How to drill into a metal stud?
We will discuss the proper way to drill into a stud, whether it be wood, metal, or behind the wall.
Determine where the stud is by using a stud finder or knocking method.Attach things with metal drill bits and self tapping screws.A secure hold is achieved by using regular wood drill bits and 1inch into a stud.If you get stuck, you can drill pilot holes to see if you are actually drilling into stud.
This seems so simple, doesn't it?You get your drill, select and load a drill bit, firmly press the bit against the stud and drill your hole.
If it was an exposed stud, it would be very simple, but most studs are hidden behind a wall, so you may not know how that wall was built.
I don't know where the stud is or if I should be trying to drill into it.
If you want to hang a small lightweight picture or decoration, you may be able to get by with just drilling a hole into the wall and using a drywall anchor.For bigger items such as a TV mount, a shelf, or a large mirror, you will want to drill into a stud to secure it.
It is almost always best to use a small, short bit to drill a pilot hole.This will make sure that the screw goes in easy and that you don't hit any wires inside the wall.Since electrical wires run through the center of a stud, you should not drill or screw deeper than one inch.
If you miss the stud, a small pilot hole is quicker and easier to repair.
If you want to bore a centered hole up to 2 14 inches, leave a quarter of an inch on both sides of the hole.I don't think a 2 14 inch hole is large enough for a hole on the wide side.
How do we find a stud after finding the stud drilling into it?If you want to find a stud behind a wall, you can use the tap test, which is where you make a fist and tap the wall with your hand, and listen for a hollow sound.
I like to use a tap test and a tape measure to find a stud.Studs are supposed to be placed 16 inches from each other on the center of the wall, so if you measure from the corner you can find a stud.
If you have a Stud Finder, they are very accurate and inexpensive.
If it sounds hollow, try measuring from the other.If you don't trust your ears, you could try a stud finder.A stud finder is a battery operated device that is supposed to find the stud for you, there are many different brands and they are relatively inexpensive.
If you missed the stud you can use a small drill bit to drill through the wall, you should feel pressure all the way in.
If your bit does not penetrate at all.
If you miss the stud, the drill bit will pop right into the wall, offering no resistance, and you should get steady pressure on your drill all the way in.If you missed the stud, you should be able to move the bit up and down or side to side if you pull it back out.
If you use a drill bit made to drill metal, it may not be able to penetrate a metal stud because of the resistance it will face when it reaches the outer wall.
If you aren't able to penetrate with the correct bit, you may be hitting a nail plate.A metal plate nailed to a stud is more rigid than a metal stud and will not allow you to drill through it without resistance.
If you drilled into the wall and were met with resistance but popped through, you have most likely accomplished your goal.
If there is wood or metal on your drill bit when you back it out of the wall, that is an indicator.
If you want to drill into metal studs, you need proper metal drilling bits, bits for drilling wood simply won't get the job done.A general purpose metal bit or a metal boring bit are both made from titanium and have a pointed tip that flares out at either a 118 or 135 degree angle.
Similar to a wooden stud you can use a stud finder or a tape measure to find your stud, studs are typically 16 inches on center measuring from one corner or the other, use as short a drill bit as possible to penetrate the exterior wall and the stud.
All you have to do is pop through the metal stud.What you do next depends on how you choose to anchor your project.
Toggle bolts are a great choice of anchor for a metal stud, there are several different varieties but they all work in the same way, by expanding inside the stud and preventing the bolt from being removed.
If you want the toggle bolt to fit through, you'll need to drill a small pilot hole and a big one.
If you slide the bolt into the hole, it will either spring open inside of the metal stud or expand when you tighten it up.A screw that runs through the center of the toggle causes it to expand when tightened.
It is possible to screw directly into a metal stud using a self tapping screw, but I feel that drilling a pilot hole first is a better option and will make the job easier in the long run.
Even though self tapping screws are a good option when tapping directly into an exposed stud, drilling through any type of exterior wall makes it more difficult and more likely that you will break the screw head completely off.
If you install a mount with several screws only to break the head off of one of them at the end of the job, you will have a damper on your day.If the type of ez_fad_position is 'undefined'.
Even though metal studs are becoming more and more popular in commercial builds, I always think of wood first so most of this article was written with wood studs in mind so if you have read this far you can probably skip this section.
If you put a good wood bit in your drill, there is a brad point in the center of the bit to keep it from travelling on you, and the flutes are splayed out at 180 degrees to quickly move.Put on your safety glasses and mark where you want to drill.
If your stud is behind a wall, use a stud finder such as this or a tape measure to find it, starting from one end of the wall or the other, it will be 16 inches on center.To get through your wall material and into your stud, use as little as possible.If you missed your stud, mark your spot and apply firm pressure drilling straight in.
These are coarse threaded screws that hold well, the length of your screw should be long enough to penetrate 1 inch into your stud.
The thickness of your wall and any brackets you may be attaching should be considered when selecting a screw.
In order to penetrate the stud 1 inch, you will need a 2 inch screw, since the screw head is 14 inch above the wall surface.It is always a good idea to use a short screw when drilling into a stud to make sure there is no danger of electrical wires or plumbing inside the wall.
If your intent is to affix drywall to a stud, you should use a drywall screw with a coarse thread and a flat head to avoid recessing the screw to the point it damages the paper coating of the drywall.
If you want to drill into a metal stud, you will need to use a self-tapping drywall screw, these screws have fine threads to hold to the metal studs more securely.
If your intent is to hang something to the wall, heavier object screws will be fine, but metal studs may need to use toggle bolts.
How dangerous is it to drill into a wall with electrical wires?To make this a less daunting task, there are rules and codes that wiring must be installed to.
A 34 inch hole is supposed to be drilled through the center of a 2” x 4” stud to allow electrical wires to run through it.
A nail plate will be installed on the narrow side to protect you from boring into a wire if a stud is bored to close to one side or the other.
If you use a metal drill bit, you will not be able to drill through a nail plate.
If you suspect that you can nick a wire, you should check with a Live Wire Tester, it's good for finding the studs.
Typically an outlet is attached to one side of a stud and wires can be run vertically along the stud.
To determine which side of the outlet the stud is on, use a stud finder or a tape measure, remember that if you don't feel resistance, stop your drill immediately.
If your studs are metal the electrical wires will be attached using a cable support that holds the wires securely, and out away from the metal stud, so similarly find your stud and use a bit made for metal to drill a hole into it.
Running a screw deeper than 1 inch into a wood stud can cause it to hit an electrical wire.In metal studs self-tapping screws should be used.
A self-tapping screw only needs to go into a metal stud that is large enough for the threads to bite and a toggle that can expand and tighten.
What type of bit are you using, is it wood or metal?If you can't drill a hole 1 inch above the stud, then you are probably hitting a nail plate, or worse, a metal pipe.
Do not try to force it.It is better to pop a few tiny holes in the wall and have to spackle over them than to drill into a water pipe and tear the drywall off.
So your screws are not going into the stud, you know what kind of stud it is, and you aren't trying to screw into a pipe or a nail plate, but what do you do?