How to Drill Into the Side of Galvanized Pipe

Galvanized pipe is carbon pipe coated with a layer of zinc. The zinc bonds with the iron core of the carbon pipe, creating distinct layers that go from an internal iron layer to a complete outer layer of zinc. Drilling into the galvanized pipe is safe, but if you want to limit your exposure to zinc fumes, you will need to keep the drilling area moist and cool. This will keep the zinc fumes bound to the wet surface of the pipe.

Things You'll Need

• Safety glasses
• Center punch
• Hammer
• Cobalt drill bit
• Reversible drill motor
• Cutting and tapping fluid
• Rags
• Countersink drill bit

Instructions

1. Put on the safety glasses.

2. Place the sharp point of the center punch on the side of the galvanized pipe and strike the center punch with the hammer to create a center mark to hold the tip of the drill bit in place.

3. Secure the drill bit into the chuck of the reversible drill motor. Make sure that the drill bit is centered in the chuck to eliminate the drill bit from wobbling when spinning.

4. Set the tip of the drill bit into the center mark and coat the tip of the drill bit and the surface of the galvanized pipe with cutting and tapping fluid.

5. Apply pressure on the drill motor and pump the trigger of the drill motor to drill into the side of the galvanized pipe. Stop drilling and apply additional cutting and tapping fluid to the drill bit when you see smoke emitting from the area where the drill bit meets the galvanized pipe.

6. Wipe the excess cutting and tapping fluid from the pipe and the drill bit with a rag.

7. Insert the countersink drill bit into the chuck of the drill motor and pump the trigger of the drill motor to remove the bur created by the drilling process from the area around the hole.