How to Drill Through Steel Beams with a Cordless Drill
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มิ.ย. 2024
- Drilling holes in structural steel to facilitate a good fixing sounds daunting and / or expensive but really isn't. Watch me as I drill 9mm holes in the bottom flange of a universal beam (RSJ) with a cordless drill and standard HSS drill bit.
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Amazon links to the equipment used in this video...
► Bosch Drill Bit: amzn.to/3dr0TgV
► Dewalt 18v Combi Drill: amzn.to/2MiM71A
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the author does like to from scratch, shaping and trimming wood from large blocks into fine finished products. th-cam.com/users/postUgkxD-QRFQz730FJEh4f9BYSf-nkIMIC9hL_ as another reviewer mentioned, most projects require a lot of high-dollar equipment that most of us dont have the room or budget for. But, knowing how to do these things, even if we wont be able to practice the full stack project, is still great.
Tip…put a strong magnet in a plastic bag, near the hole. As you drill just push the swarf to the magnet. Afterwards turn the bag inside out, remove magnet and the metal particles are captured for disposal. NB: only works for iron and steel. Great video TY.
I often use a magnet clear swarf and filings from my workbench, I always struggle to clean the magnet afterwards. I will use method in future. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. 👍
@@6panel300blow it clean with compressor and a blow gun
Good tip.
I find a smaller pilot drill first always helps when drilling a large hole.
Not to small though other wise they’ll just snap with too much pressure...4/5mm for a 10mm hole should do
@@cbdcann5148 Exactly that at high speed for the small one then slower for the 10mm drill bit but it doesn’t need to be as slow as he’s using it. It overheats when people aren’t putting enough pressure on and are just “rubbing” at high speed. I drill steel most days with pillar drills and on site with cordless drills.
I know I'm pretty randomly asking but do anybody know of a good website to watch new series online ?
@Graham Finnley Thank you, I went there and it seems like a nice service =) Appreciate it !!
@Reid Harvey Glad I could help xD
My top tip for drilling holes in steel beams, I get the supplier to drill them. I also sometimes get a hole drilled in each corner of the flange, I then attach some caster wheels if I need to move it and the ground is suitable.
Pilot hole then build up in drill bit sizes and use cutting fluid /compound !
Not gonna work so well on the sorority of a beam ... 🤔
When drilling through steel, depending on steel thickness it NEEDS a variable number of pilot drills. No matter how thick the steel start with a 1/16 or 3/16 twist drill. Use lots of cooling lubricant not grease. Each successive drill is twice the diameter of the previous drill continue this routine until you reach the required hole diameter. The slower the drill speed the better, DO USE FAST SPEEDS unless you want to blunt or break the twist drill. Be mindful as you approach the other side. The twist drill may catch, jam as the twist drill breaks through.
Not "needed"...sometimes preferred, but not necessary. Biggest reason for using a pilot hole is for better accuracy in the location of the final hole.
With press and correct bits, go big.
and...1 pilot max is needed. Any additional step-ups is just time and bits wasted. The cumulative materials excavated is equivalent.
Not to mention greater risk for heat transfer which can alter the steel, essentially inadvertently annealing it.
@@danallen4131 “needed”is probably correct in terms of hand held drills, look at this loon laying on his drill, it’s not good for the drill,or matey’s elbows, sharp(new) bits and take just enough not to stress the drill motor for succeeding cuts. The answer is to perform the task without hurting the drill or yourself, the time it takes, is what it is. I have seen this done with chest braces and hand braces, and the trick is to take it easy.
I personally am a fan of proper cobalt alloy drill bits, but honestly most of the time you don’t need them.
Excuse me Sir, instead of using a normal drill U would better use a Step drill. U get them in package of 3 for 9€ in a German supermarket. U don't need much pressure to drill even if U drill holes with a diameter up to 30mm and steel plate 12mm thick. The power U need, depends on the friction of the material with Your drill and the amount of material U take away by each step. I learned this by drilling holes in the boom of my sailing yacht.
Thankfully watched this before drilling my new seat base. Used your tips and worked like a dream. I would have been burning out bits and blaming them rather than my lack of knowledge. Cheers. 👍🏽
Glad it helped! I used to burn lots of bits before I learnt this as well.
Followed this and totally worked with a 2cm thick RSJ and my small Dewalt cordless driver. I found it easier though to drill a small hole first, open the hole with a cone bit and then use the larger drill bit. Keep speed slow and use plenty of lubricating oil.
Great video Stuart
I used your technique to successfully drill through the axle of my boat trailer after a pesky split pin had managed to get jammed fast inside the original hole. And I've still got my drill bit!
Your Proper Engineering and Proper DIY channels are two of my favourite channels - always look forward to your next videos.
Recently started working in a fabrication shop and found that applying a small amount of pressure in the beginning and increasing it as you drill helps a lot
Thank you so so much! I did it just about as you showed and was able to drill 20 holes with only one drill bit and with no real fatigue on me, either. I had actually put off the job for a while because I was dreading drilling these holes.
Thank you. This is genius. I built a version of this with supplies I already had in my shop. The low speed suggestion is particularly telling. My drill press only goes down to 760 RPM and I am discovering that is too fast and wears out my bits. Thanks again. Genius.
Followed your advice and managed to drill several holes in an RSJ with minimal effort. Those Bosch drill bits are the right ones for this kind of job.
Many thanks
All your videos are so helpful Stuart; thank you for taking the time and trouble to create brilliantly thought out and informative videos. I've been fitting some conservatory blinds within a window recess and needed to screw into an extremely tough old lintel. After jamming and snapping two basic DeWalt HSS bits, blunting a new CK HSS bit and another Bosch bit, I tried a HSS PointTeQ. It performed really well, lasting much longer than all the others and helped me finish the job. Keep up the great work!
Thank you! Was trying to drill through steel at high speed with no success, just a smoking drill bit. As soon as I put it on to the lower setting and slowed down the rpm it worked a treat!
Well, you learn something every day. I never knew this. Thank you. 👍🙂
This helped me sooooo very much..Thank you!!!!!…I was going thru wood to attach it to steel (cedar slats on an iron frame gate) and didn’t think I was making enough or quick progress..the wd40 made a huge difference..it takes a lot but it worked..thanks again🙏🏽👍🏾
Followed the instructions in this youtube and worked perfectly to drill my lintel. Used HSS drill bit at slow speed and some WD40. Allowed me to fix my garage door frame that was sagging below the lintel. Thanks
Like your presentation style. Clear explanations and no waffling nonsense. Save time and money whilst still doing a pro job.
Thank you
Great stuff. I kept snapping pilot drills as metal bar was tough so tried this and worked a treat.
Excellent! I'm glad this helped.
Thank you ! The amount of drill bits I've gone through, u made it look so easy. I got some work to do on a truck body and this really helps, thanks again.
Glad it helped
Honestly, I'm GLAD you showed us your jig. Not everyone has access to a drill press or a magnetic drill for everyday DIY use (or could afford one!) I sure don't! very helpful video!
Exactly!
Thank you , sir, you just now saved me from doing this at home. I need to drill the holes in the beams so that i can use pulleys for my home gym, but looking at your video i realized that my original thoughts require more to it.
Very informative and helpful, and most innovative. Regarding devising ways and means to cope with unusual circumstances (i.e. relieving pressure on your hand to hold the drill in that awkward position and also to generate sufficiently necessary upward pressure for the overhead drill force ) my Dad would have raised a glass to you in what he called "making bread out of stone" by the use of your self-designed jury-rigging to hold the drill in place and use of the clamps to maintain pressure. Well done my son.
Thank you for the tip on slow speed. Worked perfectly.
Thank you so much. I had the same challenge, found your video and used this method. Worked like a dream!
Glad it helped!
Great advice, builder asked me to hire a magdrill, to drill steel. Decided to do it myself with this method. Saved myself £90. But more importantly I learnt how to drill steel. Cheers mate 👍
Very excellent and marvellous. I have to drill 4 holes in the bucket of a (Takeuchi) digger. New Bosch bits, old corded Bosch drill with multiple adjustments-- thought I needed the permanence/ power of a corded tool. Didn't do a pilot. Oil, plenty of cooling stops. After an hour I didn't even make one hole! I'll try all the ideas I've found on the tube. Thank you, much.
Fantastic video. Very helpful and well presented. I didn't know about magnetic drills until you mentioned them. I did a little research and man do those things rock. I suspect for a few holes of minimal diameter, your manual approach is reasonable. But the amount of pressure you need to apply undoubtedly grows exponentially as the the diameter of the desired hole increases. I think this technique of yours becomes impractical as you go much above the 9mm hole you demonstrated. But again, very useful information and a great technique for the right-sized application.Thanks!
Just want to say thanks very much. Worked brilliantly for me - I was making the DIY mistake of drilling fast and destroying the bits.
Just by chance, I've seen this method of using a clamp to exert the pressure you need to drill through the steel, but what I've never known is "to drill at a slow speed" ...... such simple advice that will help me from this day on.
I loved the idea of using clamp(s) for creating drill pressure.
You video is great I actually finally completed drilling my RSJ thanks mate you are a legend 😊
Clever. I just purchased a box of screws from Simpson, here in the States, that have a 1/2", or 12 mm carbide drill. These are for use with the Simpson Quickdrive System, and are collated in plastic strips. You clamp your wood piece to the steel and drill through both with this self tapping and threading screw. Pretty slick. It is driven by a drywall screw gun.
Hi
I know this is a old video now; but just wanted to say thanks for sharing . I had the same problem yesterday and it worked great. Thanks again 👍
How resourceful. The jig and clamp method was ingenious. "Where there is a will there is a way"
Exactly!
WoW, need to drill through a scaffold pole...this information is brilliant!
Thank you for your knowledge!
Totally agree about pressure and speed on steel drill hole, maybe start with a bit small than original hole will help a lote. Note that in big size drill bit the Sharp start a litlle up above the point of them. Fixing using a small drill bit first. Maybe because this you put a more pressure and the cut delay to start. Tks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing these very helpful and invaluable tips and tricks with us, very much appreciated
Glad you like them!
Best video I've found on the topic of drilling through steel without epicly expensive industrial equipment! Thanks a lot, will make my life a lot easier at home. Subscribed!
Glad it was helpful!
Really impressed with the jig and clamps. Will help me out a lot. Nice 1
Glad it helped
FANTASTIC Idea. I used it to drill a 5/16" hole through a 1.25" thick piece of steel after hand drilling a 1/8" pilot hole. I had been hand drilling prior and I still have a sore hand, a sore wrist and a sore neck from looking upwards while applying enough up pressure. I did ten holes that way before finding this video. Arghhh.
I tried your version 1 and the drill bit was barely warm when I finished. I just now saw your second version. Another great solution to the problem I was having holding pressure on the hand clamp. Heading home now and I'll return tomorrow with another clamp and get those last 11 holes drilled.
Thank you for sharing this technique.
I used a cobalt drill bit and a Ryobi cordless 18V drill. Cheers!
Just when I thought there was nothing new here for me, I saw the clamp trick. Feel like ive been living under a rock now!. Thank you :)
Don't worry, it came to me through necessity (as these things do) - I hate spending money hiring tools!
Worth subscribing just for that :)
Good advice, thanks for a good explanation. Pilot drills and a lubricant like CUT-IT are the way to go, also beware of brushing steel swarf away with your fingers as it will be sharp ! Better to use a brush and dustpan.
I needed to drill through a metal beam I used all the techniques here and works perfect… thanks a lot 🎉
Glad it helped!
Thank you! I'm having to drill up as well and I was starting to think it was undoable.
I use two bits, one smaller for the pilot hole. The other for the diameter. Use cobalt alloy drill bits. Dip them in lucas oil or other thick sticky grease. Drill slowly with firm pressure. You are doing it right when you get spiral chips.
Nice jig, steady and clean holes drilled above! You make it look easy... Good video! 👍
Thank you.
Very nice. Quick cheap and easy. Proper problem solved properly.
Very clever techniques! thank you for taking the time to share this with the world :)
Absolutely brilliant, thanks for sharing this.
Thank you
I knew about a drilling aspect but the jig and clamp idea Was Brilliant thanks keep them coming please
Thanks, will do!
So glad I found your channel. Great video, wish I'd known this about 6 months ago. But I know now, thank you!
Welcome aboard
Speed kills. Finally explained all my dead drill bits and why I started buying 'holes', yes, I would weld on washers when possible to avoid drilling and killing..yet another bit.
Thanks!
PS, I thought you were going to wrap a bungee cord around the drill handle and beam to apply elastic force.
Great video thanks. 👍. Like you, I have to drill a hole in an RSJ from below. Thinking of using a trigger operated plasterboard lifter/prop below the drill to exert more pressure.
Brilliant, i have spent to long trying to do this above my head!
Anything above your head is hard work!
First time watching, got through the teaser and comical intro and immediately subscribed
I love your initiative of making such a jig.... it’s only by trial and error you move forward.... but the fact you’ve used your brain with your experience in construction is remarkable and encouraging.
Spot on. I will be watching more of your videos 👍🏽👌🏽
Thank you
I take my hat of to you sir. You truly are a master of your trade. Analyse adapt overcome....
Excellent video. Extremely good explanation. I'm learning a lot. Thank you very much. 👍
Thanks
I liked the old black and decker drills that had a dial adjustment in the trigger. It would be useful in modern drills.
Thanks, this was very helpful!
One remark; WD40 is not a lubricant (it once used to be though)
The man's a genius! Thanks Stuart.
Very welcome
Omg thanks for this I'm building my own workshop and need to drill through several steel I beams to build walls and attach shelves. It took me ages just to drill through the steel brackets to attach the wood beams to the steel just now so was dreading drilling the steel I beams. I will try you tips tomorrow.
Nice one - good luck
Very clever. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks
Brilliant, so simple!
Thank you
My go to is the Hilti DX 350! One shot and done!
I love your channel. You make interesting as well as very useful AND informative! Come role out more videos.
Thank you. Lots more coming!
That was really cool, man. Thanks for the tips on doing an overhead drilling project of my own. Happy day to ya!
loved the jig, great idea, would never have thought of that, might try the sciccor jack idea, or maybe a bottle jack .thank you for a very useful video,
Glad it was helpful!
Brilliant as usual
Thank you for sharing
Continued success to you
Great technique thanks for sharing
Very good, I learnt something which is what it's all about.
Wow I really enjoyed the video lesson. Thank you
Hello I enjoyed this video, many thanks, I've got a question on drilling through a lintel above a window / patio door to hang curtains, would it be the same method or something different? Many thanks in advance
That is absolutely brilliant.
Thanks
Great video! I need to drill two holes through a hitch receiver on an RV. The pressure needs to be horizontal and I'll be on a stool or on the ground while drilling. Any suggestions for how to apply the pressure? Thanks!
I've been DIYing for over sixty years... and nobody ever said: "Run the drill as slowly as possible..." This channel is really taking off.
You learn something every day!
@@ProperDIY - if you don't, it was a wasted day... My philosophy of Life.
Good tips, which I used too. But I recently had to drill 18 mm holes through steel beams from the side. It was for pvc tubes, for electric wiring. I did it on a ladder and leaned into the drill, to put as much pressure on the bit as I could.
An I drilled it with 8 mm first and then 12 mm an 18 mm last.
Apparently I'm Arnie Schwartzenecker. But I wish I had a top-tip like this for it.
Awesome technique and tutorial...cheers ! 👍
Thank you
Ingenious! Thanks for the video.
Glad you liked it!
Very practical and effective 👍
And if you're out on site and don't have a small drill bit to do a pilot hole here is an alternative way to drill your hole successfully by the looks of things thanks for sharing mate enjoyed it 👍
Thank you
Excellent work!
Super , technique..Well explained on how to drill on hardened steel procedures thank you my friend
Glad you liked it
Great video. Thanks. Are there screws that could go into an rsj at all as I need to build a stud wall which is about 1.8 metres long and has a door. The rsj has been plasterboarded and painted. Thanks
Great video PD some great information there mate I used to be a driller in the shipyard & I used to a piece of timber with a steel hook through it at one end & it was called a swage stick the steel hook would be placed on to the flange of the rsj & the timber was used to form a fulcrum at the back of the drill & i would apply pressure on the timber using my shoulder
Yes got it! I suppose any way to exert pressure safety is the way to go - my way was maybe a bit 'Heath Robinson' but it gives the average DIY'er some ideas.
was that at SmithsDock Chris
It certainly was Ray bloody hardwork but great days nice to hear from you mate & I hope your ok👍
Impressive stuff and good improvisation.
Thank you
Evcellent,I've been strugglingfor years with the problem.
That was a great video Stuart you are a very capable fellow
I am so sorry to hear about your niece.
It is good to have you back though, I have missed your videos.
Thank you
I was taught to use a pilot drill the thickness of the twistdrill web, but yes breakage of the pilot drill is a common occurrence and the use of swear words when this happens is also a common occurrence. Great videos
Thank you! I did try a small pilot bit off camera and all it did was take me longer (with changing bits etc) to drill the hole so I didn't bother.
I shall try that, maybe I was misled
@@ProperDIY I think as long as chips are coming off you don't necessarily need a pilot. Sometimes it's hard to get a hole started if the steel is very hard, but it also helps to have a really good set of Cobalt drill bits in those situations.
Great video! Thanks.
Thanks for sharing, what was the thickness of the 1st steel plate
Excellent tutorial!!!!
Great vid, clear and informative. Earned my subscription 👍
Great video always learning the easy way , very hood explanation thanks 🙏
Thanks
Bloody ingenious Thank you for sharing.
Thank you
Thank you a great video, I didn't know most of these things and learnt a lot.
Glad it was helpful!