Thanks to their ideal strength-to-weight ratio, aluminium angles are used in everything from lightweight furniture to heavy-duty industrial structures. They’re particularly common in frames, brackets, and other structural elements, which makes joining them securely extra important. Strong joints let the structure withstand pressure without bending or failing, while weak joints can lead to catastrophic failure under load.
Luckily, drilling holes for strong joints isn’t difficult if you have the right equipment and expertise on hand – and that’s where the metal experts at MG Metals come in. Read on for our comprehensive guide, which will provide you with the knowledge, tools, and best practices needed to achieve secure connections in your aluminium angle projects.
1. Gather Your Tools
Before you get started, make sure you have all the necessary tools available. These include:
- Safety glasses: Aluminium shavings can fly during drilling, so protect your eyes with wraparound glasses.
- Drill: A cordless drill with variable speed control offers the most flexibility, but consider the project’s scale – for heavy-duty tasks, a corded drill might be more suitable.
- Drill bits: Invest in high-quality drill bits specifically designed for aluminium. These bits typically feature a pointed tip and shearing flutes to prevent grabbing and tearing the delicate metal.
- Clamps: Secure the aluminium angles firmly in place to prevent them from moving while drilling. A vise is ideal for smaller pieces, while clamps work well for larger workpieces.
- Centre punch: This tool helps mark the exact location for your drill hole and prevents the bit from wandering.
- Cutting lubricant: Apply a light coating to the drill bit to reduce friction and heat buildup.
- Tape (optional): Applying masking tape around the drilling area can minimise scratches and provide a cleaner aesthetic for exposed joints.
2. Plan Your Joint
Once you have everything gathered, you can move onto planning the joint itself. Decide on the type of joint you need (butt joint, corner joint, etc) and mark the drilling locations on both aluminium angles. Proper alignment is crucial for a secure connection, so measure carefully.
3. Mark the Drill Holes
Use the centre punch to create a small indentation at each marked location. This starting point helps guide the drill bit and prevents it from slipping during drilling.
4. Clamp the Angles
Secure the aluminium angles firmly in a vise or use clamps to hold them together. This keeps them stable and prevents the material from flexing during drilling, leading to cleaner and more precise holes.
5. Apply Cutting Lubricant
Apply a light coating of cutting lubricant to the aluminium drill bit. This will minimise friction, reduce heat buildup, and extend the life of your drill bit.
6. Prepare Your Drill
Install the drill bit into your drill and adjust the speed to a slow setting. A good starting point for most aluminium angles is around 1000 RPM. You may want to refer to the drill bit manufacturer’s recommendations for optimal speed settings based on the specific bit size and aluminium thickness.
7. Start Drilling!
Begin drilling straight down, applying moderate pressure. Let the drill bit do the work – avoid forcing it, as this can damage the bit and the aluminium.
For larger holes, consider drilling a pilot hole with a smaller diameter bit first. This reduces stress on the material and helps prevent the drill bit from wandering off course.
8. Drill Partially Through (Optional)
If you’re creating a bolt joint, consider drilling only partially through one angle and completely through the other. This creates a stronger connection by preventing the bolt from pulling through the thinner material.
9. Deburr the Holes
Once the holes are drilled, use a deburring tool to remove any sharp edges left behind. This improves the overall aesthetics and functionality of the joint, preventing snags during assembly.
And there you have it – clean, precise holes ready for attaching!
Precision-Cut Aluminium Angles from MG Metals
Build your project exactly how you envisioned it with MG Metals’ precision-cut aluminium angles!
We offer a wide variety of angles, including both standard sizes and custom cuts to fit your specific needs. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional contractor, we can supply you with the high-quality aluminium angles you need to get the job done.
All our aluminium angles are manufactured right here in our state-of-the-art facilities in the UK. We also offer a range of finishing options, like anodising and powder coating, to give your project the perfect look.
Most orders are processed and shipped within 3-5 working days, and you’ll receive them the next working day via a 24-hour courier service.
Ready to turn your vision into reality? Get a free quote online or give us a call on 01794 521070 today!