How To Tap Sheet Metal

If you re working with a thick sheet of metal apply heat from a blowtorch along the bend line to soften it.

How to tap sheet metal.

Keep in mind that a properly secured work piece is a safe work piece. Keeping the tap as perpendicular to the face of the metal as possible and exerting some downward pressure start turning the tap slowly clockwise. Very soon you will feel the teeth of the tap start to cut into the metal. This allows you to skip pre drilling a hole into thinner gauges of sheet metal.

Identify the thread size and pitch on the drill and tap chart. The fastener size is generally displayed on the left hand side of the chart place the piece of metal on a stable work surface. Self drilling or self tapping metal screws increase productivity by reducing the number of steps required to screw together pieces of metal. A self drilling screw has a chisel tip similar to a drill bit.

Stabilize the screw so it doesn t tilt as it goes in and twist the screw into the metal. To use self tapping screws place the screw directly on the aluminum sheet. Let it turn until it goes all the way through as the threads and the sharp point make their own hole.