How to Fasten Sheet Metal
- 1). Lay one piece of sheet metal on top of the other and drill the appropriate size holes into the two pieces of sheet metal. Use a drill bit that is the same size as the self-clinching fasteners. Drill holes about 1/2-inch apart along the entire portion of sheet metal where the two sheets overlap.
- 2). Align the holes in the sheet metal.
- 3). Lay the pieces of sheet metal on the table of a machine press.
- 4). Align the first set of holes in the sheet metal in the middle of the press.
- 5). Insert the shank of the nut into the aligned holes. The shank is the end of the nut with ridges on the surface.
- 6). Lower the press and stamp the sheet metal so the head of the nut is embedded into the sheet metal. The self-clinching fastener is designed to automatically lock itself into place, forming a permanent bond between the two pieces of sheet metal. Always wear safety goggles when operating a machine press.
- 7). Repeat this process and insert self-clinching fasteners in all the holes in the sheet metal.
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