How to Drill Through Metal With a Cordless Drill

On this page (11 sections)

1. How do you drill through metal with a cordless drill?
2. Which bit should you choose for how to drill through metal?
3. How do you keep a bit from slipping?
4. What speed and pressure should you use?
5. Should you use cutting fluid for metal drilling?
6. How do you drill thin sheet metal?
7. What should you do if the bit binds or overheats?
8. Can a cordless drill handle drilling through metal?
9. What mistakes should you avoid when drilling metal?
10. How should you set up and care for the drill and bits?
11. How to drill through metal: which option should you choose?

For how to drill through metal with a cordless drill, use a sharp bit suited to the metal, clamp the work, and drill straight at a controlled speed. Wear eye protection and stop if the bit wanders, binds, or overheats.

Good results come from a steady setup. A firm workpiece, a clear starting point, and suitable pressure help the bit cut cleanly without forcing the drill.

How do you drill through metal with a cordless drill?

Mark the hole, secure the metal, and begin slowly with the drill held square. Keep steady pressure as the bit cuts, then ease up as it approaches the far side.

1. Put on eye protection and clamp the work in a vise or to a stable surface.
2. Mark the hole and make a small starter dimple with a center punch.
3. Fit a sharp bit intended for the metal.
4. Select standard drilling mode, not hammer mode, and start at low speed.
5. Keep the drill aligned and apply steady, moderate pressure.
6. Ease pressure near the far side, stop the drill, then clear the chips safely.

Support thin sheet metal close to the hole so it can't flex. Keep your hands clear of the bit and sharp edges, and don't hold a small piece in your hand while drilling.

Which bit should you choose for how to drill through metal?

Match the bit to the metal, the hole size, and the job. Cobalt bits suit many hard metals, including stainless steel, while a sharp general-purpose bit made for metal may be enough for softer stock.

The DeWalt DWA1240 set has cobalt alloy steel bits with pilot-point tips. DeWalt describes the bits for stainless steel and other hard metals, and the case has a clear lid and removable bit bars to keep sizes organized.

Choose this set if you want a range of cobalt bits and a case that makes sizes easy to see. Skip it if your work is mostly softer metal and a basic metal-rated bit already covers your hole sizes.

The Bosch CO14B set has M42 cobalt alloy bits with 8% cobalt, in sizes from 1/16 in to 1/2 in. Bosch says they suit stainless steel, cast iron, titanium, and other hard or abrasive metals.

This set suits jobs that call for multiple sizes or harder materials. If you need only one small hole in soft metal, a 14-piece cobalt assortment may be more than you need.

How do you keep a bit from slipping?

Make a starter dimple before drilling smooth metal. A center punch gives the tip a place to sit and helps keep it from skating away from your mark.

Check the dimple before you start. If it is off-center, correct it now instead of steering the spinning drill sideways.

Keep the drill aligned with the hole. If you need help fitting a bit securely, follow our guide to how to change a drill bit on a cordless drill.

What speed and pressure should you use?

Start slowly, then keep a controlled speed and steady pressure. Follow the bit maker's speed guidance for the bit size and metal, and ease up if the drill stalls or the bit bends.

A slow start gives you time to confirm the bit is cutting in the right place. Once it has a stable bite, let the cutting edges do the work instead of pushing hard.

If your drill has a clutch, use drilling mode rather than a screw-driving setting. Our guide to what the numbers on a drill mean explains the clutch and speed controls.

Should you use cutting fluid for metal drilling?

Use a suitable cutting fluid when the bit or metal maker recommends it, especially for harder metals or deeper holes. It can reduce heat and friction, but the right fluid depends on the material and bit.

Apply only enough to reach the cutting area. Keep fluid away from the drill's vents, battery contacts, and other electrical parts.

Stop the drill before adding fluid or clearing chips. The bit may be hot after drilling, so give it time to cool before touching it.

How do you drill thin sheet metal?

Clamp thin sheet metal against firm backing so it can't flex, spin, or catch the bit. If the final hole is too large for the bit to start cleanly, begin with a smaller pilot hole.

Use light pressure and keep the drill straight. Ease up as the bit nears the far side to reduce grabbing and tearing.

Metal edges and chips can be sharp. Use a brush or another suitable tool to clear chips after the drill stops, never your fingers.

What should you do if the bit binds or overheats?

Stop if the bit binds, smokes, or becomes too hot to handle. Release the trigger and wait for the bit to cool before removing chips or checking the setup.

Check whether the bit is dull, the work has shifted, or chips are filling the hole. Re-clamp the metal and resume only when the bit can cut straight without excessive force.

Don't twist the drill to free a stuck bit while its motor is running. The sudden movement can strain your wrist or make the workpiece shift.

Can a cordless drill handle drilling through metal?

A cordless drill can handle many metal-drilling jobs when its bit and capacity suit the work. Smaller holes in manageable stock are a natural fit; larger holes and thicker metal need more care and may call for another tool.

The Milwaukee M18 2606-21CT is a drill driver with a 1/2 in chuck and two speed ranges. Milwaukee gives its maximum torque as 500 in-lb, making this a fit for buyers who want a cordless drill driver for metal and general household drilling.

Choose it if you need the drill as well as the bits and want a cordless tool for varied home jobs. Skip it if you already have a suitable drill or only need accessories for a current tool.

For a broader tool comparison, see our cordless drill buying guide.

What mistakes should you avoid when drilling metal?

Avoid loose work, dull bits, excessive pressure, and sideways steering. Each makes it harder to control the hole and can cause the bit to bind or wander.

Don't use hammer mode on metal, and don't start at full speed before the bit is settled in the punch mark. Don't hold the work by hand, grab hot chips, or clear them while the drill is running.

If the bit stops cutting, pause and inspect the setup. More force is rarely the fix; a secure workpiece, sharp bit, and clear hole are better starting points.

How should you set up and care for the drill and bits?

Check the bit, chuck, battery, and workholding before each hole. A bit should sit firmly in the chuck, and the metal should stay put when light pressure is applied.

After drilling, stop the tool and remove chips with a brush. Let the bit cool, then wipe it clean and return it to its case so the cutting edge is protected and the sizes stay organized.

For the Milwaukee kit, keep the included hard case and battery together so the drill is ready for the next job. Store cobalt bit sets in their cases rather than loose in a drawer, where cutting edges can knock against other tools.

How to drill through metal: which option should you choose?

For how to drill through metal, pick a sharp bit for the material, secure the work, and keep the drill straight at a controlled speed. Use the DeWalt set for cobalt pilot-point bits, the Bosch set for its M42 assortment, and the Milwaukee kit if you also need a cordless drill driver.

Stop when the bit binds or overheats, and clear chips only after the drill stops. For a tool shortlist beyond metal work, see best cordless power drills for everyday jobs.

Frequently asked questions

What drill bit should I use for metal?

Choose a sharp bit suited to the metal and hole size. Cobalt bits work for many hard metals, including stainless steel, while a sharp general-purpose metal bit may suit softer stock.

Follow the bit maker's guidance, and replace a dull bit instead of forcing it.

Should I use hammer mode to drill through metal?

No. Turn hammer mode off for metal because the hammering action is intended for masonry.

Use standard drilling mode and a controlled speed.

Secure the work and hold the bit straight.

Do I need cutting oil to drill metal?

Cutting fluid can reduce heat and friction, especially in harder metals or deeper holes. Choose a fluid suited to the material and bit, and follow its instructions.

Stop the drill before adding fluid or clearing chips, and keep fluid away from the drill's vents.

How do I stop a drill bit from walking on metal?

Mark the hole and make a small starter dimple with a center punch. A split-point bit can also help start on contact.

Keep the drill square to the surface, and don't push hard before the cutting edges bite.