How To Tap Sheet Metal

Self drilling or self tapping metal screws increase productivity by reducing the number of steps required to screw together pieces of metal.

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. Let it turn until it goes all the way through as the threads and the sharp point make their own hole. Identify the thread size and pitch on the drill and tap chart. Then tap your metal along the bend line with a rubber or plastic mallet until the sheet bends to the angle you want.

This allows you to skip pre drilling a hole into thinner gauges of sheet metal. The fastener size is generally displayed on the left hand side of the chart place the piece of metal on a stable work surface. Keeping the tap as perpendicular to the face of the metal as possible and exerting some downward pressure start turning the tap slowly clockwise. A self drilling screw has a chisel tip similar to a drill bit.

Very soon you will feel the teeth of the tap start to cut into the metal. To use self tapping screws place the screw directly on the aluminum sheet. Locate the size of the fastener you need to install in the metal.