How To Drill Hole in Stainless Steel Sink | Step By Step

[@WillN2Go1]

I just drilled a third hole through a very thick 3/16" (5mm) Kraus stainless steel sink. I used a tungsten carbide tipped hole saw in a 12v Bosch drill/driver. Used water for cooling. Took a little effort but it drilled out cleanly. To remove any burrs I used an 8" half round 'basterd cut' (fine) file. Thought I was going to have to go over it with sandpaper, but it's smooth enough. I used a 1-3/8" (35mm) hole saw. Hope this helps. It answers the questions I had and it worked well.

[@rogerk1710]

Great video Allen. Try using a self drilling screw to start the hole. Like a 1/2” self drilling tech screw. They cut great and don’t want to walk easy and it’s the perfect size to guide the step drill.

[@handymanjourney]

Hey great idea Roger! I really appreciate that!

[@inspiredearthnz]

Thanks for the video. Slipping is typically avoided with a simple nail punch mark. As for the drilling, why not use a suitably sized TCT hole saw? The stepper bit seems tedious. Much quicker, much less metal mess, less stopping and starting for lube, etc. Keep up the great working.

[@CableWrestler]

Centre punch first then use the drill on speed 1. Slower the better. Lube up the drill bit then you wont have to stop as often.

[@handymanjourney]

Love it

[@adampeplau3998]

I drill a lot of stainless steel sheet metal, especially for door knob holes in the kick plates that go halfway up the door for commercial restrooms. I don't do that many stainless steel sinks which is a thinner stainless steel. But I'll tell you the Milwaukee one key hammer drill uses an app where you can adjust and set your RPM speeds per each drill speed setting and if you set it to about 500 RPM on your first gear speed setting. It is perfect and as long as you use a high-end cutting oil. You will never burn out a whole saw

[@handymanjourney]

Awesome man! Thanks for your comment! I appreciate it!

[@BYENZER]

At 02:50 mm:ss, you state: "Because stainless steel is very hard material". This is true, BUT, it is NOT what makes drilling S.S. difficult. The smoke you create when drilling is from the S.S. becoming HOT and burning the lubricant. HEAT is the ENEMY when drilling S.S. Why? Because, as S.S. gets HOT, it IMMEDIATELY becomes MUCH HARDER and ruins your drill bit ASAP. Best to use a COOL continuous flowing lube to keep the S.S. and drill bit COOL. If YOU SEE SMOKE, it's already TOO HOT!

[@handymanjourney]

Thanks for your comment!

[@leifharmsen]

Quick tightening the chuck with these bits with your hand is a really bad idea. The bit can rip your hand apart.

[@timdyer7692]

Thanks for the video, Allen! Very good information.

[@handymanjourney]

Hey thanks tim! I appreciate your comment!

[@nosycatUK]

Love diy channels

[@starkness65]

Where do I get this bit?

[@handymanjourney]

Here: amzn.to/4e0Wn6J

[@willrobinson9575]

The key for drilling stainless is to drill slowly. FYI stainless is not hard , its very abrasive.

[@handymanjourney]

Thanks man!

[@veracruzguy1]

Don't most Kitchen Faucets need a minimum of 1&3/8 inch clearence?

[@john-michaelrobinson3994]

WD40 is more of a solvent than a lubricant.

[@handymanjourney]

Thanks for your comment

[@ScottB-k7v]

Use a center punch so the drill bit does not walk.

[@handymanjourney]

Thank you!

[@supersonique001]

Water for cooling your bit NOT oil which will burn and dull the bit. Use good pressure but slower speed.

[@ChipGlendenning]

Use water as a cutting/cooling fluid

[@handymanjourney]

thanks you! I appreciate your comment!

[@guerramundial9868]

I spend 2 hours trying to drill 2 small holes.

[@JagssFN]

Is this ragebait? Literally everything was wrong. Don’t tighten the chuck by spinning it in your hand. Don’t just raw dog your step bit. Use a pilot bit. Go way slower. Way more pressure. Water instead of oil. Don’t wobble the drill around. You want the bit plumb, steady pressure/slow speed

[@arielramos5166]

I would use a magnetic for those sharp pieces

[@handymanjourney]

Good idea

[@DarrinStovall]

Lol you can't use a magnet on stainless. If it's a real stainless sink that is.

[@JagssFN]

Magnets don’t work on 316 stainless steel

[@nosycatUK]

Forget the bit. My wife would kill me for the damaged sink

[@mrlencho7686]

Pilot hole slow down let the tool do the work

[@guyclifford4473]

Stainless is not a hard metal. Get all your information and facts right!

[@guyclifford4473]

You don’t know what you’re talking about. A lot of very amateur information. Always cut Stainless very slowly.

[@adibees]

boomer fax

[@itsaustraliadayeveryday7234]

A TIP :Drilling stainless steel can be expensive because o drills cost a fortune and wear quick, to fix my problem i used a plasma cutter to blast a minute hole in stainless steel then used standard drill to open hole to right size works a treat quick and cheap. Give it ago. Ckeers