Hey folks, I'm in a 1988 'new build' constructed entirely of engineering brick - and it's of the toughest type. Judging by several posts here (and replies like you need an SDS ) I'd say not many have encountered engineering brick. There's a 4" cavity behind the brick facade followed by light blocks.
My usual process with 7mm plugs is to get a 'punch' going with a pointed diamond bit before SDS'ing - the surface is way too smooth for non-hammer action starts. Even then, the hollow core of the brick mostly results in splitting. All my waste pipes, boiler flu etc. have had to be cemented around the edges despite using new diamond core bits.
So: I now find myself hanging a 10ft span of 4x2 and I'm thinking resin anchors (M12 or M14). This would serve as a top plate for a lean to with joist hangers etc.
The brick has the usual 3 holes and I fear an additional 12/14mm bore (plus all the vibration from the SDS) would result in total destruction, shattering and a complete breakdown of the brick.
My usual process with 7mm plugs is to get a 'punch' going with a pointed diamond bit before SDS'ing - the surface is way too smooth for non-hammer action starts. Even then, the hollow core of the brick mostly results in splitting. All my waste pipes, boiler flu etc. have had to be cemented around the edges despite using new diamond core bits.
So: I now find myself hanging a 10ft span of 4x2 and I'm thinking resin anchors (M12 or M14). This would serve as a top plate for a lean to with joist hangers etc.
The brick has the usual 3 holes and I fear an additional 12/14mm bore (plus all the vibration from the SDS) would result in total destruction, shattering and a complete breakdown of the brick.
- Do I need to drill through both the outer and inner walls of the brick? Surely not as all the resin would just fall down the back?
- If I drill just the front face with a 12mm core bit and catch one of the 3 brick holes, I'm still left with a huge opening requiring a lot of resin but more worryingly, the M12 threaded rod would only fit approx 40mm in: That doesn't sound like a lot to me!