Tool Emergency! Need Help!

[Coach James]

Alright guys, I need some help.

Tonight I started drilling 1.5 inch diameter holes for new floor anchors. Got part way down in first hole and hit was appears to be steel wire, I'm guess reinforcing mesh. I was told prior that there was no wire reinforcement.

How do I get through this? I know there are rebar cutters like:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QFYPY0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My fear is that as it cuts the mesh, the concrete would damage the cutters on the bit and ruin it on the first hole.

I have a SDS plus and SDS Max rotary hammer.

Is there another type of bit that will cut both mesh and concrete?

I need to get these holes drilled in the next 4 days.

Thanks!

Coach

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

Just make sure it is NOT a post tension cable - those you DO NOT want to cut

 

[KnurledNut]

If its just mesh, the bit will eventually cut through it.

 

[Advan]

Keep the drill going, but don't put as much downforce on it as normal. In fact, you may need to hold the weight of the drill up so that the hammer action is barely working. eventually the sound will change as the bit chews through the steel. No big deal.

 

[Coach James]

Thanks guys. The rental house only had one Max bit in that size and it is dull as can be so that may be why it was so slow going. It was slow going through the concrete before I hit the mesh.

I may need to spring for a new bit or 2 myself.

Coach

 

[Al Borland]

Core drill with a diamond bit would have you done in a few minutes.

 

[2oolhound]

I sharpen the the carbide bits on my grinder. They are a simple edge to sharpen. Makes a big difference.

 

[mbshop]

Can't just move the hole over a tad ?

 

[redwrench60]

Can't just move the hole over a tad ?

Winner!

 

[gdocktor3]

Can't just move the hole over a tad ?

You must be an engineer....

 

[bcradio]

This will get through it, but you'd have to wait for shipping.

http://www.cripedistributing.com/hawera-by-bosch-232919-1-1-2-x-12-x-17-sds-max-q-drill-bit-germany.html

 

[Showkey]

You must be an engineer....

Nope...... the engineer would be freaking out ........the guy with the actual drill would just move the hole.

 

[Coach James]

Can't move the hole, plus we have to drill four of them. These are going to be anchors for a ring tower which has to fit in with our other equipment.

https://www.americanathletic.com/gymnastics-product.aspx?id=92&Intl+ELITE™+Ring+Tower

The holes have to be at specific distances from the tower bases.

Coach

 

[Lassen Forge]

Core drill with a diamond bit would have you done in a few minutes.

This. I was exposed to this working on bridges years and years ago, and I wouldn't try to do it any other way.

Check your local rental yard - ours has both the drill motor and diamond core drills, make sure you have a water source, and there ya go. Those core drills will go thru anything - concrete, wire, rock, rebar, copper water lines (don't ask!), but it's the only way to get a decent hole that size. And then it even looks good.

Otherwise you're looking at an exercise in frustration...

 

[Mechanico]

One thing you could do is drill a hole on down past the metal with a smaller bit. That way you can punch all the concrete away from the wire. Then if you can find a hole saw that fits the hole perfectly to run with your regular drill, saw the metal out, then put the hammer drill back in and finish the hole.
Of course you might no have room to drill a hole beside the steel. A concrete hole saw is needed really.

You might even be able to chisel the metal out of the way with a 45 degree angle sharp chisel if its wire only and not rebar. It would be nice to have a bit like that to put in the hammer drill and use it in chisel mode.

 

[FMC1959]

Rebar would be a challenge but wire mesh shouldn't be that bad. Just keep at it and you should go through. The bits are carbide tipped, if it is super dull, a good file or a shot on a bench grinder should help.

 

[Coach James]

Sorry I forgot to update this thread. I ordered a new carbide tip bit and it went through like butter. Anchors are in and the tower is up.

Thanks for the help.

Not sure why the pics are sideways.

Coach

 

[p_mori7]

Fixed it for you Coach.

 

[Coach James]

Thanks p mori7!

How did you do that?

Coach

 

[Richard Cranium]

looks like a lot of free laborers.

 

[p_mori7]

Thanks p mori7!

How did you do that?

Coach

Saved the pics to my laptop, then rotated view 90*, then re-uploaded using PostImage.Org (free) while re-sizing to 640x480.

I suspect you used a smartphone held horizontally when you took the photos and it flipped them when you either loaded to your 'puter or posted from your phone.

 

[rick carpenter]

Can't just move the hole over a tad ?

You must be an engineer....

Engineers don't do "tads"! I think the engineer's oath requires them to re-analyze the whole project. This could take days!

 

[Coach James]

looks like a lot of free laborers.

I wish. Three parent volunteers, the rest are on my payroll.

Coach