How to Properly Drill a Hole in Metal

ive been drilling wrong for 50 years...blaming the cheap bits...very good video...

OMG I am 70 and have been drilling holes in everything you can imagine since childhood. I had a problem yesterday drilling through some steel posts on my boat dock. Found this video and I was doing everything WRONG. Followed the advice here and my dock drilling project was, as of this morning, finished. Really well done!

Saw it was 17 mins, thought “wow what a waste of time to show how to drill metal”. Glad I stayed for the whole video! Great information and VERY well explained with good camera angles. Thanks

I learned so much from this, I was disappointed to see you don't have have more how-to videos. You are a very thorough teacher.

Drill- Packedge in typical box, came with a tool bag (added bonus), two batteries, one charger, drill, and driver. Two words "plenty of Torque" kzhead.infoUgkxW1vOBRCMrgTCDEijzpVzDWsgI-Jm2iQv well I guess that's three. Nice upgrade from current setup. Has belt clips, I don't think I will be using those. Driver and drill were bigger than what I expected but it is an upgrade from the current setup. For the money I would say that this is a great setup for Professionals and DIY/Weekend warriors.

Proof that the simplest looking tasks have a hidden layer of finesse.Well done and thank you!

I really thank you for this tutorial. Yesterday I drilled 4 holes in thick metal for like 3 hours. Didn't even know that drill bits can wear off so easily. I just re-did the 4 holes, this time in just 10 mins. I sincerely thank you for helping out.

I am a widow and having to do a lot of repairs and fix-its on my own, I am now a little better informed. Thank you for the most helpful video.

Ok, slow down, lots of pressure, use plenty of lubricant. Check, Wife says about bloody time! ;-)

This man saved me from pain. I was about to use a carbon steel at high RPM pushing softly to not snap the bit

Thank you for being one of the few vids on KZhead properly explaining this. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Another few points of advice for everyone: 1. You are sometimes better off speeding up at the end of a hole (if you pushed too hard at the end of the hole) because you can potentially chip the corners of the bit, instantly ruining it. You can usually feel it before it is going to happen. In the video, you can see when his drill bit is pulled through steel on the spiral rapidly because he pushed too hard at the end and it grabbed a burr. This isn't an issue in aluminum but it is in steel. You will also have a better finished hole and will avoid "ripping" the large chips out at the end. *You may actually consider using your drill's clutch function to avoid chipping at the end, and to avoid hurting your wrist* 2. If you are not concerned with the surface finish, you can use the chuck of the drill itself to clean up the chips on the hole instead of using a chamber bit or larger bit like he uses in the video for the simple purpose of allowing a bolt to pass through. 3. If your drill bit has a split point (meaning the two cutting edges at the tip come to a single point), you do not need a pilot hole. If your drill bit has a standard, more common, chisel tip (meaning that the cutting edges do not fully reach the point of the bit, and there is a small line in the center instead of a point), you need to use a pilot bit the same size or slightly larger than that small center line. 4. Use proper form. Wrap your body around the drill. Besides pushing hard, creating a rigid structure out of your body and the drill makes you a human drill press. Drill presses and milling machines have great rigidity above all else. By not being rigid, your drill bit will wear unevenly and you risk tilting the bit potentially snapping it or jamming it in a hole.

We’re drilling through steel flat bars to install a joiner plate for barn door sliders. It’s a very precise process. A little nerve wracking for steel drilling newbies. Your tutorial was very helpful. Thank you. Follow up: Our drilling project went flawlessly thanks to this video! 👍🏻🤗

I was always told by older techs that I were drilling incorrectly, but were never taught on how I was doing it wrong, until now. Thanks, great video!

a very clear explanation all the way through, thanks for the vid.

Thank you for the video. Learned a lot.

I have been making the most common mistake as described on drilling too fast on metal. Thanks for the lesson:)!

After searching through KZhead for the answer of how to drill through hard steel, I finally find the real answers in an oasis of comments sence, thank you for your great experience and knowledge.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, was a tremendous help for us today! Had a serious struggle with a concrete/ironbeam wall. New drill, bit of oil easy! :)

Thank you so much for such a helpful explanation and demonstration! Was having trouble using a drill press for the first time drilling 2-3mm diameter holes in a 4mm diameter steel rod..broke a couple of tiny drill bits at 200 RPM because I couldn't tell if I was applying too much or too little pressure and couldn't see how the bit was interacting with the rod. ...the first thing you explained about ditching the oil was a huge help - I immediately felt more comfortable being able to see what was actually happening since the oil wasn't blocking my view of the material surface. And then having the confidence to push harder and recognize what an ideal chip looks like was hugely helpful. I also switched over to brand new carbide bits instead of HSS steel bits, and it made a tremendous difference. Thanks again!

Thanks, very helpful. Clear videography. Appreciate you sharing your time and knowledge!

Brilliant video easy to understand thank you for this! I'm a jeweller and have been trying to drill metals for a while had no luck was drilling too fast with no pressure from above! Will definitely try this tomorrow thank you! X

Thank you for your tutorial. It's very important and informative.

Thank you so much! I never had any metal working courses or experience even in the military. As a hobbyist, most of my experience is with soft wood, but occasionally I have a need to work with light metals. This video answered a lot of questions and eased my fears.

I own a steel construction company so I've drilled through a lot of metal and I use these tips all the time. Normally i use a drill press when i can. My friend gave me his Rapidrill and i bought my whole team some because it's perfect for my field of work

Sir, Thank you for sharing your experiences and enlightening as a true Master.

Thank you I so needed this lesson. You are a great teacher.

You are a real good teacher...Very good

I've never drilled into metal and was never feeling fit for the task but that changed now.

Not sure if you are even still on this, but I wanted to say Thank You! Drilling through steel is difficult, but your tips helped me get my task done much faster than when I was trying on my own. I was drilling parallel to the floor, very slowly. I tried with all my might to put enough pressure on, but no go. As soon as I started drilling vertically, I made some nice curls.Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

Thanks for such a good video on drilling. I learned much more than I expected!

Great video! A year in a fabrication shop opened my eyes to the fact that lubricant is a HUGE deal when drilling.

Ditto to other comments; I wish I had seen this before I started drilling on 3/8" plate for the first time! At least only crappy bits were sacrificed during the learning process... you replicated a couple of my perennial mistakes perfectly! VERY helpful, thank you!

Good explanatory video Darrell, I've been drilling that way now for over 30 years, low speed, oil, big chips, keeping the bit cool. Cheers.

Today after arc welding together two steel pipe, I tried to drill a big hole through them, but I got the drill bit melted, and it broke (material was already hot, and I used maximum speed on drill). I searched on youtube to learn what did I wrong, your video was the first that I found, and now I know how not ruin my next drill bits, big thank you!

Best explanation I've seen on KZhead. Thank you.

Thank you very much. As a new widow I’m doing a lot of things my husband used to do for me. I found your video very helpful.

I don't know how much to like this video because of how accurate it is

I have been drilling wrong for my entire life. You have no idea (maybe you do actually lol) how much you have helped me today as I get ready to finish my kayak trailer. I have to drill two more holes that I have been dreading like you cannot imagine and you just saved my mental state and my entire day. THANK YOU!

Glad I watched this before drilling 3/16ths steel. Drilled slowly with downforce and using oil as recommendedand, resulting in nice, long metal shavings and no damaged bits. Using the step bit to clean up the edges worked great. Made sure to frequently vacuum the sharp metal shavings, to keep the work area safe.

You’re so knowledgeable! I’ve got a lot of drilling to do tmrw so doing some research to get it done fast, I’ve learned so much thanks so much!! I’ve been doing it wrong for so long!!

Thanks for posting this, Darrell. I live in the UK, and have 20+ years of industrial fabrication/assembly experience, but still found your video very informative. I've also seen a lot of the mistakes you mentioned...especially from youngsters new to metalwork etc. They could do a lot worse then watch what you're doing.

Wow! I didn't know I was doing it all wrong all those years I could have save many drill bits had your video been available many years ago. Thanks for your training!

Just drilled through some iron gate in order to move the hinge higher. Made the those mistakes and managed to finish my holes before the drill kicked into overload protection. Will follow your tips next time and save myself time and money.

this video was really helpful thanks so much

very helpful. Before this video i made same mistake that explain in video. Drilled to fast and no result. I learned lot. Than you very much.

You are an actual legend sir. I couldn't figure out why it wasn't drilling a hole through a thick sheet of metal. Was just going as big as I can and as I fast as I can. Turns out I needed to do the exact opposite! Think this may be the only tutorial on KZhead I've tried that works. Very concise and explained each point in detail so I understand why it works. Thanks.

You are my supervisor. Thanks for the help. Drilled some metal today and your tips were extremely helpful. 🙏

Great video, thank you for sharing!

Thank you so much very useful information👍👍👍

I cannot believe how many drills I have dulled, and wasted money on buying new ones. Thank you for this valuable instruction that will make me see things differently from now on!

Just got done using your method it worked perfectly drilled some holes in a aluminum skateboard deck Thank you for the good information

wish I had seen this before killing 3 bits. Thanks for the video.

Thank you great to have an informative video without the pointless Hollywood sound effects fighting against machine noise.

I like the details you go through, and explaining why you do it the way you do.

I’m over here thinking the batteries on my drills are going bad!! This is one of the most informative videos I’ve come across on KZhead as a DIYer. Thanks for sharing this knowledge

Very useful info, thanks

"if you have any questions, please go to your supervisor" lol

I’m having my fiancé drill a lock on the door for when he’s not home, but he’s not getting through the metal and already broke a couple of drill bits. I was going to send him this video but I might be able to just do it myself. Learned something new, thanks!

Very helpful video, thank you. I was drilling through aluminum today, not applying a lot of pressure, because I was scared of snapping the bit if I pushed too hard. Now I know that this is fine to do. Thanks!

" you want BIG chips ! " , very good advices and very good english speaking ( not my native language so I appreciate clear english )

I disagree about not needing cutting fluid on aluminum. Aluminum has an annoying habit of heating up and bonding to the drill bit and piling up in the flutes. This material can wedge in hole and break the drill bit. Cutting fluid lowers the temperature of the aluminum and prevents this. Other than that great video!

Thanks Mr.Darrel. I had to drill nearly 170 holes of 4mm. Had difficulty in doing it. Your instructions were very useful. Thanks once again.

Thanks, applying pressure and slowing the drill down changed everything for me. Got muscle aches but the job is done!!!!

Great instruction I was doing it all wrong, way too much speed and smoke

Hey bro thanks a lot for this valuable info... I use to drill too fast & big curls did not came... Just powder came... I use to blame the drill bits.. I was sooo wrong.. Thanks a ton love from india❤️🇮🇳

Thank you so much for this very helpful information. I was doing it in the same wrong way you mentioned i.e. at very fast speed and thought its difficult to drill through metal than through wall. Also faced problem cleaning very thin metal dirt that comes out while drilling ..

Awesome video, lots of good advice. Top notch narration too. Thanks for taking the time to help others.

Instructions are confusing ended up getting my girlfriend pregnant

"Long live the Republic" ..oh wait, this isn't Sootch00 channel! You sound like him.

your advice helped me figure out why I couldn't drill a hole through my PC case chassis. I wasn't applying enough pressure to by my drill gun and a little bit of clipper oil on the drill bit tip helped 100%. Thanks.

Dear Darrell, thank you for your clear and loud pronunciation. It is very unique. Most of publishers are speaking indistinctly. I have listened to the lesson with great pleasure.

where is the tool room, I can't find it. My wife says she does not know either.

Well I feel a bit stupid after watching this. Was doing literally everything wrong lol

You're a Master Craftsman AND an Excellent Instructor. Thank you!

You have taught me a lot, excellent way to explain. Well done and highly appreciated

And all this time i was Blaming my Harbor Freight Bits..!!!! lol

Surely you should sharpen a dull bit not throw it away?

One of the most important videos for new steel workers. Thank you!

Thank you sir! This is the most helpful video i have viewed.

I noticed that you are drilling at an angle. I thought you were supposed to drill straight up and down vertically

Very good. I was going to go to a machine shop and have them drill a hole in angle iron. With your help, drilled the hole at home.

I need to drill a hole in a piece of metal for a floating shelf, Need to add cooling oil to my other oils for the home. I have a drill that has a slower setting now I know why, cool. Saving this for my grandson to educate him on the proper way to drill a hole in metal. I am so happy I decided to go online to check out how to do this kind of job, now I am ready to drill those holes I need. Stamping the metal first also, good idea. Great instructions, thank you!

Used a 1/32” bit and drilled a 1/3” hole through brass. The bit was cool and didn’t snag once. Thank you for teaching me The Way of The Drill

Thank you. It was a wonderful demonstration. I learned something today I thought I couldn't do because I don't not have the high quality branded drill bits...apparently I didn't know...so thank you for teaching us the basics of metal drilling. Cheers👍

This was very informative. Im ready to get my project done with your tips! Thank you

Sadly my supervisor is in heaven. My dad was the king of repairing everything but thanks to your brilliant explanations I've just managed to repair my glass shower screen fixing putting screws through it. I had never drilled through metal before, it went like a dream and it was tricky.

been lookin for those bits for quite a while now, thank you for showing me.

Great video - very helpful and I love the deadpan delivery. Cheers!

This man knows how to teach. And i learned my lesson well. I burned so many drill bits in the past by going full speed like a maniac. I'm gonna take it slow and steady from now on. Just like this professor taught me. Very grateful for this.

This is the best video of the month for me. Thanks for the lesson!

Thanks for sharing. I have definitely learned something new and great knowing before making a mistake! Thanks to you I now got a better understanding of how to proceed on my project!!!

Thank you for sharing. I have been drilling wrong all these years.

ty sir...ur vids upgrading my drilling skills

LOL! This was very enlightening! Thank you. I'm a jeweler (learning Machining at home) and after your video, I got through a precision drill through mild steel with just a pilot drill and my final size in a couple of seconds each!

Wow thank you for this video. I am a rookie DIYer and I didnt know that everything that I do to drill a hole was a mistake. I think I just busted my 2 brand new drills but thanks to this, I now know how to properly drill a hole. 2 thumbs up for helping us out

You are awesome, this was incredibly helpful and informative. Thank you very much!

Thank you for the thorough lesson Darrell.

Man this is good stuff! Thanks for sharing your knowledge👍🏻 You should make more

I learned more than 1 thing with this video!!!