How to Drill in to Brick to Attach Vent Cover with Tapcons??

[x26]

Hi,

My vent cover 4 inch x 4 inch blew off and I need to attach to a Brick exterior wall.

I attempted to Drill a hole for 3/16 '' tapcons--

I'm using a standard Craftmen drill and I can't even make a mark on the Brick??--I'm using a Masonry bit.

ETA: I don't have a "Hammer Drill" I was hoping a regular drill would work.

Any Tips, Tricks, advice??

Help greatly appreciated!!

 

[pcgeek11]

I don't know what you are doing wrong as I installed my shutters and a dryer vent cover to my brick using Tapcon Screws and a Tapcon branded drill bit using a standard non-hammer corded drill.

One not I did attempt it with a cordless drill and failed miserably. Try a corded drill.

 

[x26]

I don't know what you are doing wrong as I installed my shutters and a dryer vent cover to my brick using Tapcon Screws and a Tapcon branded drill bit using a standard non-hammer corded drill.

One not I did attempt it with a cordless drill and failed miserably. Try a corded drill.

I didn't try a Tapcon Branded Drill bit.
Guy at HD gave me a Bosh branded(made in China) drill bit--said that would work.

Just keeps spinning, spinning and spinning--doesn't even make a Mark.

You think using a Tapcon Drill bit would work??

Thanks for replying!

 

[pcgeek11]

It should unless you have some special type of brick. All I can say is I must have drilled at least 60 holes for the Tapcons in my brick with one bit. It took maybe 2 minutes per hole. The only other advise I have is to take your time and do not wallow out the hole and make it too large.

 

[NutBucket]

The bits are pretty much all the same. Strange that you are having problems. If you want to try a hammer drill I'd suggest a cheapie from China Freight if your don't have a need for one otherwise.

 

[boomerang]

Is the drill turning in the right direction? It still should make a mark even if it was spinning in reverse though. You might want to post a pic of the brick.

 

[Meghan54]

Drilling into the brick is hard work, even for a good drill and bit. As an alternative, could you drill small mounting holes in your vent where the flashing lines up with the mortar? Vastly easier job and it'll hold as well as attaching directly to the brick.

Also, if you have to drill into the brick, I'd start with the absolute smallest bit you can get and graduate bit size/hole size until you get to the size you need. A 3/16" hole, drilled by itself, may just be large enough to crack the brick you're trying to drill into.

 

[pcgeek11]

Drilling into the brick is hard work, even for a good drill and bit. As an alternative, could you drill small mounting holes in your vent where the flashing lines up with the mortar? Vastly easier job and it'll hold as well as attaching directly to the brick.

Also, if you have to drill into the brick, I'd start with the absolute smallest bit you can get and graduate bit size/hole size until you get to the size you need. A 3/16" hole, drilled by itself, may just be large enough to crack the brick you're trying to drill into.

No, it isn't.

Watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BJafiHZb0A with a standard cordless drill and a good mason bit. It should be just this easy.

 

[Humpy]

Not all brick is created equal, some have 20 - 30 times greater compressive strength than others and will subsequently be more or less difficult to drill into.

My dryer vent is held on with clear silicone caulk. It's been there since 2002...

 

[x26]

No, it isn't.

Watch this video starting at 2:30 with a standard cordless drill and a good mason bit. It should be just this easy.

Watch what Video?? Me No See??

 

[x26]

Not all brick is created equal, some have 20 - 30 times greater compressive strength than others and will subsequently be more or less difficult to drill into.

My dryer vent is held on with clear silicone caulk. It's been there since 2002...

I might have to try that--that's what the builder used-lasted for 6 yrears and blew off last week.

 

[Humpy]

I might have to try that--that's what the builder used-lasted for 6 yrears and blew off last week.

Clean everything as best you can, maybe use a little more than was used before.

It helps if the weather is warm and dry.

 

[13Gigatons]

I might have to try that--that's what the builder used-lasted for 6 yrears and blew off last week.

Might want to try something like PL375 or better: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Loctite-...thane-Construction-Adhesive-1390595/202020473

 

[MongGrel]

Does the drill bit still have the carbide tip on it ?

Other than that I don't know what it up, sounds you are trying to use a broken bit to me.

 

[x26]

Does the drill bit still have the carbide tip on it ?

Other than that I don't know what it up, sounds you are trying to use a broken bit to me.

I'm going to return the Bosch Bit and get a different one--Something is Fishy.--Unless I have some sort of Indestructible Brick.

 

[mindless1]

I'm voting that it wasn't really a masonry bit or is defective. Drilling a modest 3/16 sized hole in brick is not hard at all with the average drill and masonry bit. It just takes ~5X longer with a non-hammer drill (few dozen seconds) and to put some weight behind it.

 

[Humpy]

Be aware that "masonry" bits are not all the same.

A bit for use with a hammer drill will have a tip that is designed to pulverize the material in its path. The carbide is less brittle but can overheat and quickly lose its edge if used in a rotary drill. When new they work for a little while with a rotary drill if you go easy on them and keep them cool.

A bit for use with a rotary drill will have a tip designed to scrape away the material in it's path. The carbide will hold an edge longer but is brittle and will disintegrate if used in a hammer drill. These bits tend to suck at drilling anything harder than concrete block and pavers.

 

[pcgeek11]

Watch what Video?? Me No See??

Oops. Fixed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BJafiHZb0A

 

[MongGrel]

I'm voting that it wasn't really a masonry bit or is defective. Drilling a modest 3/16 sized hole in brick is not hard at all with the average drill and masonry bit. It just takes ~5X longer with a non-hammer drill (few dozen seconds) and to put some weight behind it.

It should have a carbide shaped spade drill point brazed on the front end, and I'd recommend putting a bit of oil for lube on it also if you have nothing better.

But it does sounds like you had the wrong bit to me.

 

[pcgeek11]

This is what I used. Went into the brick like it was butter with a standard corded drill.

 

[MongGrel]

It's a frigging carbide tipped masonry drill bit, you do not have to buy Tapcons.

Is about like buying Monster cables.

https://www.grainger.com/category/h...Redirect=masonry+drill+bits&suggestConfigId=6

You can get one for a buck 50.

https://www.grainger.com/product/WESTWARD-Masonry-Bit-6PTF7?opr=APPD&pbi=6PTC8&analytics=altItems

 

[pcgeek11]

It's a frigging carbide tippes masonry drill bit, you do not have to buy Tapcons.

Is about like buying Monster cables.

No kidding. I don't think anyone actually said he needed to buy Tapcon Bits. The bit was free with the Tapcon Screws.

Even then all masonry bits are not created equal. I have tried several brands and many of them sucked. I found the Tapcon bits just lasted longer and drilled better for me. Just suggesting what worked for me.

It is a far cry from buying monster cables.

 

[MongGrel]

No kidding. I don't think anyone actually said he needed to buy Tapcon Bits. The bit was free with the Tapcon Screws.

Even then all masonry bits are not created equal. I have tried several brands and many of them sucked. I found the Tapcon bits just lasted longer and drilled better for me. Just suggesting what worked for me.

It is a far cry from buying monster cables.

I get the feeling you have never sharpened a carbide tool with a diamond wheel in your life, but I won't go down that road any further.

 

[pcgeek11]

I get the feeling you have never sharpened a carbide tool with a diamond wheel in your life, but I won't go down that road any further.

And what does that have to do with my personal experience with drilling holes into brick using a Tapcon drill bit? Oh yeah, nothing. I never claimed to have worked in a cut and grind tool facility at least not that I can remember.

For someone that knows absolutely nothing about me you sure seem to have a lot of "feelings" about what I have and have not done or what I do and do not know.

Maybe you aren't as smart as you try and make yourself out to be. You seem to have a need / desire to make yourself look better when you try and disparage others with these insignificant snarky comments. When all it does is make you seem needy of attention.

 

[MongGrel]

And what does that have to do with my personal experience with drilling holes into brick using a Tapcon drill bit? Oh yeah, nothing. I never claimed to have worked in a cut and grind tool facility at least not that I can remember.

For someone that knows absolutely nothing about me you sure seem to have a lot of "feelings" about what I have and have not done or what I do and do not know.

Maybe you aren't as smart as you try and make yourself out to be. You seem to have a need / desire to make yourself look better when you try and disparage others with these insignificant snarky comments. When all it does is make you seem needy of attention.

Whatever dude.