Angle iron is used in construction for building frameworks, ramps, and stairs. It’s also popular with hobbyists because it can be cut with simple hand tools to make many shapes.

Previously, we showed you how to sharpen a step drill. Now, we prepared 7 tips on how to drill through angle iron.

7 Effective Tips On How To Drill Through Angle Iron

Tip #1: Drill From the Side

When drilling through angle iron, start by placing the drill bit on one of the flat surfaces. Angle iron is typically very thick, and this will ensure that you have enough room to drive a bolt or screw into it without hitting metal shavings from your drilling job.

Whether you’re using a handheld power drill for this project or angle grinders with diamond tip bits, always begin by inserting your drill bit onto one side of the material so there’s plenty of space between the surface and what you’ll be driving in later.

The best place to put your first hole might not be obvious but look closely at where pieces meet up within structure. Finding angles where two bars come together can help guide you as well as reinforcing support joints much stronger than if you were to drill through one bar and into another.

Tip #2: Apply Liquid Penetrating Oil

If your angle iron is rusted or corroded, apply penetrating oil before attempting to drill it. The best option here would be a product like PB Blaster, which can work for hours at a time without running off the material.

This will make your drilling job much easier by reducing friction between the surface of the metal & tool bit because rust particles are no longer caught up in these spaces causing resistance during the process that won’t allow bits to cut easily through what should’ve been an easy project gone bad due to improper preparation beforehand.

Tip #3: Drill Deeply So Bolt Will Be Secured Firmly Into Place

When using a power drill, make sure to drill as deeply as you can. Angle iron is thick, and if your holes aren’t wide enough, the bolt or screw won’t go in all the way giving a poor hold that will allow the structure to bend out of shape over time.

If you’re using an angle grinder with a diamond tip bit for this job be careful not to push too hard because they tend to cut through metal very quickly and easily leaving little workspace before bits become dull causing more frustration than good when trying to complete projects on tight deadlines.

Tip #4: Choose Proper Accessories for Drilling Angle Iron

It’s always a good idea to use proper accessories when you’re drilling through angle iron because this will help ensure that your bolts or screws are held tightly into place so the structure doesn’t give out over time. When choosing bits, choose drill bit sets that have been designed specifically for cutting metal, such as these ones here.

These can be pricey but work very well & last much longer than cheaper options with small diamond bits available at hardware stores near you that won’t do nearly enough of job on their own without going dull within hours, leaving more room for error during the project installation phase.

That is why many people give up projects halfway through only to leave structures in a state of disrepair that can be fixed with proper installation but not without going out & spending more money on new drill bit sets, which have been known to happen over & over again.

Tip #5: Use Center Punch for Precise Drilling

When drilling metal such as angle iron, you don’t want your drill bit slipping, causing rough edges or, worse yet, injury from sharp pieces flying off into air within close proximity where someone could’ve easily lost an eye or two if carelessness was taken lightly during this process.

A good way to prevent this is by using a center punch before putting any pressure onto the power tool while ensuring it’s secure enough against the surface of the material being drilled so bits don’t slip off to the side, causing more problems than needed.

Tip #6: Invest in Steel Bars When Drilling Angle Iron

This is a tip that should’ve been mentioned first because it’s so important for safety reasons as well as ensuring your bolts or screws are held tightly into place, much tighter than if you were using angle iron alone without reinforcement from steel bars on either side of structure being drilled through.

This will allow metal posts to bend outwards instead of pulling away from one another, giving way underneath pressure that would otherwise be supported by the use of reinforcing armature made with steel rods and bar stock used by professionals.

They know exactly what they’re doing when completing projects meant to last long term rather than having things fall apart within months after initial installation only to have to go back and spend more money on new materials for repairs that shouldn’t even need to be done in the first place if angle iron had been used correctly from start.

Tip #7: Use Eye Protection When Drilling Angle Iron

Protect yourself during this process by using eye protection when drilling through angle iron because. As mentioned before, bits tend to cut metal very quickly, which can be harmful especially towards eyes where injuries are easily inflicted without proper care taken throughout project installation phase.

This should always include safety wear such as glasses or goggles while drilling or cutting anything, whether wood, plastic, or steel. These guys here know exactly what they’re doing & take all precautions possible, so accidents don’t happen within close proximity of their workspace.

Safety should always come first when working with power tools because accidents don’t happen often but can easily cause injury or death to those who are not careful enough while using them.

Now that you’ve finished reading this blog post, you can also check out our post about how you can drill through the ceramic tile on a wall. It, too, contains useful information that you might find helpful.