TUBE AND SHEET DRILLS – the ideal solution for drilling sheet metal and plastics

WHAT ARE TUBE AND SHEET DRILL BITS?

Tube and sheet drill bits are a special type of drill bit designed for drilling holes in thin materials such as sheet metal and plastic sheets.

They feature a conical shape that allows the hole diameter to increase gradually, providing excellent accuracy and a smooth drilling process.

THE MAIN ADVANTAGE OF TUBE AND SHEET DRILL BITS

One of the main advantages of tube and sheet drill bits is that they do not deform the workpiece during drilling.

Unlike twist drill bits, which immediately cut the required diameter, a tube and sheet drill bit starts with a small diameter and gradually enlarges the hole.

As a result, significantly less force is applied to the workpiece, preventing bending and damage.

APPLICATIONS OF TUBE AND SHEET DRILL BITS

1. Drilling sheet metal: Tube and sheet drill bits are ideal for producing accurate holes in thin metal materials such as steel and aluminium. They are particularly useful wherever multiple hole sizes need to be drilled using a single tool.
2. Working with plastics: These drill bits are also well suited for drilling plastics because they minimise the risk of material cracking while leaving clean, smooth holes.
3. Countersinking holes: Tube and sheet drill bits can also be used for countersinking holes and removing sharp edges and burrs after drilling, improving both hole quality and workplace safety.

THE FUNCTION OF THE FLUTE

The flute acts as a channel for collecting and removing chips.

Efficient chip evacuation is essential because otherwise excessive heat builds up, causing the drill bit to overheat.

Tube and sheet drill bits are available with either spiral flutes or straight flutes.

The flutes ensure exceptionally smooth operation and high cutting performance.

PROFESSIONS AND APPLICATIONS WHERE TUBE AND SHEET DRILL BITS ARE USED

Tube and sheet drill bits are widely used across many industries:

• Electrical engineering: For installing cable glands and electrical connections in control cabinets.
• Automotive industry: For manufacturing and modifying vehicle body panels and other automotive components.
• Mechanical engineering: For producing accurate holes in metal parts.
• DIY and home workshops: For versatile repair and modification work on a variety of materials.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SIZE AND TYPE OF DRILL BIT

1. Drill bit size: Select the drill bit according to the maximum hole diameter required. OREN tube and sheet drill bits feature clearly marked step sizes on the body of the drill bit, making it easy to monitor both drilling depth and hole diameter.
2. Drill bit type: On our website you can choose from two types of tube and sheet drill bits. Both are manufactured from HSS (high-speed steel), making them suitable for general-purpose drilling in softer materials such as plastics and thin sheet metal.

• Standard tube and sheet drill bits with straight flutes (Item No. 3501)
• Grooved tube and sheet drill bits with spiral flutes (Item No. 3502) – In addition to the main chip-removal flute, this design features special grooves across the entire surface of the drill bit. These further reduce friction, provide smoother drilling and lower operating temperatures, thereby increasing both drilling efficiency and tool life.