Drilling Clean Holes in Sheet Metal for Segmenting

[leehljp]

I ran across a neat way to drill clean holes in sheet metal - for those who make their own metal segmenting rings. I have my way but it is far more work than this method and not as good either:

Drilling Accurate Holes in Thin Sheet Metal With Twist Drills - HomemadeTools.net

Drilling thin sheet metal with regular drill bits can be hazardous and even if you are able to get the drill bit to cut through, the hole will often

www.homemadetools.net

This link is about 20 minutes but the actual tip starts at the 6 minute mark. The whole video is good.

 

[egnald]

Pretty cool tip. I don't need to do this very often, but I'm sure I will remember this suggestion the next time I do. - Thanks for posting the link. - Dave

 

[jttheclockman]

I ran across a neat way to drill clean holes in sheet metal - for those who make their on metal segmenting rings. I have my way but it is far more work than this method and not as good either:

Drilling Accurate Holes in Thin Sheet Metal With Twist Drills - HomemadeTools.net

Drilling thin sheet metal with regular drill bits can be hazardous and even if you are able to get the drill bit to cut through, the hole will often

www.homemadetools.net

This link is about 20 minutes but the actual tip starts at the 6 minute mark. The whole video is good.

This has been around for awhile and there are a couple people who did videos. It does work but a word of caution and that would be I still would not hold that piece in my hands. Accidents happen in the shop so fast. I both clamp my scrap board and also the metal. By the way that method will work for thin plastics as well.

 

[Alan Morrison]

I have used a jewellers punch in the past which is very accurate.
Here's a link.

This makes things easier

I borrowed this metal punch from a jeweller friend and it makes short work of cutting out rings.

www.penturners.org

 

[Woodchipper]

Never hold a piece in your hand while drilling, etc. Learned that 60 years ago from a model maker.