you two points to include in all your videos and both are very important. 1. at the very beginning of talking about drilling metal, i would emphasize the necessity of wearing safety glasses. metal chards and shavings are so sharp, ragged, and small that ANY piece of metal that flies into a person's eye WILL likely be SERIOUS up to the point of actually losing the eye. as you know, metal shavings go all over the place when drilling and this precaution is extremely important if a person is close to the metal being drilled. protection of one's eyes when drilling metal should be THE FIRST thing a person attends to because the very FIRST accident could change a person's life forever. 2. i would suggest that you wear gloves in all your drilling videos OR tell people to NEVER try to brush metal shavings away with an "unprotected" finger if they are not wearing gloves. i know it can sometime be just a reflex action where you want to drill something fast and you grab a drill and just start drilling then when done, you quickly brush away the shavings with your hand or finger. HOWEVER, it doesn't take too many times of watching blood drip out of your hand or finger or having to stop the project to go get a pair of tweezers to dig a metal shaving out of one's hand or finger to GET THE MESSAGE NOT to brush razor sharp metal drill shavings away with one's hand or finger. all in all, you had a great video.
Hello Kriss ! I found your knowledge very helpful ! Thank you ! I would like to share this with you ! Someone told me that when you use a keyed drill chuck it is important to use at least 2 holes in order to lock drill bit in chuck , not just one hole ,for bit will slip while drilling and drill shaft will wrip ! To tighten all 3 is even better !
Thanks for sharing how to drill holes thru steel, you are a good teacher
I really enjoyed this very informative video! Thanks for putting it together!
Wondered about magnetic drills and use.... you solved my problem👍 thanks for doing this video!
Muy muy interesante y completo el vídeo Chris una pregunta según entendí 640/650 ron es lo ideal en el taladro de columna para casi cualquier metal? Por tu próxima respuesta gracias
this was phenomenal, really appreciate you going into such detail, such great info for a newbie like myself!
Thank you for watching!!
Thank you. Very very informative. Much appreciate your time.
Thnx Chris, that was one "HOLY" VID!
You are, workshop genius.
Great video! I also have an old craftsman drill press that does great. The washer tip is awesome.
Recently picked me up that same Milwaukee mag drill and I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s an absolute joy to use. I love how fast and easy it is. Just to clarify for anyone comparing different mag drills in the market, 18:40 Milwaukee claims that the max magnetic force is 2,000 lbs.
It’s so great! I honestly didn’t know it had that much grab power thats fantastic!
Awesome video Chris. Thank you!
Great info. I remember the OCC guys using the step drill all the time. Especially when they were wiring the bikes.
Wow. I got so fascinated with the video I didn't even realize it was 38 minutes long. Excellent suplemental material for noobs like me. Thanks!
Great video, Im new to rhis sort of stuff and took a lot of great information from this video. Thank you for your time.
Outstanding video - comprehensive review - thanks for sharing 😊‼️
I really like using an SDS drill for hole saws, you can get arbors with an SDS shank. SDS drills are good because they are geared lower than a conventional hand-held drill.
Absolutely great, sequential, full tutorial on drilling metals, with the focus on steel. I couldn’t fault it. Very useful for newbies and great reminders for old veterans like myself. Thank you sir!
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When I'm center punching a hole for accuracy I use 2 punches, one pointy center punch to get some penetration and then a wider angle punch to match the drill bit angle and help it not wander. Checking the tip of the bit before use is a good habit to get into. Oh yeah and if your drill bit catches before it exits the material, you can run it in reverse to help punch through. Thanks for the video, I'm sure it'll help push people pass their hesitations with drilling into metal. I was a little hesitant as well before I started my die maker apprenticeship, so I can relate.
Thanks for the guide! If you have time, could you please elaborate on the different combinations of drill speed and strength on various materials you use, from your experience?
Loved this video. Was always wondering about drill speed. I was doing it wrong...thanks
What a fantastic video for a newbie like me. Thank you sir.
Thank you for your help. I stood like an ass and I didn't know about bits and metal drilling. Awesome I will save in my phone and watch it at least 3 more time's.
So much educative. Thanks.
Mill scale is hard on bits. Removing it makes drilling easier and extends the life of cutter/bit.
Great point!!
No mill scale is not hard on drill bits. Mill scale at its thickness is only .036” once the point is thru it means nothing on the bit.
Great informative video thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.
Very very informative, thank you so much.Be blessed 👍.Trinidad W I.
Rex Williams Just started watching a couple of your video's very informative keep it up.
Awesome. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
A lot of valuable information here. Thank you.
Terrific education & explanation!!!!
exellent work. i always been dealing with.. thank you very much.
Fantastic video; I'm the impatient sort but this went by fast. This was a great piece of education. I learned a thing or two, and I have a fair amount of experience under my belt.
I love this content. Thank you for sharing.
Cobalt drills are HSS. There are a number of types of HSS. I have these DeWalt bits too, and the problem with them is that while they’re pretty good for a mid priced product, they’re impossible for most people to resharpen, if that’s something you want to do. Use a spring center punch to make an accurately placed dimple, then use a hammered punch to make the hole larger. Other than annular cutters, which must be used in a drill press of some kind, those general purpose holes saws don’t make accurate holes, no matter who makes them. Often they’re not clean. Step drills make much more accurate holes.
Excellent and right on time for a project I'm facing. Thanks.
Thanks for watching and good luck!
Thank you! I've been drilling too fast!
When I'm drilling with a hand drill, I often employ a guide to keep the cut at 90°. I have a metal-turning lathe and made s step pin with a clampable base and center drilled (using the lathe) out to several common drill shank sizes. I also keep several common thread sized drill bits, both tapping size and through (clear) size along with the correct-sized tap on a block mounted to my work bench wall, so I always have the proper bit when drilling and tapping holes. The 90° guides are turned out if aluminum round stock.
Excellent steel cutting work study, thanks.
Very worthwhile information and very well done. I enjoyed watching and did learn a few things. You actually can teach an old dog new tricks. I'll be 79 in a month.
Very helpful, thanks for the drilling tips. How do you feel about keyless chucks? Do you get more runout with keyless vs keyed chucks?
Thank you!! I'm trying to figure out different ways to enlarge a hole in a school bus door. Got the step bit but heard a nifty trick to slot a hole saw piece inside a larger hole saw piece to act as a pilot!
Fantastic video. I’ve been DIY’r for 50 years working mostly in metal and I still learned a ton. Lesson 1: I’ve been drilling way too fast!
To extend the life of a drill bit you need to keep it cool. In my line of work I’ve drilled hundreds of thousands of holes, and what I use is water with dish detergent. Take a bottle of water, poke a pinhole in the cap, squirt a little Dawn dish detergent in and you’re good to go . The water cools the bit , the detergent adds lubricant and you’re not left with an oily mess when you’re finished.
I also use dish soap when drilling any type of metal. My main reason is that l paint or anodize all my parts and don't need to worry about excessive oil in my parts.
Great info, many thanks!
Excellent video. Learned a lot today. Thanks! Definitely subbed! 😊
Note to self: when drilling holes in "side ways" into metal, use a drill that has two hand holds so you can get pressure onto it from both sides. That helped a lot. I also bought some Cobalt bits, that may have also helped. And used that sticky oil for lubricant "bar and chain oil" so it wouldn't drip off as quick...
Excellent presentation.
Good job my friend! An old Indian trick when drilling with a hole saw (when you don't want the pilot hole to show) is to use a a scrap of material (predrilled) as a guide !
Wow, super helpful video. I’m getting more into metal work and this was great.
Very informative. Thank you.
Hey I am trying to drill a hole in 18 gauge mild steel sheet metal piece and I watched this and my drill caught on the steel at the end and I am try wondering what I should do to get it to drill the hole in a circle fully through it, I am trying to do a oval shaped hole to fit a charging cable through for a mounting bracket for my phone to hold it above my sim wheel, I am using the ryobi drill bits and hand drill and those are the best I got. I am welding the full mounting bracket together and this is the last step for me to finish it.
Not much of a carpenter/builder if they are scared to mess with anything but wood! A good builder can build and do everything with wood, concrete,steel, masonry, etc my father does it all always has we just finished a massive full steel beam style, barn for cattle, a corral, hay shed etc. A good carpenter or builder always has good drills and bits ,bolts, etc. Great vid!!
...... great JOB. wishing you good HEALTH and HAPPINESS.
Love the weld seam tip!
Very helpful information. Thanks!
Very informative!
The turbo max drill bit from Irwin I found to be the best. No punch mark needed . Drilled some 700 holes in sch 80 1" pipe with a 5/32 bit before it was to dull to use . it was with a drill press . The regular bits wandered
Very helpful and informative video! Can you include a link to the higher quality cobalt drill bits you displayed at the beginning of the video? I couldn't find them. Thanks much!
if I could like this video 100 times I would!! definitely subscribed
@Make Everything What a fantastic and comprehensive video. How would you recommend drilling through a 9 inch load bearing i-beam. I have a double 2x6 top plate between the beam and the floor joists of the second story. On one end there is a 1/4" square post like the one in your video, welded to the beam in the basement and the other side is mounted in a column of 2 by 6's. The beam in the basement is a 12 inch i-beam mounted both sides into a knee wall with columns of 2 by 8. It also has a 2x8 top plate. It's all very secure but I just wanted to install some screws to the above top plate was perhaps every 12 or 16 inches apart. I was thinking about using like 1 5/8 screws good for wood
This was fabulous Brother. Thabk you.
Execellent content and delivery - thank you
Great tips thank you. Greetings from Ireland.