Drilling Through Aluminum Siding

Hard metals like steel and larger drill bits require even slower speeds.

Drilling through aluminum siding.

A smaller drill for work around the house typically has a 3 8 inch chuck. Most drill bits are not designed to punch through such material which means that they will either start to get dull rather quickly or they will chew through the stuff and wind up ruining your project. Cement fiber siding can be drilled while installed on a house or. However even though aluminum is relatively easy to work with you still have to be careful about drilling through it.

However drilling through cement fiber siding goes better if you use a carbide drill bit as opposed to a regular steel drill bit. With a small twist bit 1 16 in. Step 6 reverse the direction of the drill motor after making the hole and slowly work it through the vinyl siding while pulsing the drill as you pull it outward. To 3 16 in you can drill through most metals at 3 000 rpm.

Use a carbide or masonry bit if the siding is a composite or. Hardieplank is available as ready to paint or with a color layer. Fit a cordless drill with a standard wood bit about 1 16 inch larger than the screw if you re drilling through vinyl or steel siding. If maintaining hole size finish and hole roundness are the goals using a straight flute through coolant drill is advantageous.

If you are drilling a large diameter hole with a hole saw take care to avoid the hole saw from catching and causing irreparable damage to the siding. However since aluminum is so soft drilling operations using the aforementioned geometry tend to present difficulties in maintaining proper hole diameter and sidewall surface finish. Minimizing the amount of pressure that you exert on the drill bit will prevent the siding from denting and reduce the chances of the drill bit catching on the thin aluminum that comprises the siding. The siding is fire resistant providing a high level of protection for a home.

In general it s a good idea to drill through metal using as slow a speed as possible using a drill bit for metal. Release the siding when the drill bit is through it and apply pressure to the drill to continue drilling through the surface behind the siding. So with that in mind. The chuck on a hand drill or drill press secures a drill bit to the tool along the bit s shank.

Although the siding does not require drilling pilot holes you may need to run wire or cable through the siding necessitating drilling a hole. Https amzn to 2vnnzuy milwaukee hawg bits. And heat dulls bits quickly.