Ugh - drilling through cinderblock

[dmurray14]

This is getting pretty annoying. I'm trying to drill through cinderblock to run another wire for my tivo that is on its way, but I can't seem to get through it. I went to Home Depot and told the guy what I wanted to do, and he suggested a cement bit, 9". So I got that, brought it home, and starting drilling (NOT a hammer drill, btw). Needless to say, it took a while to get through the first layer (side) of the cinderblock. Once I got through, I was surprised to see that 9" definitely wasn't going to be long enough - the block must be at least 12" wide. The 9" bit was already $20, am I gonna have to spend a fortune on a 12" or bigger one? Is it normal for cinderblocks to be about a foot wide? The guy said cinderblocks were 8 inches wide so a 9" bit would do fine, but I guess he was wrong. Any tips or tricks? Thanks...

Dan

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Apparently I delve too heavily into sci-fi, I was wondering why you would want to drill into an airlock.

 

[dmurray14]

haha!

turn...off...star...trek....NOW!

 

[Goosemaster]

without a hammerdrill...well...just sit back and drink some beer.....

 

[dmurray14]

If that's true, I might go ahead and see if I can borrow or rent one...

 

[Goosemaster]

are you sure it is just ONE cinderblock?

 

[dartworth]

some blocks are that wide. why not just lay out the hole on the other side with a few measurements and drill it from that side?

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: dmurray14
If that's true, I might go ahead and see if I can borrow or rent one...

bingo.....I've done the same with a hammer drill and let me tell you it was fairly quick...about 2 min..and I was strecthing over my head...while atop a ladder...

I imagine doing so while at chest level, and using your body weight, should prove fairly quick.

 

[dmurray14]

Originally posted by: jfano
some blocks are that wide. why not just lay out the hole on the other side with a few measurements and drill it from that side?

Can't do this because the outside is "plastered" over or something. Can't really tell where the block is.

 

[BillGates]

Drilling into any concrete, masonry, brick, etc without a hammer drill is NOT fun -- even with the most expensive masonry bit you can buy. I'd definitely recommend borrowing or renting a hammer drill if possible.

 

[Bleep]

Give this a try

Get a piece of iron the same size as the hole thay you drilled and put the piece of iron into the hole against the other side.
You should be able to find the iron from the inside with a cheap stud finder. You may have drilled into the web of the cement block and not the cavity.

Bleep