How Do You Drill Into Cinder Block Concrete?
How Do You Drill Into Cinder Block Concrete?
Cinder blocks, which are comprised of concrete and ash, are frequently used for foundations and walls. They are moisture-resistant and, when correctly installed, will outlast equivalent wood constructions.
The physical qualities that make these blocks more durable than wood also make drilling through them more difficult. A normal drill with a drill bit designed for wood or metal is insufficient for this task. Here is how you can drill into cinder block concrete;
Choose A Drilling Location On The Block.
Choose a drilling location on the block. Most cinder bricks are solid only at the ends and in the center. It takes less time and effort to drill through the hollow parts on either side of the block.
Insert The Masonry Bit Into The Hammer Drill.
Connect the masonry bit to the drill. To avoid slippage, tighten the chuck tightly around the bit.
Masonry bits are equipped with carbide-cutting blades that are particularly intended to cut through cement and brick. Use a long enough bit to drill all the way through the block.
Set The Drill’s Selector Switch.
Switch the drill’s selector switch to the hammer position. In addition to the hammer mode, most hammer drills provide a normal rotary mode. Hammer drills are meant to smash tiny fragments of masonry and speed up the drilling process by producing a pounding action.
Press The Drill’s Tip.
Press the drill’s trigger while pressing the drill bit’s tip firmly on the surface of the block. Maintain steady pressure on the drill throughout.
Release The Trigger.
After 30 seconds of operation, or when the hole fills with debris, release the trigger and remove the drill. Blow any excess dust from the drill hole.
Replace The Bit Back Into The Hole.
Rep the bit in the hole and repeat Steps 4 and 5 until the hole is finished. Continuously using the drill without cleaning the drilling debris will cause it to overheat and ruin the drill bit. Reduce the drilling pressure as you near the end of the hole to avoid damage to the opposite side of the block.
If you can’t locate a bit long enough to drill through the entire block, you can drill through one side into the hollow area, then proceed to the opposite side and drill a matching hole. However, when employing this procedure, it might be difficult to perfectly line both holes for stiff pipes or conduit.
Which Cinder Block Cutting Tools Do You Use?
Precast concrete blocks, often known as cinder blocks, are a practical and straightforward building material. These blocks are widely available in a variety of conventional sizes and are ideal for foundations, walls, and other strong buildings.
Most concrete blocks may be used as-is, however for specific purposes, they must be trimmed to size or angled for a mitered junction. Several tools are useful for this task.
A Mason’s Saw.
Masonry saws are similar to circular saws in size, weight, and power. These saws function more like grinders than traditional saws, eroding away at the block’s surface.
They cut the block before it is set and cut through cinder block walls to create openings for doorways and windows.
Masonry saws are often heavy and costly, making them ideal for homeowners who need to cut a large amount of block.
Masonry Chisel.
A mason’s chisel is another name for this hand tool. It’s a powerful, broad chisel with a shorter handle than a wood chisel. To endure the power of mallet blows, the blade and handle are manufactured in one piece.
Because masonry chisels are primarily used to split and gouge concrete, they have duller blades than wood chisels. For basic cutting, “Building with Masonry” suggests a 2 1/4-inch broad chisel.
Reciprocating Saw.
Reciprocating saws use a straight blade held by one end and move it back and forth to cut the material, much like a traditional hand saw.
Reciprocating saws perform effectively for cutting and shaping concrete blocks when mounted with a carbide grit blade. The saws might be difficult to manage, but they can make more cuts than many masonry and circular saws. To cut neatly but slowly, use reasonably smooth grits, and coarser grits for a faster but less tidy cut.
Circular Saw.
Circular saws are portable instruments with a spinning circular blade. They are typically used to cut long lengths of timber into shorter pieces, but they may also be used to cut stone when fitted with the appropriate blade.
Circular saws are best suited for tiny cuts since their blade depth only allows them to cut a limited quantity of material at a time – typically half the width of the blade. Work gently to avoid overheating the saw’s motor.
