How to Drill a Hole in Metal (1/4" Steel)

In this video, Steve Maxwell shows how to drill clean holes in thick steel using a step drill bit, proper drill speed and cutting oil.

Large twist drill bits often grab the metal when drilling thick steel. A step drill bit enlarges the hole gradually, producing cleaner holes with less effort and less risk of the workpiece spinning.

This technique works well for drilling mild steel in fabrication projects such as brackets, lugs and other metalworking parts.

Timestamps:
0:00 Drilling large holes in thick steel
0:48 Why regular drill bits are not ideal
2:07 Why step drill bits work better
3:23 Marking holes accurately in steel
5:27 Center punching the workpiece
6:39 Drill press setup and cutting oil
7:16 Choosing the right drill speed
8:08 Drilling the hole cleanly with a step bit

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