Need Help Drilling through brick problem

[bigben]

I need help with this. I have some letters to be installed with studs on an exterior brick wall. My installer went there with a hammer drill and wasn’t able to drill through, using 3 drill bits for 3 holes. We ordered some Diablo Rebar Demon drill bits but still couldn’t make a decent hole (used 4 bits). I’ve called the contractor, and the brick seems to be standard. He use a small hammer drill and never had a problem before. I didn’t try it myself, so I’m wondering what else we could do, or maybe there’s something my installer is doing wrong.

Thanks.

 

[BigNate]

I need help with this. I have some letters to be installed with studs on an exterior brick wall. My installer went there with a hammer drill and wasn’t able to drill through, using 3 drill bits for 3 holes. We ordered some Diablo Rebar Demon drill bits but still couldn’t make a decent hole (used 4 bits). I’ve called the contractor, and the brick seems to be standard. He use a small hammer drill and never had a problem before. I didn’t try it myself, so I’m wondering what else we could do, or maybe there’s something my installer is doing wrong.

Thanks.

there is a HUGE difference in quality of hammer drills - look for a good one... they are not inexpensive.

 

[bigben]

there is a HUGE difference in quality of hammer drills - look for a good one... they are not inexpensive.

Well, he use a Dewalt (smaller) model and I have a milwaukee m18 fuel small one. The problem is the drill bit are destroyed. So I assume the drill is not the culprit. I never had this kind of problem in 20 years. But if it could be resolved with another drill. Point me a milwaukee that would do the job.

 

[BigNate]

Well, he use a Dewalt (smaller) model and I have a milwaukee m18 fuel small one. The problem is the drill bit are destroyed. So I assume the drill is not the culprit. I never had this kind of problem in 20 years. But if it could be resolved with another drill. Point me a milwaukee that would do the job.

if the drill turns more than it hammers you will destroy bits.... drilling concrete and/or rock the turning of the bit is inconsequential to the actual drilling (it does help evacuate the cuttings)... think of the manual drills that have a 'plus' sign at the tip and no screw ridges on the sides -- these are meant to be hit with a hammer, rotated a little, hit again, repeat ad-nauseum. The actual cutting or boring happens from the impact without rotation - if you force a rotation it will chip the edges off of the cutting blade. A modern hammer drill should have a sharp enough impact so that the impact is the driving force, not the rotation - or if the rotation is dominant the bits dull very quickly without much progress, as you have seen.

 

[bigben]

if the drill turns more than it hammers you will destroy bits.... drilling concrete and/or rock the turning of the bit is inconsequential to the actual drilling (it does help evacuate the cuttings)... think of the manual drills that have a 'plus' sign at the tip and no screw ridges on the sides -- these are meant to be hit with a hammer, rotated a little, hit again, repeat ad-nauseum. The actual cutting or boring happens from the impact without rotation - if you force a rotation it will chip the edges off of the cutting blade. A modern hammer drill should have a sharp enough impact so that the impact is the driving force, not the rotation - or if the rotation is dominant the bits dull very quickly without much progress, as you have seen.

Well, good to know this information and it make sens. My drill is 3 years old but I don't know how old is his.

Can you recommend a good milwaukee model?

 

[BigNate]

Well, good to know this information and it make sens. My drill is 3 years old but I don't know how old is his.

Can you recommend a good milwaukee model?

I am not super familiar with their newest lineup, but the M18 Fuel has won awards and looking at the m18Fuel SDS Plus Rotary Hammer 2715 should do it.... but again I have not personally used this.... you can see the layout of the hammer mechanism seems to be better than the inline "slipper clutch" type of hammer that wears out quickly.

 

[bigben]

I am not super familiar with their newest lineup, but the M18 Fuel has won awards and looking at the m18Fuel SDS Plus Rotary Hammer 2715 should do it.... but again I have not personally used this.... you can see the layout of the hammer mechanism seems to be better than the inline "slipper clutch" type of hammer that wears out quickly.

It make sense. I will look into it. Thank you.

 

[Signsfyi]

Use a rotary hammer drill (instead of a regular hammer drill). I currently use a Devalt 20v rotary hammer drill. It cuts through most brick and concrete like butter.

 

[CanuckSigns]

If you have access to an electrical connection, get a boschhammer SDS drill, they turn very slowly but they will drill through brick and concrete like butter

 

[FireSprint.com]

As others have said, you need an SDS drill. Like a bosch bulldog. We have the Bosch bulldog, and also the Rigid 18v SDS. Both work really well. Either one is about 50x more effective than a standard hammer drill. This isn't an exaggeration. Not cheap, but a lifetime tool, and good bits will last a great long time. Buy once, cry once, and be done with it.

RIDGID 18V Brushless Cordless 1 in. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Tool Only) R86712B - The Home Depot

Enhance the beauty and strength of your floor by using RYOBI SDS Rotary Hammer Drill finish.

www.homedepot.com

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Power-Tools-Drills-Rotary-Hammers/N-5yc1vZc8wv/Ntk-elasticplus/Ntt-sds+plus?Ntx=mode+matchpartialmax&NCNI-5&visNavSearch=sds%20plus

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

You need an SDS drill. A regular drill that has a hammer function is like pissing in the wind. I have a battery powered DeWalt for 5 years and drilled countless holes and still perfect ..I'm sure they make one in your brand. Don't bother with corded unless you are doing many 1" diameter. that is a waste of time. Old people don't realize batteries are good now.

This is when I first bought it. Since then I only use the vacuum when indoors.

 

[unmateria]

We use a Dewalt dch133 and Dewalt or hilti bits. With 1 battery u can be all the morning drilling on concrete

 

[Moze]

In a lot of brick (I would say most), you can drill your holes for studs with a standard hammer drill as long as you use a good bit (Diablo, Bosch or Hilti). I don't know why someone would ever choose to do so over where there are SDS drills, but you can.

Some brick is simply much, much harder than other brick. That may be what you've ran into here. I can clearly remember one particular building in Dallas that gave my 20v SDS rotary hammer a run for its money, even with new bits. It was the hardest masonry I've ever drilled into, including concrete.

Even the 12v SDS rotary hammers will easily outperform a standard hammer drill. I owned the 12v Milwaukee SDS years ago. Never had any complaints. DeWalt finally came out with one, so the Milwaukee got bumped.

Do yourself a favor and get some Diablo Rebar Demon bits.

 

[netsol]

Well, he use a Dewalt (smaller) model and I have a milwaukee m18 fuel small one. The problem is the drill bit are destroyed. So I assume the drill is not the culprit. I never had this kind of problem in 20 years. But if it could be resolved with another drill. Point me a milwaukee that would do the job.

You need an SDS drill. A regular drill that has a hammer function is like pissing in the wind. I have a battery powered DeWalt for 5 years and drilled countless holes and still perfect ..I'm sure they make one in your brand. Don't bother with corded unless you are doing many 1" diameter. that is a waste of time. Old people don't realize batteries are good now.

This is when I first bought it. Since then I only use the vacuum when indoors.

i bought my black & decker commercial hammer drill in 1982 and it has drilled 10's of thousands of 7/8" holes in concrete, block, hard, evil tile



you want percussion bits, not, home depot garbage hammer drill bits

it is also worth getting one of those green wheels that allow you to sharpen them on the bench grinder.

 

[John Miller]

does the brick have a slick glaze on it? It may be what's called fire brick which is MUCH harder than standard red brick.

 

[mfatty500]

Try a diamond bit, with an SDS, or a Rotary Hammer drill. They are not cheap, but it will get the job done.