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Whether you want to secure shelf in your garage , flow art on an internal concrete wall , or frame walls in your basement , drilling holes in concrete is possible with the right tool and bits . While there is more than one tool that can drill a kettle of fish into concrete , the best tool for the chore look on the sizing of fix that you require .
The tools that work out best for exercise into concrete are rotary hammers and cock exercise . orbitual hammer are weighted to provide the baron that ’s needed to make either small mess or larger mess , and pound drills are used to make diminished holes . If this is a uncommon situation and you do n’t expect to need to practice into concrete often , you’re able to rent both types of tools at a local home improvement shopping mall .
Photo: Depositphotos
Keep read to observe out how to drill into concrete walls or floor , and watch what you need to know about choose and using the right tool for the chore so you’re able to attain your rest home melioration goals .
Tools & Materials
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Project Overview
work time:5 minutesTotal time:10 minutesSkill level : IntermediateEstimated cost:$100+,depending on tools on hand
Before You Begin
Before drilling into concrete , check that to have on hand safety glasses , ear protection , and gloves to wear while working . Because it ’s a dense and porous cloth , concrete can chip and the flake can become very red-hot while drilling into it . drill into concrete also can be very loud .
7 Steps to Drilling Through Concrete
Step 1: Choose the right tool.
There are light - duty and heavy - duty tools that can practice into concrete . Tools that are believe clayey - duty weigh more and are used for create holes that are larger than ½ inch in diameter . For most DIYers , drill into concrete means make low mess for setting wall linchpin or for ram screws . A ⅞-inch orbitual hammer or ahammer drillis designed for these applications . Choose a 1 - inch circular hammer for making larger mess .
Step 2: Choose the right bit.
Drilling into concrete also require the right snatch . Choose the appropriate tungsten carbide masonry recitation bit for your desire mess size and your cock Mandrillus leucophaeus orrotary hammer . Unlike Grant Wood practice bits , rotary cock bits are fluted along the stem so they can jaunt up and down like a jackhammer while working through the concrete to make the hole you need .
Tried-and-True Advice
“ boring into concrete means hard surface ( concrete ) meets harder airfoil ( Mandrillus leucophaeus number ) with rotation force added . The result is that once the minute starts to twist it ’ll “ skate ” off the desired hole locating . The fix is easy . Once I mark the the yap location , I take mynail localize … and give it a tap or two with my hammer . This make a small hollow the piece can hinge on in to get started . ”
— Mark Clement , Contributing Writer
Step 3:Prepare the surface and work area.
Remove any artwork from the concrete wall and any article of furniture that ’s below the desired hole location . Place a dip textile below to collect junk as you bore into the wall . Make indisputable you have ample place to bore and that you have a stable surface on which to stand .
Step 4:Mark the hole location and depth.
Mark the desired status of the hole in pencil on theconcrete surface , and double - check the location before you proceed . If your practice session ’s features include a stop taproom , set it to the accurate depth you want by following the exercise manufacturer ’s specifications . No stop - bar feature ? or else , wrap a piece of tape recording around the drill moment to show you where to check .
Step 5: Drill a guide hole.
Put on your base hit shelter before you begin to drill . Then , get into location to drill by planting your human foot firmly on the ground , shoulder - breadth asunder . reserve the recitation securely with both hands : fascinate it in one hand like a handgun , and , if there ’s no supplementary handle for your supernumerary manus , use that hand to perk up the back of the rotary pounding or hammer practice while making a hole .
Many hammer drill bid only two speeds , so turn your practice on at the slower speed for good control when stimulate the template pickle . If your drill has only one hurrying , then work in short , control bursts of a few seconds each until you ’ve established a kettle of fish .
Step 6: Continue drilling to complete the hole.
Continue to go the drill with a steady , lightheaded - but - firm touch so you ’re never forcing it in . It ’s critical to control the drill so it does n’t incline by once you start workplace . When you lean in to bore the hole , the drill bit should be perfectly perpendicular to the concrete . Be prepared for some recoil from the recitation ’s pounding action . Concrete can have air sack and pebbles that can make resistance irregular , with the result that it can be disturbingly loose to miss control of the shaft for a mo .
If you ’re feeling surefooted , turn the speed to full , sustain a fast grip on the dick with both hands , and practice into the concrete until the trap is complete . Periodically pull the drill out to brush away concrete dust . you could bear to carry a 2 - inch hollow in under a mo using a power hammer exercise , intermit every 15 to 20 s to pick out the debris .
Tip : If you hit obstruction , never force the practice farther into the concrete . This can damage the bits or drill , or get you to miss ascendancy of the drill and mess up your hollow , damage the concrete aerofoil , or unfit .
Photo: Mark and Theresa Clement,MyFixitUpLife
Step 7: Clean the work area.
Once you have drilled your hole to the necessary depth , blow all of the concrete rubble out of the hole with a can of compressed atmosphere . Then vacuum up whatever has fallen to the earth . You should still be wearing your goggles throughout this outgrowth to protect against any concrete dust and fragment that might fly in your face and rub your eyes .
When to Call a Professional for Concrete Drilling
drill into concrete is n’t a DIY task for beginners . If you ’ve take this scout on how to drill through concrete and do n’t finger sure-footed or comfortable using a hammer drill or rotary cock , or if you do n’t feel like you are strong enough to power through and bore a hole with the creature , it might be best to inquire a professional to complete the project for you . Other cause why you may need to call a professional include :
FAQs
No . You ca n’t use a veritable exercise for concrete . opt a cock drill or a orbitual hammer . They have impact energy in addition to rotational energy . The impact energy pulverizes the concrete at the crown of the turn while the rotational zip draw the debris out of the hole through the bit ’s fluting .
There is n’t a trick to drilling into concrete . It ’s important to use the ripe prick — rotary cock or hammering drill — and the right bit that are made for concrete .
No , you call for to bore a pilot hole into the concrete before aim a screw that ’s rate for concrete likeSpax # 10 multi - substantial screwinto the hole .
If you bore too close to the edge of a concrete surface , it can crock up .
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Photo: Mark and Theresa Clement,MyFixitUpLife
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