How to cut a small hole in a door with a metal layer? Carbide?

Maverick2002

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2000
4,694
0
0
Decided to install a chain lock in my door only to find out the door has a 1/3-1/4" metal layer. I'm assuming just use a regular power drill and a carbide bit? Or something else?

TIA

EDIT:

Thanks for the help, I just found some metal screws slightly larger diameter than my hole and got it secured. It's on pretty tight. Live and learn, now I know doors are hollow. Thanks!
 
Last edited:

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
96,192
15,783
126
First use hammer and nail to make a dent so your drill bit stays put. Doors are easy to drill.
 

herm0016

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
8,421
1,049
126
Should just be sheet metal, a regular drill will be fine. Center punch like sdifox said.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
126
1/4" would make for a damn heavy door...

Even so, a standard bit for metal will go through it like it was cheese. No need for carbide or anything special.
 

NoTine42

Golden Member
Sep 30, 2013
1,387
78
91
1/4" is seriously thick steel for any residential/consumer purpose. A quick search of a welding forum said car sheet metal (i.e. Car doors) is generally .018" to .047" thick.
 
Last edited:

Charmonium

Diamond Member
May 15, 2015
9,583
2,947
136
Titanium nitride coated bits. Should make quick work of it but you need to lean in so you'll need a decent drill that isn't going to burn out if you push it.
 

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
30,160
3,302
126
hole saw


u don't need the kit.
just 1/2" or 3/4", depending what size your chain is.

edit:
maybe I'm misunderstanding.. the chain going thru the door and wrapping around a post of some sort?
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
96,192
15,783
126
hole saw


u don't need the kit.
just 1/2" or 3/4", depending what size your chain is.

edit:
maybe I'm misunderstanding.. the chain going thru the door and wrapping around a post of some sort?

Lulz he is installing one of those door security chains.
 

Maverick2002

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2000
4,694
0
0
The saga continues. This is retarded. I got a titanium bit, made the holes just fine, only to find out that the door is essentially HOLLOW.

?!?!?!

I know nothing about doors but didn't expect it to be empty inside. So it looks like it's basically sheet metal on both sides (maybe like 3-4mm thick) with some light 'stuffing' inside.

So, I can't use wood screws as there's nothing to screw. Do I need to get sheet metal screws then? Not sure how I'm going to secure it otherwise.
 

Charmonium

Diamond Member
May 15, 2015
9,583
2,947
136
The saga continues. This is retarded. I got a titanium bit, made the holes just fine, only to find out that the door is essentially HOLLOW.

?!?!?!

I know nothing about doors but didn't expect it to be empty inside. So it looks like it's basically sheet metal on both sides (maybe like 3-4mm thick) with some light 'stuffing' inside.

So, I can't use wood screws as there's nothing to screw. Do I need to get sheet metal screws then? Not sure how I'm going to secure it otherwise.
3 or 4mm isn't a lot. I don't think self-tapping screws are going to work. They will initially but over time I don't think there is enough metal to keep them in place,

Since you can't reach inside the door and use bolts, nuts and washers to secure it, you might want to consider rivets. The riveting tool will compress the soft metal of the collar so that you get secure points of attachment.

However you need to choose the length of the rivet to match the material you're attaching them to. Too short and you'll either pull the collar through or distort it so much it won't work. Then you might have to try to drill out your mistake.

Too long and you won't get a tight fit. So double check the thickness of the metal. Since it sounds like it's thicker than sheet metal, you probably don't want to go with the shortest rivets but ask someone ask the hardware store who knows what they're doing.
 
Last edited:

Charmonium

Diamond Member
May 15, 2015
9,583
2,947
136
Use toggle bolts
Toggle bolts should work but require a larger hole that you can fit the toggle though. Although if there is stuff inside the door, there might be some trouble getting the toggles to open up on the other side - depending on the density and stiffness of the filler.
 

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
30,160
3,302
126
The saga continues. This is retarded. I got a titanium bit, made the holes just fine, only to find out that the door is essentially HOLLOW.

?!?!?!

I know nothing about doors but didn't expect it to be empty inside. So it looks like it's basically sheet metal on both sides (maybe like 3-4mm thick) with some light 'stuffing' inside.

So, I can't use wood screws as there's nothing to screw. Do I need to get sheet metal screws then? Not sure how I'm going to secure it otherwise.

u didn't need to predrill the hole.
you could have used tap-it self drilling metal screws.
too late now.
 

Maverick2002

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2000
4,694
0
0
Thanks for the help, I just found some metal screws slightly larger diameter than my hole and got it secured. It's on pretty tight. Live and learn, now I know doors are hollow. Thanks!
 
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