Skip to content 
How to Drill a Hole: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting holes drilled right matters more than you’d think – cracked plastic or wandering bits ruin workpieces fast. We’ll walk through metal, wood, plastic and concrete drilling with pro tips from the shop floor.
Contents
How to Drill a Hole in Metal
Recommended Drill Bits for Metal
HSS Twist Bits: General-purpose for aluminum and mild steel
Cobalt Bits: Essential for stainless steel (8% cobalt content)
TiN-Coated Bits: For hardened alloys like tool steel
Tungsten Carbide Bits: For titanium/Inconel (requires rigid setups)
PCD Bits: Diamond-edged for carbon fiber/composites
Step-by-Step Drilling Process
Secure the workpiece with machinist clamps
Center-punch exact drilling location
Apply cutting fluid (kerosene for aluminum; sulfurized oil for steel)
Set drill speed:
Mild steel: 1,000-1,500 RPM
Aluminum: 3,000+ RPM
Begin drilling with light pressure, increasing steadily
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Insufficient clamping causing workpiece spin
Skipping center punching resulting in bit wandering
Excessive speed generating blue-hued overheated chips
How to Drill a Hole in Wood
Best Drill Bits for Wood
Brad-Point Bits: Clean entry/exit in hardwoods
Spade Bits: Rapid material removal for construction lumber
Forstner Bits: Precision flat-bottom holes
Drilling Steps for Clean Results
Mark location with carpenter’s pencil
Apply masking tape over drill point
Start perpendicularly using drill guide block
For through-holes: Place sacrificial wood underneath
Safety Tips for Wood Drilling
Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles
Maintain two-handed control during high-torque drilling
Use dust collection to prevent respiratory hazards
How to Drill a Hole in Plastic
Suitable Drill Bits for Plastic
Uncoated HSS bits with 90° point angle
Low-spiral flute designs for acrylic/PVC
Step bits for multiple hole diameters
How to Prevent Cracks or Melting
Maintain speeds below 1,500 RPM
Drill in 3-second bursts with cooling intervals
Use backing board for thin sheets
Step-by-Step Drilling Instructions
Apply painter’s tape to both surfaces
Start drilling at 30° angle before vertical alignment
Clear chips frequently with compressed air
Apply light consistent pressure
How to Drill a Hole in Concrete
Tools and Bits for Concrete
Rotary hammer drill with SDS-Plus chuck
Tungsten-carbide tipped masonry bits
Diamond core bits for holes >1″ diameter
Using a Hammer Drill Effectively
Select “hammer + rotation” mode
Set depth gauge to required measurement
Apply water every 15 seconds for cooling
Drilling Technique and Tips
Use star chisel for starter indentation
Drill in stages: 1/4″ → 1/2″ → final diameter
Employ vacuum dust shroud for silica control
Conclusion: Matching Bits to Materials
Successful hole drilling requires selecting the proper tool to drill a hole:
Metal: Cobalt or TiN-coated bits
Wood: Brad-point or Forstner bits
Plastic: 90° HSS bits
Concrete: Carbide-tipped masonry bits
For specialized applications like fiberglass or tile, see our complete Types of Drill Bits selection guide covering step drills, countersinks, and diamond core bits.
Always prioritize sharp bits – dull tools cause 80% of drilling failures.
English 
Russian 
German 
Spanish 
French 
Portuguese