Best way to drill a 1" hole in cinder block?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best way to drill a 1" hole in cinder block?

Archer36 Member Joined Apr 2003 Posts 1646 EE Offline MI, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 10:47:31 AM EST I need to run some cords through a wall that has the traditional gray cinder block. I have a milwaukee 7.5 amp 1/2" chuck hammer drill at my disposal. Should I try the largest bit my drill can handle, which is a 3/4". Or should I get a 1/4" bit drill lots of little holes and punch out the center? Thanks!
	"Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." -- James Madison

lildavid67 Team Member Joined Mar 2006 Posts 1414 EE Offline WV, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 10:48:25 AM EST [Last Edit: 6/3/2008 10:49:58 AM EST by lildavid67] .45 ACP twice? j/k Most hardware stores carry a full line of masonry bits for your drill. I wouldn't drill smaller holes in a circle and punch it through. Cinder blocks don't always break apart uniformally.
	Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

patriot73

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Posted: 6/3/2008 10:49:00 AM EST

Originally Posted By Archer36:
I need to run some cords through a wall that has the traditional gray cinder block. I have a milwaukee 7.5 amp 1/2" chuck hammer drill at my disposal. Should I try the largest bit my drill can handle, which is a 3/4". Or should I get a 1/4" bit drill lots of little holes and punch out the center?

Thanks!

Lots of little holes drilled into a larger circle slowly with a hammer drill, then tap out the center like with any other masonry. CMU's like to shatter, be careful.

The voices in my head don't like you.

Matt_The_Hokie Silly Teenager Joined Feb 2008 Posts 614 EE Offline VA, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 10:49:10 AM EST do it the ARFCOM WAY! acquire a weapon in the 23-25mm range and punch a hole in that wall...and everything behind it for a city block.
	"Losers find excuses, winners find solutions." - Anonymous "Rule #76: No excuses. Play like a champion!" - Wedding Crashers

azeyecap Joined Jul 2006 Posts 552 EE Offline AZ, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 10:49:32 AM EST cock pushups

GrIlLa

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Posted: 6/3/2008 10:50:58 AM EST

Originally Posted By patriot73:

Originally Posted By Archer36:
I need to run some cords through a wall that has the traditional gray cinder block. I have a milwaukee 7.5 amp 1/2" chuck hammer drill at my disposal. Should I try the largest bit my drill can handle, which is a 3/4". Or should I get a 1/4" bit drill lots of little holes and punch out the center?

Thanks!

Lots of little holes drilled into a larger circle slowly with a hammer drill, then tap out the center like with any other masonry. CMU's like to shatter, be careful.

What is this today? home improvements 101?

I again agree with Patriot 73

Barack Hussein Obama "Socialism We Can Believe In"

patriot73

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Posted: 6/3/2008 10:51:52 AM EST

Originally Posted By GrIlLa:

Originally Posted By patriot73:

Originally Posted By Archer36:
I need to run some cords through a wall that has the traditional gray cinder block. I have a milwaukee 7.5 amp 1/2" chuck hammer drill at my disposal. Should I try the largest bit my drill can handle, which is a 3/4". Or should I get a 1/4" bit drill lots of little holes and punch out the center?

Thanks!

Lots of little holes drilled into a larger circle slowly with a hammer drill, then tap out the center like with any other masonry. CMU's like to shatter, be careful.

What is this today? home improvements 101?

I again agree with Patriot 73

Eh, we got nothing better to do

The voices in my head don't like you.

tony555

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Posted: 6/3/2008 10:52:15 AM EST

Originally Posted By azeyecap:
cock pushups

1" Diameter???

I feel bad for your SO if that's all you're packin unless of course your SO a guy.

Merrell Agent 87 Joined Apr 2003 Posts 19221 EE Offline PA, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 10:52:49 AM EST Paint a picture of a woman on the wall and let GD loose on it.

Chris_1522 THREAD KILLER Joined May 2005 Posts 6557 EE Offline MO, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 10:53:45 AM EST 1/4" drill bit and a firecracker.

K2QB3 Member Joined Dec 2003 Posts 4405 EE Offline WA, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 10:53:46 AM EST Buy a 1" masonry bit. Go slow, don't overheat the drill. Your drill will probably go through cinderblock without breaking a sweat, 1" might be pushing it in concrete, but cinder block isn't going to be a problem.

Bob1984 ARFCOM Regular Joined Feb 2005 Posts 12694 EE Offline USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 10:56:00 AM EST M791, 25 MM APDS-T.
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Archer36

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Posted: 6/3/2008 10:56:16 AM EST

Originally Posted By GrIlLa:
What is this today? home improvements 101?

I again agree with Patriot 73

What would you do if a block wall separated you from ARFCOM and wireless is a no-go option?

Originally Posted By K2QB3:
Buy a 1" masonry bit.

Go slow, don't overheat the drill.

Your drill will probably go through cinderblock without breaking a sweat, 1" might be pushing it in concrete, but cinder block isn't going to be a problem.

Even though my drill is rated for 3/4" bits? This sounds to be the fastest solution, is the 3/4" rating for concrete and harder surfaces or something?

"Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms."
-- James Madison

mjrowley Mmmmm... Tannerite... Joined May 2003 Posts 11116 EE Offline AZ, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 10:56:51 AM EST water drill
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BKC1869

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Posted: 6/3/2008 10:58:27 AM EST

Originally Posted By K2QB3:
Buy a 1" masonry bit.

Go slow, don't overheat the drill.

Your drill will probably go through cinderblock without breaking a sweat, 1" might be pushing it in concrete, but cinder block isn't going to be a problem.

+1.

Disintegr8or Member Joined Aug 2006 Posts 376 EE Offline FL, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 11:00:38 AM EST Use a hammer. No, seriously. Just don't go crazy.

Hickfied Joined Dec 2006 Posts 53 EE Offline NC, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 11:01:16 AM EST Cost of the bit VS your time. Is the price of the 1" bit so much, to make drilling alot of 1/4" holes worth the time? Your drill will work great with a 1" bit on block.

GrIlLa

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Posted: 6/3/2008 11:05:45 AM EST

Originally Posted By Disintegr8or:
Use a hammer. No, seriously. Just don't go crazy.

I have done this as well one shot...pow!....hole

But if he isn't careful he wont succeed the first time and get silly with repeated blows and weaken the block and it will crumble.

Barack Hussein Obama "Socialism We Can Believe In"

bblake00 The real Heavy 6. Joined Jan 2003 Posts 10162 EE Offline MD, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 12:01:00 PM EST AK
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rtintwo Joined Jan 2008 Posts 286 EE Offline USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 12:05:19 PM EST If its just one hole then use your 1/4 bit and then tap the center out. If its lots of 1" holes then invest in a 1" bit with a 1/2" shank.

kingoftheroad Joined Oct 2005 Posts 634 EE Offline WI, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 12:09:08 PM EST seriously, use a hammer to make the hole. its easy, and no extension cords/drills required. tap where you want the hole, keep going, tapping a little harder each time. use a hammer with a 1'' diameter head for 1'' hole.

Subnet

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Posted: 6/3/2008 12:10:38 PM EST

Originally Posted By GrIlLa:
What is this today? home improvements 101?

I again agree with Patriot 73

Yes.

Whoever pissed in your Cheerios swiped your manners while you were savoring the taste.-FLAL1A

Kuraki Just milling the parts Mexico can't. Joined May 2007 Posts 1705 EE Offline WI, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 12:11:20 PM EST If it's just a hole to pull wires, I would just knock it out with a hammer as well.
	"It's hard to kill a horse with a flute."

AR-Josh FUDD with an AR Joined Jun 2003 Posts 1434 EE Offline MD, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 12:12:13 PM EST I drilled a hole through my foundation to run an external outlet. I used a 2 ft drill bit on an impact drill. I think that's what it was called. I have a contractor friend that happened to have one and he said that was all I needed. If you don't have the right equipment, go rent it or you may wish you had.
	Make the first shot count. Follow up shots are just a waste of ammo.

A-nus gun guru Joined Apr 2002 Posts 3302 EE Offline USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 12:12:27 PM EST [Last Edit: 6/3/2008 12:13:42 PM EST by A-nus] 1/2" Masonry bit 1 shot no problem, won't even be hard
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glk38

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Posted: 6/3/2008 12:15:47 PM EST

Originally Posted By kingoftheroad:
seriously, use a hammer to make the hole. its easy, and no extension cords/drills required. tap where you want the hole, keep going, tapping a little harder each time. use a hammer with a 1'' diameter head for 1'' hole.

+1 I do this all the time for getting high voltage to a ac unit.

A one inch bit will have you digging it out anyway when you run sealtite or conduit through it.

It's going to get caulked or sealed up, a 1/4 in larger isn't going to hurt if you miss on the first try.

Pangea Joined Jan 2001 Posts 16527 EE Offline TN, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 12:52:36 PM EST I did that last weekend. My wife wanted another water spigot so I chain drilled the 1" hole with a 1/4" bit after drilling straight through the block, I cross drilled the holes then tapped the plug with a hammer. Cake.

Wolfman223 Joined Mar 2007 Posts 1246 EE Offline MI, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 1:19:27 PM EST My old man was a cement mason for years,he used a hammer,regular claw and hit it center on either side couple good raps of an imagained center line on a 16" block which is where the thinnest part is.Went to the other side and did same.It makes about a one inch hole.Only works well on a block in the wall already

poliscifan Joined Mar 2008 Posts 330 EE Offline USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 1:32:59 PM EST I would think that a phased plasma rifle in the 40watt range would be perfect.

MadBomber

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Posted: 6/3/2008 1:48:39 PM EST

[Last Edit: 6/3/2008 3:01:13 PM EST by MadBomber]

Originally Posted By Wolfman223:
My old man was a cement mason for years,he used a hammer,regular claw and hit it center on either side couple good raps of an imagained center line on a 16" block which is where the thinnest part is.Went to the other side and did same.It makes about a one inch hole.Only works well on a block in the wall already

I'm a mason. The direct center of a concrete block is the web of the block and it is solid and the strongest part of the block.

Like has been said just use a hammer and if you can try and put the hole right at the bed joint of 2 blocks. This will make it much harder to shatter the block. I just hope your not trying to go through a poured cell.

It's very easy you don't need to buy anything. I do it all the time. It takes about 5 seconds.

"All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"

Edmund Burke

dtrosch Captain Huggy Face Joined Aug 2004 Posts 709 EE Offline VA, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 2:00:53 PM EST
	Captain Huggy Face does NOT approve!

Luhrs Joined Dec 2007 Posts 131 EE Offline OR, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 2:50:18 PM EST If you want to be cheap about it use a roto- hammer like the others suggested. But a core drill is the best way to do it. You can rent one or you can call a concrete cutting company to come do it for you. BTW I am a concrete cutter.

Hojo Member Joined Jun 2007 Posts 1891 EE Offline IN, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 2:52:17 PM EST 25mm depleted uranium round?

fxntime Member Joined Jan 2003 Posts 17560 EE Offline MI, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 2:55:50 PM EST Do it all the time for Gas piping, Hammer drill, carbide cement 1" bit, let drill and bit do it's job at it's own pace. Easy, It'll chew thru it with no problem at all.
	I do not have a license to kill, but I do have a learner's permit. Small town, religious, gun owning, anti illegal immigration, non-bitter white man. I may never be rich, but my name and handshake will always be worth something.

IchWarrior Joined Jul 2003 Posts 4709 EE Offline CO, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 3:01:39 PM EST I think the important question is now, where is the hole in relation to your cinder block?... I think I would just go get a damn 1" bit to drill a 1" hole... ...but Im a simply guy like that. The hammer trick is also effective.

Archer36

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Posted: 6/3/2008 6:20:59 PM EST

[Last Edit: 6/3/2008 6:22:19 PM EST by Archer36]

Well I tried the 1" bit, but used a 5/16" to drill a drill a pilot hole and make sure there was nothing behind..... one problem I couldn't find the hollow part of the cinder block

. The hardest part is the wall is covered with dry wall. I found the edge of the block, so I moved about 2" left of it, and drilled and got no where, from what I could tell i was over 1 1/4" in the block and it was still solid. My only guess was I was to close to the bottom of the block.

I gave up for the night, I had other stuff to do, so I figured I would do that later.

Any tips on finding the hollow part of the block?

Thanks for all the help so far, others with their sarcastic remarks (you know who you are) have way to much time on you hands

ETA: Yes I know there are some hollow blocks because there is a hole in the block one up for some phone lines.

"Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms."
-- James Madison

kingoftheroad Joined Oct 2005 Posts 640 EE Offline WI, USA	Posted: 6/3/2008 6:24:14 PM EST it might not be hollow after all. sometimes it is filled with grout to make it stronger. if so, rent a hammer drill.

kayamana

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Posted: 6/3/2008 6:47:17 PM EST

Originally Posted By bblake00:
AK

Hey wants a little hole, not a pile of rubble.

I'm hungry. AGAIN!

You can refer to this as a, it's not a prom queen, it's more like a biker chick. ~ Sonny Puzikas, speaking of the AK-47.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best way to drill a 1" hole in cinder block?

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