Metal studs have become very popular and are being used for residential, commercial, and industrial constructions for their availability, cost-effectiveness, resilience, and stability. The best thing about metal studs is that they are always straight.
But it is hard for nails or screws to penetrate metal studs hence you may need to drill pilot holes. So bear with us, and find out if you can drill into metal studs.
Drilling into metal studs
You can drill into metal studs. Most screws or nails can’t penetrate metal studs. You will need to drill pilot holes, especially in case of hanging heavy objects. The only requirement is to use the right type of drill bits for the job or else you can ruin the stud by drilling jagged holes.
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Metal studs have become immensely popular all over the world for their durability. You will find them being used in both commercial and residential projects as they are cost-effective and show great resilience. Also, they don’t decay and get damaged by fire or insects.
Metal studs are consistently straight.
They don’t shrink, expand, or split due to weather exposure. Once they are set properly, you won’t be able to tell the difference unless you want to insert a screw or nail. You can’t do that without drilling holes first.
Also, Self-tapping inserts can’t tap on metal studs. In order to hang heavy objects like paintings, heavy frames, pictures, mirrors, and other similar objects, you can drill pilot holes with the help of twisted drill bits.
Is it ok to drill into metal studs?
It is okay to drill into metal studs. In fact, drilling holes is a requirement to put nails or screws for hanging heavy things. Metal studs are constantly straight, which is a great thing, but at the same time, they are not penetrable to most screws or nails.
You will need to drill pilot holes to insert screws or nails.
Therefore, it is considered okay to drill into metal studs. You should use the right drill bit to do the job. If you don’t use the right bit, you may end up drilling uneven or ragged holes that are very unwanted.
Also, you need to locate the center first to avoid drilling around the edges that can damage the studs. You can use a cobalt, titanium, or carbide-tipped drill bit for the job.
3 reasons why you can drill through metal studs
The reasons why you can drill through metal studs are given below –
Hanging things that need more support:
While you can hang most things easily on drywall with the help of drywall inserts or anchors, you will need to drill pilot holes to hang heavy objects on metal studs. Most screws or nails can’t even penetrate metal studs.
Drilling through metal studs is not a complicated task as long as you do it with the right type of drill bits. Almost any general-purpose twist bits for metal will work on drilling metal studs easily.
Making your work easy:
Instead of taking stress about hanging a heavy object on the wall, it is better to anchor it by drilling pilot holes on the metal stud. Just make sure to locate the center of the stud perfectly and drill holes in accordance with that.
This way, you can ensure the best support for the object to be hanged.
Securing the perfect holes:
Drilling is the only way of securing the perfect holes on the metal stud. All you need is the right type of drill bits. Go for the twisted bits made for metal and you can get yourself the perfect pilot holes for hanging objects like mirrors, heavy frames, paintings, and many more.
Do you need a special drill bit to drill through metal studs?
Metal studs are sturdier and more resilient than wood. Even though woods are most often the first choice, people are now widely considering using metal studs for both residential and commercial projects.
While drilling woods are very easy, things are a bit trickier for metal studs. Screws or nails penetrate wood easily, but they can’t when it comes to metal studs.
You may have to drill holes to insert screws or nails on metal studs. Nothing fancy, almost all general-purpose twist bits for metal can be used on metal studs. Drill bits that are designed for metal can be used for other materials like plastic and wood as well.
In case you will be drilling a lot of holes on hard and abrasive metal, it may be wise to go for cobalt steel or black oxide drill bit.
What drill bit for metal studs?
Normal twisted drill bits are not enough for drilling through metal studs. You will need special twisted drill bits designed for metal. The following drill bits work great for drilling through metal studs.
Titanium drill bit:
Titanium drill bits are high-grade steel drill bits that come with a titanium oxide coating. These bits are quite hard, sturdy, corrosion-resistant, and can be drilled into heavy metal. This can be one of your best options for drilling pilot holes on metal studs.
Cobalt drill bit:
A cobalt drill bit is another great option for drilling holes into heavy and hard metals. It is known to be used for cutting into hardest metals and even stainless steel.
It is an upgrade from HSS as it has 5-8% cobalt mixed with the base material to make it extra strong and hard.
Carbide-tipped drill bit:
Carbide-tipped drill bits are designed for drilling through hard materials. You can use a carbide-tipped drill bit to drill pilot holes on metal studs. These bits are tough and can handle heavy loads.
They ensure a prolonged lifetime so you can use them for drilling holes through metal studs without making them dull soon.
Black oxide drill bit:
Black oxide drill bits are bits that come with a black oxide coating. These drill bits are yet another upgrade from the standard HSS bits. They are stronger and last 50% longer than them.
They work on a lot of materials that include different types of metal and composite materials.
How to drill into metal studs?
Drilling into metal studs is different from drilling into metal. You need to follow the right steps to drill properly.
Locate the metal stud:
The first step to drilling into metal studs is locating the metal stud. You can do this with the help of a magnetic stud finder. The result of electronic stud finders is almost always accurate.
Or you can use your middle finger’s knuckle to knock on the wall looking for a hollow sound. But it requires experience and sharp ears to locate the stud this way. You can also use the built-in magnetometer of your smartphone but the result may not be precise.
Find out the center of the metal stud:
Next, it is important to locate the center of the metal stud to drill the pilot holes. You can do this with the help of the electronic stud finder.
Since metal studs are usually only 1 1/4 inches in width, if you drill a hole near the edges, it can compromise the strength of the stud.
Try to find the edges of the metal stud by drilling small holes in the drywall with a small drill bit. You may have to drill multiple holes but you can cover them up later with paste or caulk. As you find both sides, you can locate the center.
Use the right drill bit and drill at a low speed:
Choose a drill bit designed for metal use. Also, to drill holes through metal studs, you’ll be needing twisted bits. Make sure to choose the right type of drill bit to make sure you get the perfect holes.
Also, start drilling at a low speed. Speed makes the bits hotter and dull quickly. It is important to avoid hammering while working with metal studs as hammering can damage them.
Use the right screws for metal studs:
Lastly, you need to use the right type of screws to hang the objects safely. If you’re hanging drywall, you won’t be needing the pilot holes. You will be using the self-drilling fine drywall screws.
In case of hanging heavy objects like a television or such, make sure to use toggle bolts.
Final Thoughts
You can drill into metal studs. Metal studs are being widely used in both commercial and residential constructions, especially for their durability and cost-effectiveness. You need to drill pilot holes to hang heavy objects on metal studs. You can use twisted drill bits designed for metal for this.