Bevis
Well-known member
At the point of running my conduit from Hose panel to the shop sub panel. I need to run my conduit thru the block wall to connect to the house panel. What's the best way to get thru the block wall?
Block Wall
- Thread starter Bevis
- Start date
rinny_tin_tin
Well-known member
You don't say how big a conduit - however, bore a hole with a diamond tipped core bit -- like
http://www.contractorsdirect.com/Concrete-Tools/Diamond-Core-Bits/MK-Black?mybuyscid=5073923966
OK, good. Filled block responds much better to hammer drilling than hollow block.
I would run the conduit though the center of a block, rather than through a core. If the block is filled, there's a good chance you'll encounter a stick of rebar in the center of the core, which cannot be drilled though.
Use a core bit mounted in a hammer drill. Size it about 1/2" to 3/4" dia. larger than the OD of your conduit.
Start by drilling a pilot hole though the wall SMALLER than the pilot bit of the core drill right though the web of a block. Then, start a core bit of suitable size on the pilot. Every few inches you'll have to pull the core bit and break out the core with a chisel. About half to 3/4's of the way though, withdraw the core bit and start from the other side. This way, you'll avoid a huge spalling breakout where the bit exits the wall.
Once though, install your conduit. When your electrical installation is done, grout the conduit though the wall using gray polymer fortified grout and a grout bag. You're done!
I would run the conduit though the center of a block, rather than through a core. If the block is filled, there's a good chance you'll encounter a stick of rebar in the center of the core, which cannot be drilled though.
Use a core bit mounted in a hammer drill. Size it about 1/2" to 3/4" dia. larger than the OD of your conduit.
Start by drilling a pilot hole though the wall SMALLER than the pilot bit of the core drill right though the web of a block. Then, start a core bit of suitable size on the pilot. Every few inches you'll have to pull the core bit and break out the core with a chisel. About half to 3/4's of the way though, withdraw the core bit and start from the other side. This way, you'll avoid a huge spalling breakout where the bit exits the wall.
Once though, install your conduit. When your electrical installation is done, grout the conduit though the wall using gray polymer fortified grout and a grout bag. You're done!
dipper
Well-known member
Yes it can, it just takes a good core bit and a good drill.
Sounds like the OP got it all set; and coring through concrete is fun.
Yes it can, it just takes a good core bit and a good drill.
Sounds like the OP got it all set; and coring through concrete is fun.
With a diamond core drill, yes.
Not with a carbide hammer-type core drill.
My Hilti hammer-type core drills have specific language on the packaging that prohibits the drilling of re-bar. Just hitting a stick can be enough to chip the carbide and destroy the tool. ($250 and up)
Hitting a stick of rebar stops the progress and chews up your tool.