Drilling concrete

[gtivr4]

I'm trying to add in a wall in my basement, and need to secure the bottom board to the concrete. I bought some of the blue tapcon screws that came with a bit, it doesn't work much at all, but that could be because I don't have a hammer drill. So how do I go about drilling a hole in concrete with a standard drill? I know it's not impossible...

 

[danski0224]

You have to get a masonry bit made to work with a regular drill.

They exist, and are available at most hardware stores/big boxes.

They do not work as well as a hammer/rotary hammer drill and the proper bit. Buy some extras.

 

[edsollen]

You really need to get a hammer drill, I am a contractor and use tapcons a lot, it is false economy to try to drill without a good hammer drill. The bits will overheat and dull quickly using a regular drill.
Spend the money for a good drill you won't regret it.
Joel

 

[Professur]

I used a Ramset myself. Cheap, fast, simple.

 

[gtivr4]

You really need to get a hammer drill, I am a contractor and use tapcons a lot, it is false economy to try to drill without a good hammer drill. The bits will overheat and dull quickly using a regular drill.
Spend the money for a good drill you won't regret it.
Joel

if I was doing this a lot, sure. But I really just need to do this one piece, so less than 10 holes. Not worth the investment into a hammer drill.

 

[edsollen]

I have never tried the bits danski referred to, they may be a good option.
Just make sure you used the correct size, too small and the tapcon will break off, of course too large and no grip.
Good luck.
Joel

 

[banzaitoyota]

The Force is not strong in this one. Go rent the right tool if its just a one off job

 

[Brad1234]

You could always rent the hammer drill or buy a cheap one. Also you should consider using pressure treated for the bottom plate of the stud wall if you haven't already thougt of it.

 

[Maddabe]

Just use a regular drill, but hit the back of it with a two pound mini sledge as you're drilling. Voila! instant hammer drill

 

[texas-saluki]

can you rent a hammer drill? They may have them at your local HD. Goes in like butter then. If not they are 70 at sears for a corded version http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...Tools&cName=Portable+Power+Tools&sName=Drills

 

[2chipped]

The bits they send with screws are worthless for more then 3 holes. You can buy bits at home dumpo or lowes for about $3 that last for about 200 holes. Also use 5\32 bit for 3\16 screw and 3\16 for 1\4 in hole and a hammerdill is a must for more then about 10 holes. Good luck

 

[Professur]

Just use a regular drill, but hit the back of it with a two pound mini sledge as you're drilling. Voila! instant hammer drill

ROFL

 

[mmhouse]

http://reviews.homedepot.com/1999/100091715/hd22-22-caliber-single-shot-tool-reviews/reviews.htm

 

[jamesemery728]

You will not believe how easy this will be with a hammer drill. Got a friend/relative that has one? Buy one, drill 10 holes and take it back. No, that would not be right. You can switch the hammer feature off and use it like a regular drill so it would not be a total waste if you bought one.

 

[Torque1st]

In years past I have drilled many holes with a regular drill motor and a masonry bit. Small holes are easier than large holes. They just take time and patience.

 

[JOHNMAN]

When I have used the blue tapcon screws, I have bought several of the special sized bits. Slow the drill down and it will help. I don't know for a fact if a hammer drill would work with those bits. The hammer drills I have used use special bits that only seem to fit hammer drills.

the tapcon bits do overheat and then become trash quickly.

 

[mtwaterguy]

What's the matter with using cement nails? That's what I did. Just use a BFH and it's done.

 

[danski0224]

The bits they send with screws are worthless for more then 3 holes.

I've drilled lots of holes with the supplied bits....

 

[danski0224]

Just use a regular drill, but hit the back of it with a two pound mini sledge as you're drilling. Voila! instant hammer drill

I had a boss tell me that once.

No, I am not kidding.

 

[BreBar21]

Like others have said, the included Tapcon bits are garbage. Try the Vermont American drill bits. They are a chrome-like finish bit in a red package, like this, (click). I've had great results with those. And, you do not need to buy or rent a hammer drill. For small jobs, a regular drill works fine.

 

[IH82BL8]

Use a Hilti gun.

 

[Featherweight]

Just for the record....when u do get that hole drilled....cut about 3 inches of electrical(12ga or 14ga THHN) wire and put it in the hole b4 u run your screw in there....you will get a tight snug fit every time.....

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've used the bit that comes with Tapcons numerous times, both with and with out a hammer drill. As a matter of fact, I drilled 5 holes yesterday.

When I have done it with a regular drill, I just work the drill in and out, making sure the dust comes out of the hole. Same thing goes for drilling through the treated 2x4 first, make sure the wood is cleaned off the bit before drilling into the concrete.

 

[SCutchins]

It's been a couple of years since I dabbled in building codes, and I'm not sure you are worrying about being to code or not, but I don't believe tapcon screws are to code anyway, I believe you have to use either ramset nails or lag bolts with anchors.

For your 10' wall I would buy the cheapest hammer-fired ramset and (literally) bang, you're done.