Please visit the Club's website https://www.dloc.org.uk/ to join. Visit https://www.dloc.org.uk/adhoc to DONATE towards the cost of the forum.
Please don't post someone's email address to avoid it being harvested by spambots and it's against GDPR regulations.
Always look at "ACTIVE TOPICS" to see all posts in date & time order as they are sometimes moved; or look at "Your Posts".
Please add Reg. nrs. when posting a photo or anything about a car as this will help searches. Don't add punctuation next to nr. as this negates search.
CHANGED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS since registering?, click your username and check your address in User Control Panel, Profile, Account Settings.
If you want help to register, use "contact us" at page bottom for help.

Drilling holes in dense concrete

Website Comments, instructions for REGISTERING and POSTING, Chat about anything
Post Reply
New Dexter
Wise Man
Wise Man
Posts: 555
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2016 9:41 am

Drilling holes in dense concrete

Post by New Dexter »

I have to drill some 8mm holes in some concrete walls. I have some angle brackets I need to screw to the wall and they will be fastened to the wall using No.12 screws.
I have a Hitachi drill with hammer facility but it's proving difficult to make much progress. So far I have managed almost one hole and there are another 31 to come. In the past I have used an SDS drill borrowed from a friend and that was far more successful. The concrete wall was made from a very strong concrete mix.
Does anyone have a recommendation please? Should I hire an SDS drill? I have the SDS bits, just not the drill....

JT7196
Extremely Wise Man
Extremely Wise Man
Posts: 1535
Joined: Sat Feb 13, 2016 7:22 am

Re: Drilling holes in dense concrete

Post by JT7196 »

Hire the Biggest, Meanest, Hammer Drill you can get your hands on, it will save you a lot of hard work !!

Cheers Al :D

classiclife
Classic Wise Man
Classic Wise Man
Posts: 1601
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:55 am
Location: Ridgewood - East Sussex
Contact:

Re: Drilling holes in dense concrete

Post by classiclife »

I purchased a Makita SDS drill and needed it a lot when erecting a number of greenhouse's on to concrete bases and retaining walls.

The drill is an absolute joy to use and will go through concrete like a hot knife through butter.

Would also add that having very decent SDS drill bits is a must - cheap stuff does not last long.

To answer your Q hiring one is a must or perhaps a late Xmas treat !!

Regards.

Richard.
1968 Daimler V8-250 Saloon
DLOC East Sussex Branch Secretary
DLOC 2.5L V8 & V8-250 Registrar - https://www.dloc.org.uk/v8-250
DLOC 2024 International Rally - https://www.dloc.org.uk/rally-2024

A.N.Other
Wide Man
Wide Man
Posts: 551
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 12:45 pm
Location: Leeds

Re: Drilling holes in dense concrete

Post by A.N.Other »

Totally agree with previous posters.
Normal hammer drills are too quick and just make heat rather than drill holes.
8mm should be no bother with a decent SDS but a pilot hole always makes life easier.
If doing a lot in one go, a squirt of water with a washing up liquid bottle also helps.
Colin,
I may be slow but I’m rough as well !

Sydsmith
Extremely Wise Man
Extremely Wise Man
Posts: 1369
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2016 11:15 pm
Location: Aberystwyth Wales

Re: Drilling holes in dense concrete

Post by Sydsmith »

No2 Son is a carpenter and gave me a 240 volt De Walt SDS drill many years ago when he had to change to 110, the old thing is superb and drilling just about anything.

Before you hire one, most builders use battery drills these days and have old 240 and 110 volt drills lying around, my son has several, they will sell them to you for a tenner or so, or they often turn up at car boot sales or garage sales and are a cheap as chips, well worth the investment. Syd

saratim
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:37 pm
Location: Sayreville, United States

Re: Drilling holes in dense concrete

Post by saratim »

You should not utilize SDS drill bits in a standard drill. The chuck on a standard rotating or hammer drill is not designed for SDS drill bits, so the bits can be loose, damage the drill and affect the quality of your overall work. Your work is a bit simpler, concrete screws are a good choice and use a standard drill.
I recommend buying from https://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/s ... _bolts.htm.

Post Reply