It’s not easy to drill into a stainless steel sink. But it’s not difficult either. Do you know how to cut a hole in a stainless steel sink? If you don’t know the steps then this guideline is going to help you.
Nowadays stainless steel sinks are mostly used among homeowners. They are popular for having multiple features and advantages like corrosion resistance, easy maintenance, and user-friendly experience. Whenever you’re going to install a water faucet or soap dispenser into your stainless steel sink, you must have to drill a hole into your stainless steel sink. There is no other option left rather than cutting a hole into a stainless steel sink.
But it’s going to be easy for you if you know the right method and have the essential tools.
Let’s discuss it in detail!
Table of Contents
Step By Step Process Of Cutting A Hole With Required Tools
Though it’s a bit challenging, you can easily drill as many holes as you want following the proper guideline. You can surely do it without damaging drill bits and the surface of the stainless steel.
So, let’s head to the tools that you need to get before starting the process!
Tools Required
To complete all the steps, you need a few tools. It’s not like drilling a hole in a composite sink. The method is different from the tools. Without all these tools you cannot make a hole in a stainless steel sink. Before you start to drill, collect all the tools I’ve mentioned below.
- Drill
- Lubricant – Some 3 in 1 oil or similar
- Hammer
- A “brand new standard size 3/8” Bi-Metal hole cutter (Some Faucets require a 1 ½ hole)
- A small wooden block (optional)
- Center Punch or Nail
- A Marker (sharpie or similar)
- An old rag
- Safety Glasses
- Measuring Tape
- A small file or emery cloth
Step 1 – Find The Spot To Drill Your Hole
In the first step, identify where you need to drill to make holes in the sink. It’s just the beginning of your job. Confirm the spot because after drilling there is no way to undo it. Before you start to select the spot two things you should consider. First of all the potential damage to fixtures under the sink and the second one is the distance from pipes.
It is much needed to complete the process perfectly. To confirm the spot you should survey underside of the sink. It will help to identify the right place to drill. Another good way to select the spot is by measuring the distance from the sink to the place where you are going to use the fixture. Masking tape is needed to make a mark on the spot. Place it on the spot on the sink surface. This is the spot where the hole will be made.
Step 2- Indentation
This is another important step that you should follow. Most of the professionals use this method. When the drill starts spinning, it can skip across the surface of the sink. But making an indentation can prevent this problem. This indentation should be small in size. Take a nail set and hold the point on the mark on the sink.
You can also use a large nail. Take a hammer and strike it on the top of the nail. This strike should be hard enough to make a perfect indentation. If you are not satisfied with the indentation, then strike it more. It will be perfect soon.
Step 3- Lubricating The Drill Bit
Picking the right drill bit for the stainless steel sink to make holes is not the last thing. When you start to drill through stainless steel then the bit can lose the temper of its sharp edge. But there is a simple way to solve this problem.
Take lubricant oil and apply it to the point of the bit. A single drop of the oil is enough to lubricate the bit. You have to keep the bit lubricated. If it needs, then apply the oil more after the bit starts to turn. If it begins smoking then you have to stop drilling because the point becoming too hot.
Step 4- Protect your eyes with Protective Eyewear
Take proper protection before you start drilling. Professionals suggest using protective eyewear and goggles. A spinning titanium step drill bit is dangerous when you are drilling something. Many tiny bits will fly that can damage your eyes. Protect your eyes with the goggles.
Step 5- Start To Drill
First of all, select the perfect drill bit with the measurement that you need. Place the point of the bit on the mark. Place it perfectly on your masking tape. It will ensure that you are drilling in the perfect place. Before you start, hold the drill bit in a vertical position. Start to drill at a low speed that ensures its consistency of drilling. Keep monitoring the drill bit.
When it starts to penetrate the sink surface, then stop drilling. Because ¼ inch bit is not perfect to drill the surface perfectly. Take ½ inch bit and ensure that this bit also lubricated with the oil. Now start the drill and continue it until it goes through the sink surface. Now your drilling is complete, but not all the steps.
Step 6- Removing The Sharp Edges
If you completed the drilling then you are not done yet with it. There are more things to do with the hole. There is a sharp edge inside the hole. You have to remove it. Take a paper towel and clean the surface. There is your debris that needs to clean.
Take an emery cloth to sand the hole. It will help to smooth the edges of the hole. A small file also can do the same thing. Be careful when you are doing this. The edges are very much sharp that can badly damage your finger. Gloves are the only way to save your finger.
Final Step
Are you trying to make more holes in your stainless steel sink? You should follow the same process from the beginning I’ve discussed earlier, to make more holes.
Final Verdict
If you buy a Stainless steel bar sink or already have an existing sink, cutting a hole makes no difference. You have to follow the same way and the process to make holes. In every situation cut a hole on a stainless steel sink is not easy. If the sink is out of the countertops, you can cut holes with these steps.
Making holes is important to install a brand new sink. You might need to cut holes more than once. But the suggestion is, cutting a hole in stainless steel sink is much easier if you do this before you install it.