The Do’s and Don’ts of Drilling Steel Beams
If you stopped to think about how many steel beams are around you at any given time, you’d be amazed. Engineers use them to construct buildings and automobiles. But these beams rarely come premanufactured. This is where metal fabrication shops come in. Fabricators use tools like coping machines to cut holes in the items so people can use them for larger projects. Here are the do’s and don’ts of drilling steel beams that every metalworker needs to know.
Do Secure the Materials
Perhaps the most important rule of drilling steel beams is to secure the materials. If the beam slips while you’re cutting it, you can get injured and hurt other people at the shop. You need to make sure everything’s set before you start cutting.
Don’t Cut Too Closely
Never cut holes too close together. Holes that are too close may merge into one. The heat from the coping machine may make the two holes blend together, decreasing the accuracy of the cut. Make sure things are at least an inch apart to maintain consistency and precision.
Do Read the Manual
You have to use the right equipment when cutting holes through steel beams. Think of this analogy if you get confused: you wouldn’t use a butter knife to cut a steak. You need a top-of-the-line coping machine to make exact cuts. This is the only device that will get the job done. Luckily, Mac-Tech has plenty of options available for those who need this tool.
Don’t Ignore Safety
Cutting through any thick material is dangerous. However, slicing through steel is even more perilous because the heat from the machine could spark into your eyes. You should wear safety goggles every time you take on this task. In addition, think about getting some gloves to protect your skin from getting burned.
These do’s and don’ts of drilling steel beams will help anyone worried about the task. This is a dangerous job, but if you take the proper precautions, you can be safe while doing so. And getting equipment from the right manufacturer will serve you well into the future. Mac-Tech is the one-stop-shop for drilling machines and everything else metal shops may need.
