Stainless steel continues to be a highly sought material for modern architecture and interior designs. However, when you think of elegant stainless steel benches, exhaust canopies, kitchen, or bars, you face a common dilemma. How would you drill through stainless steel equipment without damaging it?
Moreover, no household would like to see fingerprints spoiling the look of the surface. Besides, you know how tough stainless steel can be. Occasionally, you might end up breaking the drill bits. This explains why most Australian households count on experts for handling the installation process of steel equipment and accessories.
Well, if you are wondering how to drill stainless steel without damaging the bit or spoiling the looks of the equipment, here’s the ultimate guide for you.
Drilling stainless steel during installation or renovations
- Step 1: In the first place, you must be sure of where to drill the hole. Use a marker pen to spot the particular area.
- Step 2: Now, consider the thickness of the hole that you are going to drill. In case it is less than 3 mm., you can drill the hole using a single bit. However, if you need a larger hole, or the metal sheet appears to be thicker, take a drill bit half the size of the intended diameter. Once you drill the first hole, get a thicker bit and drill through the first one to achieve the desired diameter.
- Step 3: To ensure proper security, clamp the workpiece into its position firmly when you drill through it. In case the bit grabs when you operate with it or makes an exit on the blindside, the workpiece might spin and cause injuries and damage to the equipment.
- Step 4: In case you are using hand tools for drilling, use a good amount of lubricant or cutting fluid on the metal. This will pacify the process, reduce friction, and make your work easier.
- Step 5: When you drill the hole, keep an eye on the pressure, speed, and feed rate to ensure that you are doing it right. Look out for the swarf, which needs to exit the hole cleanly.
- Step 6: Do not make any skin contact with the equipment or the bit immediately after you drill the hole. You might end up burning your fingers.
How to choose the right bit while drilling stainless steel?
Choosing the right drill bit happens to be a tricky task. For the best outcomes, you need to hire experts while drilling stainless steel. Experienced professionals can use their discretion and expertise to decide what type of drill bit would suit your purpose. Here are some of the common types of drill bits.
- HSS (High-Speed Steel) is a common material, ideal for making holes into soft steel. For general drilling applications for installation or maintenance, it serves as the most cost-effective solution.
- Cobalt bits are harder, as the base material, in this case, comes blended with 5% to 8% cobalt. For stainless steel equipment, cobalt bits are ideal as the material is tougher.
- Carbide bits are the toughest of drill bit materials, although they are brittle. These bits are suitable for the hardest drills and the toughest materials.
Those are some tips on how to drill stainless steel.
For all your kitchen furniture needs, trust only A1 Custom Stainless Steel to manufacture it. Kitchen utensils that we produce are made of the best stainless steel materials in their class which are durable, anti-corrosion, versatile, and can withstand heat well.
We manufacture kitchen furniture such as:
- exhaust canopies,
- kitchen hoods,
- stainless steel benches,
- and so on.
So don’t hesitate to order your kitchen furniture from A1 Custom Stainless Steel.