How to Drill Holes in Steel - Any Size of Holes
Drilling holes in steel is not as easy as the experts make it look, but there is one tool accessory - the step drill bit - that makes drilling into steel far easier, even for a beginner DIY enthusiast.
13/04/2023
ruko precision tools
In all my years as a DIY Diva, one of the most difficult tasks to do was to drill in steel without the drill bit sliding around and without blunting far too many drill bits in the process. The method of drilling a hole in steel seems simple; drill a small hole and then increase the bit size until you reach the size of hole/s that you need. It is also a good idea to use a hammer and punch to create a slight indent in the steel to prevent the drill bit from sliding around. It isn't that hard but it does require a fair bit of skill and access to different-sized drill bits for steel. But there is an easier way to drill holes in steel - holes of any size - and that is with a step drill bit.
Drilling holes in steel can be tricky and time-consuming especially when you need to drill more than one hole and have to go through each repetitive step for a single hole and this is where the step drill bit comes in extremely handy.
What is a Step Drill Bit?
A stepped drill bit, also known as a step bit, is an accessory that is used in conjunction with a drill. The step bit has a conical shape that is 'stepped' in increasing diameters from small to large and has a cutting-edge groove that allows this bit to cut in different diameters in steel or sheet metal.
The Tork Craft Step Drill Bit retails at around R340 at your local Builders store or at select hardware stores around the country.
How Does a Step Drill Bit Work?
The step bit drills holes far quicker than having to use several steel drill bits for the same purpose. Using a step drill bit for drilling eliminates having to drill a pilot hole and use assorted sizes of drill bits to drill a hole in metal or sheet metal.
For more information on how to use a step drill bit, watch this informative video.
Safety First
As with anything DIY, safety is of the utmost importance and donning safety glasses or goggles is a must. Flying debris or slivers of steel filings can so easily get into your eyes and it is not a laughing matter when this happens. You should also wear thick gloves to protect your hands from ultra-sharp metal shavings.
Using a Stepped Dill Bit
Use clamps to secure
The workpiece must be firmly secured with clamps to avoid it slipping around as you work.
Mark the drilling location
Use a marker to mark the location for the drilled hole and then a centre punch to create an indent for the stepped bit.
Use cutting or lubricating oil
To preserve cutting integrity and prevent the stepped bit from overheating by using cutting or lubricating oil at the drilling location. Even a small amount at the drill site will make a difference.
Drilling a hole
Whether it is a single hole or plenty of holes, follow the same method. Centre the step drill bit on the marked location. Hold the drill firmly and apply consistent pressure at low speed to bite into the steel.