Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

How to Bang Out a Circle in Metal

Punching is a way of cutting metal by applying shearing force, according to CustomPartNet. To "bang out" or knock out a circle in metal, as opposed to drilling or sawing a hole, you need a metal knockout punch or similar tool. With this, you can make a hole in metal up to a thickness of 16 gauge.

Things You'll Need

Scrap wood
Electric drill and drill bit
Knockout punch
Wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Place the metal on your work bench on a piece of scrap wood.
- 2
  Drill a pilot hole all the way through the metal, of a diameter slightly wider than the bolt on your chosen knockout punch.
- 3
  Unscrew the knockout punch and thread the bolt through the pilot hole, then screw the cutting head in place, facing the metal.
- 4
  Tighten the draw stud of the knockout punch with a wrench so the mating threads of the bolt draw the cutting head into the metal.
- 5
  Tighten the draw stud until the teeth of the cutting head pierce through the metal and cut the hole.

Other Hobbies