Drilling into concrete - 3/4 hole - basic hammer drill enough

[racerock]

OK, so I'll probably do a test hole somewhere, but want to see if I can get some feedback from guys that have installed their own lift...

- I have two brand new 3/4 Irwin masonry drill bits - IRWIN 322048 SDS-Plus 3/4" x 10" x 12" hammer drill bit
- I also have a 1/2 " electrick DeWalt hammerdrill.

Think this will be able to drill 10 3/4 inch holes for the anchors into very good concrete?

I have considered renting one of the better drills, but I think that this drill and these bits might do a good job to drill 10 holes with the two new bits. I am considering drilling a test hole somewhere else (not in my garage floor)

Thanks.

 

[Thedroid]

Try it! It either drills or it don't.

 

[racerock]

Try it! It either drills or it don't.

Yeah, I know... right... just hate to waste the bit on a test hole, or put a hole in without the lift in position, and hate to have the lift in position and then find out it does not drill and have to run out to rent a drill...

 

[Test Pilot]

When I installed my lift I placed the two post in place. Then measured the exact distance between the post as this is the most crictical. I then drew a template on the floor for the holes. Then I moved the post out of the way so the post would not inter-fear with drilling the holes. Then comes what I think was the most important part !! I found a Industrial Hammer Drill and I think this was THE KEY TO SUCESS !! The drill was a Hilti and this thing rocked. It turned the bit very slow and had a ratcheting effect that pounded a perfect hole. All in all when I was installing my lift I thought that the anchor system was the most important fact so I tried to get the holes as near perfect as possible. I hope this helps you.--------------------------------------- From reading some of these post it sounds like the drill I used was a rotary hammer !! And it really did work well >>>>.

 

[Steevo]

I spent two hours trying to drill 4 holes in my garage floor to mount my bender, using a DeWalt 18v hammer drill. What a waste of time, and it pretty much wore out the hammer drill.
The next time I saw a good Bosch SDS corded hammer drill for sale on C/L I bought it.
When I needed another hole in concrete, it was soo much easier and faster.

 

[tcianci]

A good industrial quality hammer drill will make it seem like going through wood. Although it sounds like you probably have enough fire power right now. One trick to accurately placing holes in concrete is to pilot the hole with a smaller drill first. Maybe start with a 3/16 and then a 3/8 and then finish it up with the 3/4

 

[srmofo]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37460

Just ignore all the drama in the middle. It costs less than a rental and if you dont see yourself needing it again anytime soon, whats to lose? If it breaks in the first few days, they will warranty it or return it

 

[Perryk]

I just installed my Whip 2 post lift. I borrowed by friends big *** Hitachi hammer drill. I had to spend $48 to buy a new 3/4" splined bit but it was worth every penny. I didnt want to chance making an over sized hole when using wedge style anchors.

I say either rent or borrow and GOOD hammer drill which require either an SDS or splined bit. I think they hammer harder and have the power needed to get through any tough spots.

I snapped chalk lines on my floor. Double/triple checked them with different reference points. Lifted my posts and positioned them in place. Lifted my overhead crossbar to ensure it was close. Shimmed my posts to vertical. rechecked my lines.....and then drilled through the holes in the baseplates all while using a shop vac to clear the dust...

Worked well and all the anchors tightened perfectly (125 ft/lb).

Perry

 

[littletoes]

3/4" holes are actually small for us guys that do 'em all the time.

Don't be so scared, drill em.

(I just gave away a 1" SDS bit that fit the smaller rotohammers, sorry!).

 

[rickairmedic]

I agree with srmofo . Grab a 20% off coupon and go grab a 1" SDS from HF . I have one I have been using for many many years in my HVAC buis. I have never had a problem with it .


Rick

 

[Greatbear]

My vote is to use a rotary hammer instead of the hammerdrill.

 

[MattT]

Get a SDS chucked rotary hammer. All attempting to drill 3/4" holes with a hammer drill will do is raise your blood pressure.

 

[gmwelder86]

Agreed you need a rotary hammer drill not a "hammer drill" Those might be ok for 1/4" holes but 3/4" you need a decent rotohammer and bit. I would suggest a hilti bit and gun of your choice. In years of the pipe trade I have found hilti to be the best when it comes to rotohammer bits.

 

[rhastings80]

When I drilled some holes I found that the drill bits only lasted for about 3 or 4 holes and then the bit was worn out.

 

[W650Mike]

I rented a big *** Hilti, drilled all the holes for my two post and had it back at the store in just under two hours.

If I may suggest - set the posts in place and drill through the base. Let the base plate keep the drill from walking off as you start the hole.

 

[jocool1585]

Rent the drill and a bit - should cost less than the bits you already bought.

 

[5lima30]

Use a CORDED hammer drill such as Makita, Hitachi etc. and it will drill all your holes in minutes. Also use a little water on the bit to keep it cool + keeps the dust down. YMMV.

 

[djjsr]

I use a hammer drill for small holes, smaller than 1/2". For bigger stuff, I use a rotary hammer from HF. I got a little better set of bits and haven't found anything that it won't drill. Works great for a cheap tool.

 

[racerock]

Thanks a mil for all the replies - and an update...

Thanks to everyone for the replies, they were all great. In all honesty, in checking in, I figured a couple people would have replied, but 17 total. Nice.

So I went out and confirmed, I do have the Irwin SDS bits. I had bought 3/8" and 3/4" (two each) just to have. I got a smoking hot deal from an ebay seller...all 4 for about what a 3/4 would cost from Home Depot...

I talked with a good friend that is in industrial construction this morning as we had been playing some phone tag. I have used the Hilti in the past (borrowed from my work at the time, and that is one of the reasons I was asking - I really like them...) My friend has the same Dewalt and uses Hilti at his work. His thought that I would be o.k. with the Dewalt I have...

SO, I marked my first hole in the spot (as I did not want to wait to get the thing in there and then find out I have an issue)

Started with the pilot 3/8 - went in really nice to the full depth of about 4" or so. Vacuumed it out.

Then put the 3/4 in and it went in nice. Stopped to vacuum a couple times. Went down to 6 1/2" to see how the bore looks and it looks good. Part of my goal was to confirm the depth of the concrete tonight.

SO, I still may rent/buy an SDS just to use/have because I don't really want to get into where an anchor stud does not hold and I have to drop back and use epoxy because it is a little cold right now.

We are planning on putting it in this weekend - at least get the uprights/cross in.

 

[racerock]

Lift is installed, assembled and operational.

Ended up using the HF hammer drill - worked better than the dewalt, and I did not need to change bits. Used a vacuum cleaner held close when drilling to **** out the dust.

 

[rickairmedic]

Good to hear now we need pictures . you will be surprised how many things you find to do with that HF SDS drill .


Rick