I need to mount a new mailbox on the sidewalk. To do this I'll need to drill a few holes into concrete to place the anchors. Is it worthwhile for just this task to buy a hammer drill? I don't anticipate needing to drill masonry again. What brand and type of masonry bit would work well with a regular 1/2" drill?
drilling concrete
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Originally Posted By: tonycarguy
I need to mount a new mailbox on the sidewalk. To do this I'll need to drill a few holes into concrete to place the anchors. Is it worthwhile for just this task to buy a hammer drill? I don't anticipate needing to drill masonry again. What brand and type of masonry bit would work well with a regular 1/2" drill?
Carbide tipped masonary bit.
I need to mount a new mailbox on the sidewalk. To do this I'll need to drill a few holes into concrete to place the anchors. Is it worthwhile for just this task to buy a hammer drill? I don't anticipate needing to drill masonry again. What brand and type of masonry bit would work well with a regular 1/2" drill?
Carbide tipped masonary bit.
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: tonycarguy
I need to mount a new mailbox on the sidewalk. To do this I'll need to drill a few holes into concrete to place the anchors. Is it worthwhile for just this task to buy a hammer drill? I don't anticipate needing to drill masonry again. What brand and type of masonry bit would work well with a regular 1/2" drill?
Carbide tipped masonary bit.
+1 It's a little slower but worked for me on the couple of rare times I needed to drill into concrete.
John
Originally Posted By: tonycarguy
I need to mount a new mailbox on the sidewalk. To do this I'll need to drill a few holes into concrete to place the anchors. Is it worthwhile for just this task to buy a hammer drill? I don't anticipate needing to drill masonry again. What brand and type of masonry bit would work well with a regular 1/2" drill?
Carbide tipped masonary bit.
+1 It's a little slower but worked for me on the couple of rare times I needed to drill into concrete.
John
I went and bought a hammer drill at Harbor Freight, it was very reasonably priced and is convertable to a regular drill, its a big drill. Might want to go that route, a man can never have enough power tools and you have a excuse now.
^Tim Allen agrees!^
Masonary bit, a little water, and a regular drill worked ok for me last week for drilling post bases in 30yo concrete.
Concrete contains stones. I imagine if you hit a hard stone straight on with the regular drill, your progress will slow down to a crawl. I think this is what happened to me one time.
I have drilled concrete several times with a regular drill with no problems. One time I had to borrow a hammer drill and it made all the difference in the world.
Maybe check out how much it is to rent one, IF you find out the regular drill didn't work.
I have drilled concrete several times with a regular drill with no problems. One time I had to borrow a hammer drill and it made all the difference in the world.
Maybe check out how much it is to rent one, IF you find out the regular drill didn't work.
Last time I needed to drill 4 holes in concrete I bought a cheap hammer drill for NZ$16 (given our exchange rates,that must be a US$4 drill)That was 4 years ago,and I've drill about 40 holes in concrete and countless holes in steel and wood with it.
Can't you just rent a drill ?
Most rental places have them for very little an hour
drill the hole with a masonary bit it works and its easy they also make special tap bolts you drill a hole then take your drill and attach the driver bit and its done, drama free in no time
Try your regular drill.
But renting is a very good option.
But renting is a very good option.
Don't you have a friend/neighbor that will lend you a drill motor and bit ??......
..
Can you use:
1) a regular drill: yes
- but your going to really have to lean on it to bore thought the concrete, and hard on any drill. as mentioned above, hope you dont hit any rocks......
2) a regular wood/plastic drill bit: yes
-unless you have a 'Drill Doctor' or a jig to resharpen the bit, you may as well trash it.
- BOSCH concrete/masonry bits are industry leaders.
Since you dont anticipate doing much concrete drilling, your local HomeDepot can rent you a rotary hammer drill (say a BOSCH 1124) and a bit for reasonable price and the job will be done quickly and accurately without any hassles.
Using a regular drill and bit may not give you the results you may want; 1/4" or 3/8" hole may turn out to be anything but.....
Good luck
J
Can you use:
1) a regular drill: yes
- but your going to really have to lean on it to bore thought the concrete, and hard on any drill. as mentioned above, hope you dont hit any rocks......
2) a regular wood/plastic drill bit: yes
-unless you have a 'Drill Doctor' or a jig to resharpen the bit, you may as well trash it.
- BOSCH concrete/masonry bits are industry leaders.
Since you dont anticipate doing much concrete drilling, your local HomeDepot can rent you a rotary hammer drill (say a BOSCH 1124) and a bit for reasonable price and the job will be done quickly and accurately without any hassles.
Using a regular drill and bit may not give you the results you may want; 1/4" or 3/8" hole may turn out to be anything but.....
Good luck
J
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