How to safely poke 1/2" holes in a steel filing cabinet, with hand tools, please?

So, I have to build a scary looking metal cabinet for a theatre show. It's supposed to be a mid-century era electronic device, a waist-high box on casters, with blinky lights. I had the idea of buying an old filing cabinet from the second-hand store, painting it gunmetal gray, and putting some dome lights on it. The goal is to put some small holes in the steel and then glue dome light covers over them, and poke in some string lights to illuminate it. But I have never worked much with metal. I do not know how to poke holes in steel safely with hand tools. Internet says filing cabinets are often made of 18-gauge steel. What tools do I need to do this right? Any safety tips, other than wear gloves and eye protection? I only have four days to get this done, and very few facilities! My skill level is "can change sparkplugs if I have a car manual and YouTube." Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks in advance. submitted by /u/phenomenomnom [link] [comments]

Jun 2, 2025 - 10:18

So, I have to build a scary looking metal cabinet for a theatre show. It's supposed to be a mid-century era electronic device, a waist-high box on casters, with blinky lights.

I had the idea of buying an old filing cabinet from the second-hand store, painting it gunmetal gray, and putting some dome lights on it. The goal is to put some small holes in the steel and then glue dome light covers over them, and poke in some string lights to illuminate it.

But I have never worked much with metal. I do not know how to poke holes in steel safely with hand tools. Internet says filing cabinets are often made of 18-gauge steel.

What tools do I need to do this right? Any safety tips, other than wear gloves and eye protection?

I only have four days to get this done, and very few facilities!

My skill level is "can change sparkplugs if I have a car manual and YouTube."

Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks in advance.

submitted by /u/phenomenomnom
[link] [comments]