How to Drill Into a 1/2 Steel Plate Overhead

Drill bits heat up while drilling. Drilling a hole in steel, especially 1/2-inch thick steel plate, can cause drillbit failure if the bit overheats to the point it loses its edge and/or hardness. Applying a few drops of cutting oil to the drillbit during the drilling operation will keep the drill bit cool enough to make it through the plate. It's a bit trickier to use cutting oil on a drillbit while drilling a 1/2-inch thick steel plate over one's head, but the job can be still be done.

Center punch
Hammer
Drill bit set
Cordless drill
1 aerosol can of cutting oil

Instructions

- 1
  Make a dimple at the location of the proposed hole in the 1/2-inch overhead steel plate. Do this by holding the tip of a center punch up on the center point of the site, then striking the other end sharply with a hammer. The dimple will act as a starting point, or cup, for the tip of the drillbit to sit in so that it does not wander when the drill starts.
- 2
  Slip the desired size drill bit into the chuck of a cordless drill. Tighten the chuck.
- 3
  Hold the drill in one hand and put the tip of the drill bit up into the dimple on the 1/2-inch overhead steel plate. Start the drill by pulling the trigger in the handle.
- 4
  Spray a stream of cutting oil from an aerosol can up onto the drill bit, as close to the tip as possible while drilling. Repeat every few seconds until the drill bit is completely through the 1/2-inch steel overhead plate.

What Is the Difference Between Milwaukee M18 & 18V?

How To Use a Wheeler Snap Cutter

Remodeling Tools & Equipment