How do I drill through very hard concrete (prefab)?

men8ifr · 12 Apr 2010

My garage is made of prefab concrete and I want to drill the walls to put some screws in the wall (so not drilled all the way through). The problem is the concrete is very tough and has lots of small stones in which seem to be even tougher.

A normal hammer drill makes little/no progress while my SDS hammer drill has such a heavy action it ends up knocking huge chunks out of the wall on the other side.

I'm wondernig if a diamond tile drill or something could be used?

r896neo · 12 Apr 2010

Will it not work by drilling a few pilot holes and building up to your required size?

PrenticeBoyofDerry · 12 Apr 2010

what condition are your bits in, cheap or blunt bits will cause problems.

noseall · 12 Apr 2010

I don't think you are going to have muck luck!

How thick are the concrete panels?

A couple of inches tops?

It would require some pretty accurate drilling in order to achieve the depth needed for a plug and screw.

You may be better off drilling a small pilot hole all the way through then drill the larger finishing hole from the face side. Then fill the holes on the face side once you have finished fixing.

men8ifr · 13 Apr 2010

The bits are good quality and I believe tungsten carbide tipped. I don't know if a brand new bit of the same type would be better/faster - maybe worth a go?

The smalest bit I have I think is 6mm what size pilots were you thinking of? I have tried all different sized bit - there didn't seem any benefit drilling with 6 then 8.

The panels are 1.5 to 2" thick - yes I have to be careful not to drill all the way through. The bigger problem though is the SDS drill punching through 1/2 or more of the panel leaving a big conical crater in the other side...

PrenticeBoyofDerry · 13 Apr 2010

try taking the drill off the hammer action, it will take a little longer, but if the bits are good, should reduce any damage.

men8ifr · 13 Apr 2010

Tried it I make no progress at all like that

Nige F · 16 Apr 2010

You need to re think it

Use a grab adhesive to bond lumps of wood to the panels - then fix to that

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How do I drill through very hard concrete (prefab)?

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