drill bits

v1rtu0s1ty

Senior Member
hey guys, what drill bits width should I buy? especially for the Erwin auger bit. I saw them at home depot yesterday, they ran around $22
 
What size wire are you running? When I retrofitted my house with some 4 in 1 I was using a 1" bit. When I was running my security wires I was using a 1/4x72" flex bit. Here are some bits that came in quite handy

http://cgi.ebay.com/MILWAUKEE-PATHFINDER-F...1QQcmdZViewItem

I was able to buy a set on clearence at a local tool supply house. With these bits you can literally drill around corners. I know, I know it seems like a gimmic but these bits work just as advertised. I was so impressed with them that I went back and bought the rest on their on hand stock.

If you can get your hands on a right angle drill and buy both a short bit and a long bit in the diameter that you will need. A short bit chucked into a right angle drill will fit between the studs, use the long one to drill through headers and such. Don't forget to get a compfortable pair of saftey glasses, Those Irwin bits will chew right through nails. Speaking from experience hot nail debris in the eye will bring a good productive day to an abrupt end.
 
betrickey said:
What size wire are you running?

Wires are:
1. 18/4 fire wire
2. 22/4 wire
3. CAT5E
4. RG6QS
5. 16/4 speaker wire

When I retrofitted my house with some 4 in 1 I was using a 1" bit. When I was running my security wires I was using a 1/4x72" flex bit. Here are some bits that came in quite handy
Did you say 72 inches? What's a flex bit?

http://cgi.ebay.com/MILWAUKEE-PATHFINDER-F...1QQcmdZViewItem

I was able to buy a set on clearence at a local tool supply house. With these bits you can literally drill around corners. I know, I know it seems like a gimmic but these bits work just as advertised. I was so impressed with them that I went back and bought the rest on their on hand stock.
I'll take a look at it.

If you can get your hands on a right angle drill and buy both a short bit and a long bit in the diameter that you will need. A short bit chucked into a right angle drill will fit between the studs, use the long one to drill through headers and such. Don't forget to get a compfortable pair of saftey glasses, Those Irwin bits will chew right through nails. Speaking from experience hot nail debris in the eye will bring a good productive day to an abrupt end.

Yes, I'm planning to buy a right angle drill. Thanks for the safety glasses, I'll buy one.
 
Here is a rundown on the flex bit from Fine Homebuilding:

http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/hvt014.asp

http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/hvt057.asp

Here are 2 demo videos that should help out, I do better when I can actually see something done.

As far as the size of the bit I would saw that a 3/8 bit should be fine, if your looking at the flex bit get one with small holes in both ends. This allows you to drill and pull the wire in 1 step. Here is a link for one

http://www.goodmart.com/products/85442.htm
 
I really wouldn't buy drill bits based on price. It really does make a difference when you buy quality bits. For drill holes in the 2x4s, I would use Forester (sp) bits and buy good quality ones too. I think I bought mine at HD. They have a nice kit there with lots of bit for a decent price.
 
AutomatedOutlet said:
I really wouldn't buy drill bits based on price. It really does make a difference when you buy quality bits. For drill holes in the 2x4s, I would use Forester (sp) bits and buy good quality ones too. I think I bought mine at HD. They have a nice kit there with lots of bit for a decent price.
Do you still recall the brand of the forstner bits?
 
betrickey said:
Here is a rundown on the flex bit from Fine Homebuilding:

http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/hvt014.asp

http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/hvt057.asp

Here are 2 demo videos that should help out, I do better when I can actually see something done.

As far as the size of the bit I would saw that a 3/8 bit should be fine, if your looking at the flex bit get one with small holes in both ends. This allows you to drill and pull the wire in 1 step. Here is a link for one

http://www.goodmart.com/products/85442.htm
WOW!!!! That was an awesome video. I'm missing tons of stuff then. Even with a right angle bit, it's tough.
 
Will this work on joist or studs, right angle bit and those drill bits that are circular. Sometime HD sells it in color whites. Comes in different diameters, 1", 2", 5". I think they're mostly used for drop ceilings. So will it work guys?
 
I believe that you are talking about a "hole saw". You would be better served using a ship auger style bit. If you feel the need to use a forestner style bit buy the Dewalt or Milwaukee bits with the self-feed tip.

http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/webapp/wcs...189326_127418_Y

http://www.toolking.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=4420

Most of the plumbers that I know will use only these two brands of bits. I have the Dewalt 2-1/2 bit and have been happy with it. It comes with a replaceable double ended screw tip thats easy and quick to change.
 
betrickey said:
I believe that you are talking about a "hole saw". You would be better served using a ship auger style bit. If you feel the need to use a forestner style bit buy the Dewalt or Milwaukee bits with the self-feed tip.

http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/webapp/wcs...189326_127418_Y

http://www.toolking.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=4420

Most of the plumbers that I know will use only these two brands of bits. I have the Dewalt 2-1/2 bit and have been happy with it. It comes with a replaceable double ended screw tip thats easy and quick to change.
Assuming I'll be using the bit on the picture below to create a hole in the stud, however, the studs are 5 pieces joined together, is there any extender that we can attach between this been and the right angle drill?

dewalt.jpg
 
I have a 6amp corded drill but I still don't have right angle drill. I went to Home Depot this afternoon and saw a $59 Ryobi right angle drill. However, it doesn't come with charger and battery. There are add-ons such as the right angle drill head but I'm worried that it's not heavy duty. I've read some reviews and they were very unhappy with the result. What's your call on right angle drill heads?

EDIT: This is the right angle drill that I want to buy. Should I just rent a corded right angle drill at HomeDepot for $18/day?

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US...t.jsp?pn=168747
 
I would advise renting the corded one, cordless drills die quickly when they bind up (come to a stop, and require a wiggle to get going again) while drilling, you'll be waiting for batteries to charge more than you'll be drilling . . . I also recommend a something w/ 1/2" chuck . . . you need industrial strength for this job . . . the $18 a day is a good deal when you consider the beating it will take . . .

Pete C
 
I recently did a refit on my house, so I’ll offer up my $.02. I used a ½†chucked right angle drill and 14V cordless to do all my drilling except for masonry work (used a medium duty corded hammer drill for that). IMO auger bits are hard to beat for ease of use. As mentioned, get a ½†drill, lots of the longer bits at HD and Lowes only come in ½†sizes. I think you could get away with ¾†and 1†auger bits of the long and short type. For home runs you will drill multiple 1†holes, remember to keep them centered in the framing member. A ¾†hole is enough to fit two CAT5 and two RG6 comfortably or double that snugly.

Stay away from the add-ons that make a drill a right angle on. As to renting a drill, that a good solution, but I went to a used tool store, ReTool in this case, and got a used right angle Dewalt for $70 I think. Worked great and now I have on around. Good luck!

--Jamie
 
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