ᐅ Which drill bit should I use for drilling into the ceiling to hang a light fixture?
Created on: 9 Sep 2024 14:01
H
Hafenguy
Hello forum community,
I hope this is the right place; if not, please feel free to move it.
Today, we tried drilling holes on the ground floor to hang some lamps, but we got stuck.
After drilling a short distance, we couldn’t go any further.
We tried several spots in the hallway, and only at one point were we able to drill through.
We suspect there is a steel beam, and the spot where we succeeded was where we didn’t hit the beam.
Attached is a photo of our drill bits. Our assumptions:
- The silver bit is for masonry and concrete
- The bits below are for wood
- Are the top bits suitable for metal, or do we need different ones for that?
Unfortunately, the instructions we found online aren’t very clear.
As a result, we already used the wood drill bit on the ceiling, which wasn’t good for it.
Is it even possible or recommended to drill through a steel beam, or should we try to find a spot where the masonry bit works well?
I hope this is the right place; if not, please feel free to move it.
Today, we tried drilling holes on the ground floor to hang some lamps, but we got stuck.
After drilling a short distance, we couldn’t go any further.
We tried several spots in the hallway, and only at one point were we able to drill through.
We suspect there is a steel beam, and the spot where we succeeded was where we didn’t hit the beam.
Attached is a photo of our drill bits. Our assumptions:
- The silver bit is for masonry and concrete
- The bits below are for wood
- Are the top bits suitable for metal, or do we need different ones for that?
Unfortunately, the instructions we found online aren’t very clear.
As a result, we already used the wood drill bit on the ceiling, which wasn’t good for it.
Is it even possible or recommended to drill through a steel beam, or should we try to find a spot where the masonry bit works well?
B
Buchsbaum06610 Sep 2024 21:20You are seriously mistaken.
Back when computers didn’t exist yet, I took and successfully completed a typewriting course at the community college. I was the only man among 20 office ladies. It was great.
Along the way, I learned to touch-type without looking at the keys, using all ten fingers, and on good days I reached about 250 keystrokes per minute.
In practice, this means I can type about 5 to 8 times faster than you. In the end, I can produce twice the amount of text in just a fraction of the time you need.
Back when computers didn’t exist yet, I took and successfully completed a typewriting course at the community college. I was the only man among 20 office ladies. It was great.
Along the way, I learned to touch-type without looking at the keys, using all ten fingers, and on good days I reached about 250 keystrokes per minute.
In practice, this means I can type about 5 to 8 times faster than you. In the end, I can produce twice the amount of text in just a fraction of the time you need.
The problem will keep occurring. So, like the previous commenters said, I would get a rotary hammer. It doesn’t need to be anything special, and the brand doesn’t really matter. For the few times you use it per year, I’d buy a corded one, possibly even secondhand from classified ads.
For example, I use a small, old Bosch Professional rotary hammer that’s about 25 years old. Along with that, I use good quality, 4-cutter SDS drill bits (Hilti TE-CX, Bosch SDS 7x, Milwaukee MX4, etc.). Drilling holes with a diameter of 5mm (0.2 inches) to 8mm (0.3 inches) is no problem at all.
For example, I use a small, old Bosch Professional rotary hammer that’s about 25 years old. Along with that, I use good quality, 4-cutter SDS drill bits (Hilti TE-CX, Bosch SDS 7x, Milwaukee MX4, etc.). Drilling holes with a diameter of 5mm (0.2 inches) to 8mm (0.3 inches) is no problem at all.
E
elminster11 Sep 2024 09:18I used to have only a small rotary hammer drill with Bosch Professional masonry bits. With that, I had no chance drilling into the concrete ceilings in the basement. Using a rotary hammer and Hilti TE-CX drill bits made it ridiculously easy.
By the way: I also believe that an inexpensive rotary hammer is absolutely sufficient. I bought one with integrated dust extraction back then. I now have many tools, but that was probably the best purchase. With the integrated dust extraction, you can drill very well indoors without making a mess over a wide area.
By the way: I also believe that an inexpensive rotary hammer is absolutely sufficient. I bought one with integrated dust extraction back then. I now have many tools, but that was probably the best purchase. With the integrated dust extraction, you can drill very well indoors without making a mess over a wide area.
Buchsbaum066 schrieb:
In practice, this means I can type about 5 to 8 times faster than you. In the end, I write twice as much in a fraction of the time you need.That might be the problem. You type so fast that your thinking can’t keep up...Hafenguy schrieb:
I borrowed a rotary hammer from the hardware store around the corner, got a masonry drill bit for stone and concrete, and everything went smoothly, like butter, depending on how you look at it.
Thanks for your input.I’d also like to add my two cents. First of all, I’m glad to hear it worked out so well. I faced the same situation a while ago, trying to hang curtain rods, but nothing worked. Then my father told me I needed to activate the hammer function. And sure enough, no problem. You keep learning, even with simple tasks. And from the responses here in the thread, you can tell this affects many people.
I can also strongly recommend, as suggested by @nordanney, to buy the Bosch rotary hammer. I bought the 28 model when it was on sale and it has accompanied me through many renovation projects. Highly recommended purchase.
By the way, I have a question: I have the impression that the drilled hole is now becoming a bit wider or “frayed.” I suspect that, due to extensive chiseling work, the drill chuck has been worn down and no longer runs perfectly true. Is it sufficient to simply buy a new SDS drill chuck?
Similar topics