I need a masonry bit about 5′ long, diameter maybe 3/8″ or 1/2″. Checked all my local electrical suppliers and contractors tool supplies, to no avail. Augers a plenty, but nothing for masonry. Anyone have any leads on a drill bit like this?
Thanks
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Replies
I've seen the building sprinkler system guys using bits like this (though maybe not quite 5 feet). Saves them from having to crawl up into a crowded ceiling to install a pipe hanger.
How many holes are you going to drill?
In a pinch, I'd weld an extension onto (in between) two cheapo Chinese (Harbour Freight) SDS bits and have at it.
maybe Imerc could help you with a shaped charge < G >
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
~ Voltaire
I don't think a regular bit for a roto hammer exists, I have ones 24" long and they get bound up if you have to use the entire length.
When drilling deep holes in rock you have a bit that delivers a high volume of air from a big arse air compressor to clear the debris, but I've never seen those less than 1½" dia.
a five footer that long....
sounds like it's frabrication time.....
we can use plan "B" but that may really PO the neighbores....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
If you alter a standard masonry bit as some others have suggested, you might have a problem because a longer bit will tend to absorb some of the power of the hammer drill through deformations in the shaft of the bit. OTH, if you create a shaft thick enough to transfer the power of the hammer effect without attenuation through the shaft, the mass of the shaft will probably absorb much of the energy that you want at the working end. Maybe a light titanium shaft would work in this case, but I think that would be an unlikely solution :)
I recommend you post a clear picture, verbal and pictorial if possible, of the problem you are trying to solve. This would get the minds here at BT working on perhaps offering a solution that you had not thought of.
Thanks everybody. From the replies it looks like the bit is not to be found because it wouldn't be functional. For the same reason it wouldn't be practical to fabricate one. I have to find another way.
What I need to do is run bell wire from the front door to the transformer in the basement. There is wire there but it's old rag wire, which is shorting out somewhere. The existing wire goes back between the door jamb and the brick, and the last thing I want to do is pull apart the door jamb.
Normally, I would splice the new wire to the old and use the old to pull the new through. But the old wire doesn't want to budge. Seems when they originally installed the door bell they drilled the hole no larger than needed and ran a couple of tight turns. So, my options are either drill new or take the doorjamb apart. The second one is not an option.
The reason I need a bit so long is that the unfinished part of the basement is about 40" over from the front door. That's why I'm thinking with a bit long enough I could drill down and over, and go directly to the unfinished basement without having to open the wall and/or ceiling in the finished part.
I have a 16" SDS bit I could use to get through the masonry, and I can drive a pipe through the last inch or so, as I'd be going on a downward angle to the basement ceiling. I was just trying to avoid taking apart more than I have to.
It is possible I might be able to reach the wire with a coat hanger or something, from the unfinished basement, thus avoid opening the drywall.
Sasquatch, I wish I could post a couple of photos. I bwoke my camwa. :( --------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
Ever try a wireless door bell? Now's the time!Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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found a 42" OAL 1/2" through 1 1/2" dia at http://www.mcmaster.com
to find you can go to page 2407 or drill down from the searhc with a search criteria of masonry, drill, long. it took me to a general level of bits, select masonry and keep looking.
I know Hilti makes 3' bits. Try your local Hilti rep.
Hi Hiker, guess we were typing at the same time.
Thanks for pointing that out. Actually, 3' would probably be enough to get me withing reach, and avoid taking more apart than I have to. And if they make something a little longer, all the better. I'll look into it.
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Edited 5/20/2008 7:02 pm by Ted W.
Lots of different stuff available. If your not up against the clock you should be able to hunt something up.
Cheapest way to go- head out to the rental yard and see what they have.
http://www.crowderairtools.com/rockdrills.html A little heave duty for a bell wire/3/8s.
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/497334
http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-725784-43-Inch-Rotary-Extension/dp/B000M9J40G
Here it is http://reviews.ebay.com/GB-FLEX-3-8-quot-Masonry-drill-bit-54-quot-long-flexible_W0QQugidZ10000000001646634?ssPageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:LISTINGS:5
and just what you need
View Image
BES-FLM3848 Masonry Drill Bit 3/8"X48" Carbide tip, flexible 3/16" shaft
1+ $22.95
from here http://www.telephoneparts.com/product/Tools/Drill+Bits
Edited 5/20/2008 7:25 pm by ClaysWorld
Edited 5/20/2008 7:33 pm by ClaysWorld
drill the hole ya need with what ya have and finish with a fiberglass fish wand....
Greenlee calls them a glow stix....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I needed a four foot long, 1" diameter bit once. I brought a 12" long bit to a machine shop and asked them to cut the shank and weld an extension between the splines and the working end. Worked fine for many holes
Thanks for all the great suggestions. Thing is, anything besides an off the shelf long bit is more involved than patching a little drywall. I just painted the room a couple of months ago, so I know the matching paint is there. So thanks, but I'm just going to drill straight through and be done with it.--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
I'm surprised your electrical supply house didn't offer one. Companies selling alarm hardware would. That's where I got mine. Up to 6' available, last I knew.PAHS works. Bury it.
that's right the flex bits.... up to 72"......
even the BB's have them...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"That's where I got mine..."
Masory bit?
I can find wood bits all day long, but if you're refering to a masonry bit, please clue me in. Who carries it, what's their number. Do they have a website?
Thanks--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
Greenlee makes it...
Electrical supply houses, Lowes and HD carries it....
36, 48, 60 and 72" lenghths...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I'll check more big boxes, haven't checked Lowes or Menards. But the only thing HD had is wood augers, nothing for masonry. --------------------------------------------------------
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Yup, masonry. I'll look later and see if it says anything (unlikely). The reason alarm distributors (over electric distributors) would be more inclined is there's so much retrofit alarm business.
No idea who in Chicago, but they should be listed in your yellow pages. Not installing companies, but "wholesale only" distributors who never turn down somebody walking in the door. If you have a friendly installing company, they probably could help you out.
I bought my (masonry) bits in Denver when I needed to drill through 3-4' of structural brick above all the windows in a house to get wire to the attic. Worked very well. The flex shank was necessary. As was a helper holding the vacuum hose. They always have a hole in the shank end to tie your wire for pulling.
PAHS works. Bury it.
Did you not like my links with? the 48" or this one
View Image
BES-FLM3872 Masonry Drill Bit 3/8"X72" Carbide tip, flexible 3/16" shaft
1+ $24.90
That's exactly it!
I don't know how or why, but apparently that post was marked as already read, so didn't show up when I looked for unread messages to me. Thanks for pointing it out.
Gee, everyone who did see your post must thinkg I'm really dense. I mean, I am but I'm usually better at hiding it. Anyway, thanks for pointing it out. The 3/8" x 72" is only $25 and will fit the bill perfectly. --------------------------------------------------------
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so what's wrong with the wireless idea?
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
They don't want wireless, but thanks for the suggestion.--------------------------------------------------------
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If you have access from both sides you can drill the long hole with a small dia (less expensive) bit first. Once you have the hole all the way through you can drill from both sides with your shorter bit and they will lign up.
Did I say I was cheap. Just for the record. I am.
Thanks for the suggestion but all ll I need is a 1/4" hole. The bit to drill the pilot you mention is sure to be at least that wide, so that's what I'm looking for. But a masonry bit. Seems the other posters keep misssing the main point, that I have to go through brick.--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
Brick can be hard on bits. If you can't find it local just mail order it.