Nailing Through Sheet Metal

For clean precise holes in thin sheet metal make a wood sandwich.

Nailing through sheet metal.

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 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. 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.

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. Have you ever had to drill through metal. Use 1 1 4 inch nails to cover the outline of the roof with strips of metal eave flashing also called edging. Sheet metal can best be attached with roofing nails.

Here is a quick and efficient way of how to get the job done. Nail placement must be in the ribs for roofing applications to minimize the potential for roof leaks. Put your sheet metal in place on top of the wooden frame. 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.

Simply sandwich the sheet metal between two pieces of wood and clamp everything down on a table or workbench. Drill pilot holes through the sheet metal that are smaller than the heads of the nails you are using to secure. Place corner pieces where panels will meet bends at the edge of the roofing. Amazon affiliate links listed below.

Position the sheet metal. Over driving the nail can split the washer and dimple the metal causing leaks. Regardless of the material the driving point needs to be larger than the depth of the material being driven into. These nails are specially designed to go through sheet metal and into wood and provide a seal that is hard for water to penetrate.

Mark the locations where you want to secure it. 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. How to nail sheet metal to wood step 1.