Nailing Through Sheet Metal

Position the sheet metal.

Nailing through sheet metal.

For clean precise holes in thin sheet metal make a wood sandwich. A socket or wrench is then used to turn the draw stud gradually pulling the punch through the sheet metal and into the die. Sheet metal screws were originally designed for metal like for use in a b vent pipe but can be used for a number of other applications too they can be used with plastics rubber or plywood. The wooden bread layers of the sandwich keep the sheet metal flat and prevent the drill bit from wandering as it bores through the sheet metal.

Place corner pieces where panels will meet bends at the edge of the roofing. Once the punch is completely pulled through the hole is complete and. Drilling holes through a thin sheet of sheet metal such as that used for a roof s flashing does not require a lot of effort and will make attaching the sheet metal easier. Mark the locations where you want to secure it.

Amazon affiliate links listed below. Nail placement must be in the ribs for roofing applications to minimize the potential for roof leaks. Have you ever had to drill through metal. The correct way to fasten steel panels with nails is to drive the nail through the top of the rib so the washer is compressed securely against the metal.

Regardless of type self clinching fasteners install permanently in thin ductile metal sheets by being pressed into place in a properly sized drilled or punched hole and by applying sufficient squeezing force. These nails are specially designed to go through sheet metal and into wood and provide a seal that is hard for water to penetrate. Regardless of the material the driving point needs to be larger than the depth of the material being driven into. Here is a quick and efficient way of how to get the job done.

Drill pilot holes through the sheet metal that are smaller than the heads of the nails you are using to secure. Use 1 1 4 inch nails to cover the outline of the roof with strips of metal eave flashing also called edging. Over driving the nail can split the washer and dimple the metal causing leaks. How to nail sheet metal to wood step 1.

First of all don t hold the nail with your thumb if possible put it between your first two fingers with the back of your hand facing the timber. If there are gutters installed on the eaves the eave flashing should be installed to overhang the lip of the gutter by about 1 2 inch. Second you can put the bracket up mark a nail hole with a pencil sharpie put the bracket in your pouch and then wack a first nail hole a lot harder without the bracket to deal with.