Tapcon drill bit adapter

[brooktre]

I need to install a few screws into concrete flooring where the concrete is very dense / hard. I bought some tapcon concrete anchors (screws) and the recommended tapcon carbide tipped drill bit. The instructions say to use a hammer drill if available. The drill bit end that connects to the drill has a flat side. Is there an adapter that allows this to be used with my rigid hammer drill?

 

[The Cobbler]

just chuck it up the way it is. that flat won't bother anything ( just put bit in deep enough to chuck evenly)

 

[Dirtydan69]

They do make a tapcon set that has the bit holder and a sleeve that slides over it with a set of different bits for different screws. Waste of money though if one time use. I take it your hammer drill has a chuck specific to certain shank drill bits. You could just buy the correct size concrete bit for your drill.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

They go into a normal 3-jawed chuck... grab it past the flat spot.

 

[brooktre]

I was mistaken and thought that my cordless impact driver could be used as a hammer drill. With a little research, I see that they are NOT the same. I only need to drill 3 holes. Will I be successful using a regular drill or should I spring for a hammer drill? It looks like the cheapest models are around $30. I'm hesitant to get cheap tools but also not wanting to spend $100 for something that will collect dust.

 

[mike93lx]

I was mistaken and thought that my cordless impact driver could be used as a hammer drill. With a little research, I see that they are NOT the same. I only need to drill 3 holes. Will I be successful using a regular drill or should I spring for a hammer drill? It looks like the cheapest models are around $30. I'm hesitant to get cheap tools but also not wanting to spend $100 for something that will collect dust.

Buy the harbor freight corded model. You'll definitely find more uses for it and especially for the money, it is worth having around. I bought mine for a project requiring 24- 3/8" holes and am very glad i did.

 

[tdellenburg]

If you only need a few holes, you can probably drill them w/o a hammer drill. Just keep a pan of water close and cool the bit occasionally, you can melt the cutter off the end. Worst case is you melt the cutter off and buy a new bit with your hammer drill when you go get it.
BTW, Bosch hands down makes the best masonry bits if you do have to get a new one.

 

[M_George]

For general around the house, I got the Harbor Freight one. About $30 plus 20% off if you use their coupon. You can print it from their Web site, or bring it up on a smart phone.

 

[Mhyde52]

You don't need a hammer drill. You don't need a special holder or chuck. Just drill the holes!

 

[mike93lx]

You don't need a hammer drill.

need? no. but it is a lot easier and faster and the bits last a lot longer.

for $30, I think it is a no-brainer.

 

[R. Johnson]

I ran into a similar problem, needing a hammer drill for just a few holes. I found a dewalt hammer drill for $30 or 40 at a pawn shop.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[brooktre]

Ok - thanks for the help. I guess I'll spring for a $30 model (HF has them and there are 2 choices at Home Depot). The pawn shops around here don't have much but I'll check a few.

 

[littletoes]

You don't need a hammer drill. You don't need a special holder or chuck. Just drill the holes!

AMEN........sheesh.

 

[tdellenburg]

AMEN........sheesh.

But that can't possibly work...it's too simple...

 

[KnurledNut]

Is there an adapter that allows this to be used with my rigid hammer drill?

You said you have a hammer drill...right?

 

[mike93lx]

You said you have a hammer drill...right?

If you actually read the thread, you'd know that the OP realized it was an impact driver not a hammer drill

 

[signcrafter]

You don't need a hammer drill. You don't need a special holder or chuck. Just drill the holes!

AMEN........sheesh.

But that can't possibly work...it's too simple...

I've installed thousands of tapcons and other anchors into concrete. Probably more like tens of thousands but I don't keep track. Have a dozen different hammer drills in all sizes. I've run into many times that your way would just burn the bit up. Try drilling into older concrete that is strong without a hammer drill and that bit will burn up and laugh at you. Can it be done. Sometimes. But if the conditions aren't right you will start burning up those bits and spend way more then the 30 bucks for a cheap hammer drill. If you even get one hole out of a bit. It's funny how guys that have drilled a hole or two and been successful jump down everyone else's throat over wanting to use the right tool.

 

[KnurledNut]

If you actually read the thread, you'd know that the OP realized it was an impact driver not a hammer drill

I didnt actually read the thread.

 

[tdellenburg]

AMEN........sheesh.

I've installed thousands of tapcons and other anchors into concrete. Probably more like tens of thousands but I don't keep track. Have a dozen different hammer drills in all sizes. I've run into many times that your way would just burn the bit up. Try drilling into older concrete that is strong without a hammer drill and that bit will burn up and laugh at you. Can it be done. Sometimes. But if the conditions aren't right you will start burning up those bits and spend way more then the 30 bucks for a cheap hammer drill. If you even get one hole out of a bit. It's funny how guys that have drilled a hole or two and been successful jump down everyone else's throat over wanting to use the right tool.

That's just funny right there! If you read the thread you'll see that I advised him to try it, to keep a pail of water to cool the bit, and warned him that he may burn the cutting edge off of it. But hey, if you want to spend 30 bucks to drill 3 holes 1 time, by all means, spend it!

BTW, I own numerous hammer drills, an SDS Plus and an SDS Max. I've put in a few tapcons myself.

 

[brooktre]

I'll spring for a $30 hammer drill. I'm drilling into a concrete slab floor in a 5th floor condo in Florida. I tried to pound a few carpet tack strips years ago and I remember that the concrete was exceptionally hard. I've used a regular drill for concrete block, but that was like butter compared to the floor. I'm sure I'll drill through block again so I should be able to get my cost per hole below $10 each!

 

[Mhyde52]

I've installed thousands of tapcons and other anchors into concrete. Probably more like tens of thousands but I don't keep track. Have a dozen different hammer drills in all sizes. I've run into many times that your way would just burn the bit up. Try drilling into older concrete that is strong without a hammer drill and that bit will burn up and laugh at you. Can it be done. Sometimes. But if the conditions aren't right you will start burning up those bits and spend way more then the 30 bucks for a cheap hammer drill. If you even get one hole out of a bit. It's funny how guys that have drilled a hole or two and been successful jump down everyone else's throat over wanting to use the right tool.

In this case, it's three tiny holes in a concrete floor. Three. Could have drilled the holes faster than it takes to read this whole thread. Would cost (me) as much in gas to go buy a hammer drill, as it would to buy a new tapcon bit, should there prove to be an issue rotary drilling three tiny holes in said concrete floor. I'd take that gamble any time.

That is all.

 

[FigureItOut]

I'm just glad that no one is telling the OP that a hammer drill won't do the job and that he should go rent an SDS.

 

[slow_mow]

I'm just glad that no one is telling the OP that a hammer drill won't do the job and that he should go rent an SDS.

EXACTLY! Just drill the holes. I doubt you will have a problem. You'll be surprised how easily it drills without a hammer drill. This forum kills me. Exactly why I don't post here very often.