Bits for running wire?

[GarageGuy89]

Currently using spade bits to drill my holes to run additional outlets on a remodel. However, I keep hitting either framing nails or sheathing nails that I cannot see and the bit comes to a stand still.

I then have to re sharpen the bit, and drill another hole! to avoid the nail, only to find another nail....

Is there some kind of technique I am missing here. Alot of these nails are blind so there is no way to know where they are. Also, I tried using an auger bit, but that comes to a stand still as well, and I have no way to resharpen them. The spade bit just takes a few scrapes with the file and good as new...

 

[The Cobbler]

if you're hitting sheathing nails, IMO, you are to close to the edge of the stud. framing nails , if you stay away from the tops & bottoms of studs, you should be able to minimize the nails you hit. top plates, well, unless you look on top of them, it's a guess if you'll hit nails or not .
hope it helps

 

[Wirepuller]

More location than bit on this one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Git]

Shorty Nail Eater

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D7AGZ4K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Radix2]

Self feeding bits are a godsend if you are drilling more than a couple...nails do **** tho.....

Put those greenlees on your list!

 

[Richard Cranium]

I never knew they had shorty's. Looks like the way to go.

 

[theoldwizard1]

As a DIYer, I use Silver & Deming 3/4" or 1" bits.

My drill has triple gear reduction so you had better have the side handle on or if the bit grabs it will break your wrist.

 

[3rdgen]

all we use at work is the milwaukee auger or the greenlee nail eaters. The 18 inch are nice because you can stand on the floor and drill through the top plate.

 

[GarageGuy89]

Those will have to be a x-mas list item.

The issue is not the single studs, I can manage finding the nails 99% of the time on those. It's when you have three to six studs in a row for a window, that I start hitting those blind nails...

 

[mobiledynamics]

Long spades or long spades with extension.
Hit a nail or 2. Take it to grinder to give it a edge.
It's just the nature of a ~remodel~ vs. new const.

 

[MopardudeWI]

Irwin Speedbor MAX Speed bits work really nice for drilling those kinds of holes also and you can get them at Home D or Lowes. I dunno if they are designed to go through nails but I can tell you from experience with a good drill you can blast through them. Framing nails if you take one full on that will be a no go but I have taken the tips off of them with one. Spade bits are old school tech as far as drilling goes but they are cheaper to buy and easier to sharpen than any of the bits mentioned in here.

 

[ishiboo]

Bosch DareDevil spades are the way to go. Really fast.

 

[vartz04]

Bosch DareDevil spades are the way to go. Really fast.

+1 I have these as well

 

[lowrider2]

+2

but...they will grab the final 1/8" of the hole and smack your wrist for you. I let #2 son drill a bunch of holes this morning thru top plates and the headers on the big doors...never heard him cuss so much and he hates my 1/2' drill too.

It sure was nice to use a lift to get to the lights 16' up instead of using a ladder...wasn't cheap but it was worth it for sure.

Be careful out there.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Self feeding bits are a godsend if you are drilling more than a couple...nails do **** tho.....

Put those greenlees on your list!

You couldn't pay me to wire a house using those wrist breaking spade dits.

 

[vartz04]

+2



but...they will grab the final 1/8" of the hole and smack your wrist for you. I let #2 son drill a bunch of holes this morning thru top plates and the headers on the big doors...never heard him cuss so much and he hates my 1/2' drill too.



It sure was nice to use a lift to get to the lights 16' up instead of using a ladder...wasn't cheap but it was worth it for sure.



Be careful out there.

Run them on an impact driver. No issues then.