How To Drill A Hole In Metal And Brick?

Drilling a hole seems like a hefty task, isn’t it? Well, it can be like that if you don’t follow the proper techniques.

Metal and bricks are generally difficult to work with. The latter are durable yet fragile because they are quick to crack if drilling isn’t done right.

On the other hand, metals are too hard in structure and difficult to model. But both of these materials require very careful remodeling when used in any project because drilling is a common step.

I realized that when I started crafting a metallic stand for my potted plants, and had to drill the base into the holder. Lucky for me, my husband was there to help me out and assist me through it.

Hi! I am Stacy Smith, and today, I am going to talk about how to drill a hole in metal and brick, walking you through the whole procedure. Let’s get started without any further delay!

How To Drill A Hole In Metal

I’ll start with metal drilling and move on to the part about bricks later. So, to drill a perfect hole in metal, without damaging it, you need to follow the given steps carefully:

1. Choose The Right Bit

The type of bit that should be used varies from metal to metal, and you need to pick the correct one to avoid unsatisfactory results. The High-Speed Steel bits, popularly referred to as HSS bits, are suitable for most metals and are a safe go-to choice.

Additionally, carbon steel bits that use a coating of titanium nitride are excellent for drilling holes in lighter metals like aluminum and magnesium. But if you are going to use heavier and stronger metals like copper and iron, cobalt steel bits are your best bet.

2. Put On Your Safety Gear

Drilling is a dangerous task that involves a lot of debris bits and pieces flying around uncontrollably. Hence, you need to make sure that you are properly geared up, with all your safety equipment in place, before starting to work.

Put on your safety goggles because they’ll help you see the marked area with focus, along with saving your eyes from the flying residues. Get a pair that properly covers your eyes and the side areas of your face. 

Moreover, if you think you can handle the drill machine without slipping, put on safety gloves and keep a first aid kit nearby. Since drilling produces sparks, keeping a fire extinguisher handy is also a prudent decision. 

It’s just a safety measure, and taking proper precautions never hurts, does it?

3. Secure The Metal

You can totally drill your metal without securing it, but it’ll be much more difficult and uncomfortable. If you are a beginner, clamp your metal strip at your workstation or set it up using a vice. This will provide support to your project and keep it secured in one place, eliminating any movements caused by the vibrations of the drill.

4. Make A Dimple

It’s not easy to drive the drill precisely at the point you wish to, especially if you’re a novice. You can ease out this step by taking appropriate measurements and marking the exact point where you want to make the hole.

What’s more, it would help if you create a small cusp or dimple using a hammer and a center punch. Doing this will significantly minimize the chances of your drill wandering off, ensuring that it glides in easily at the desired spot.

5. Set Up The Drill

To make the drilling much more efficient, use a lubricant like a multipurpose oil or cutting fluid whenever you are working on a metal strip thicker than 0.15 inches. The lubricant tones down the heat produced by friction between the two surfaces, i.e., the drill and the metal, thereby simplifying the task.

Next, place the bit on the marked point or dimple and set the angle right. The latest drills come equipped with leveling bubbles that make angle setting really easy; try to get your hands on those models if you can.

But you can skip this step if you’re working on lighter metals like aluminum or brass. 

6. Apply Pressure

The drill just does the piercing part, and it’s actually you who’s going to decide the amount of pressure needed to make a clean hole. When drilling a soft metal, I suggest going at a slightly faster speed.

That said, keep the rhythm consistent and steady to get through the material without cracking the structure. This step can be slightly tricky, but you’ll get the hang of it with time and practice.

7. Focus On The Process

Stay as focused as you can until the drill emerges from the other end or has reached the desired depth. The most important thing you need to be attentive to is that you do not abruptly stop midway. Meaning, don’t keep the drill running all the while, even when moving it out of your metal piece.

How To Drill A Hole In Brick

The process is the same as I mentioned above, apart from one key difference. The first being the type of bit suitable for use. You’ll have to use a masonry bit for drilling holes in bricks if you want pleasant results. 

I also recommend that you keep a bucket of water nearby while drilling to cool off your bit if it gets too hot.

Final Words