How To Tap Sheet Metal

Keeping the tap as perpendicular to the face of the metal as possible and exerting some downward pressure start turning the tap slowly clockwise.

How to tap sheet metal.

Then tap your metal along the bend line with a rubber or plastic mallet until the sheet bends to the angle you want. The fastener size is generally displayed on the left hand side of the chart place the piece of metal on a stable work surface. For a short while the turning will be wobbly but as the tap progresses downward into the hole it will stabilize. Stabilize the screw so it doesn t tilt as it goes in and twist the screw into the metal.

This allows you to skip pre drilling a hole into thinner gauges of sheet metal. Very soon you will feel the teeth of the tap start to cut into the metal. Keep in mind that a properly secured work piece is a safe work piece. To use self tapping screws place the screw directly on the aluminum sheet.

Self drilling or self tapping metal screws increase productivity by reducing the number of steps required to screw together pieces of metal. Identify the thread size and pitch on the drill and tap chart. Let it turn until it goes all the way through as the threads and the sharp point make their own hole.