How to Thread a Hole in Metal

Attaching hardware to metal can be done in several ways. Welding is the best way to create a permanent joint. A bolt and nut provide a strong joint to support weight or to make a piece adjustable. The third way is to create a threaded hole in the metal. Decide what size of screw or bolt you need to thread into your metal and create the hole slightly smaller than your tap. A metal tap must be handled carefully with patience to prevent stripping the hole or breaking the tap.

Drill
Cutting oil
Tap set
Bolt or screw

Instructions

- 1
  Choose the size of bit you need to create your hole. Loosen the chuck on your drill and insert the bit. Tighten the chuck to lock the bit into place. Set the drill to drill mode by selecting the drill bit icon on the clutch ring and set the speed to low, or "2."
- 2
  Set the tip of your bit on the spot marked for your threaded hole. Apply slight pressure to the drill and start it turning. Keep the bit turning as it cuts into the metal. Squeeze a drop or two of metal cutting oil into the hole every 15 to 30 seconds of drilling to prevent the drill binding and snapping the bit. Keep drilling until the bit cuts through the metal to the other side.
- 3
  Use a countersink bit to lightly countersink the edge of the hole you bored. Fit the proper size of tap into the hole and press down, twisting the tap clockwise. Turn the tap into the metal one-quarter to one-half turn, turning it back counterclockwise half the distance of the turn each time in order to cut the thread slowly.
- 4
  Continue turning and turning back the tap until you have cut the threads through the entire thickness of the metal. Twist the tap counterclockwise to remove the tap from your hole. Thread your screw or bolt into the hole, tightening it with a screwdriver or wrench.

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