How to Drill Concrete with a Regular Drill

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By Matthew Denny
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Many people think that you cannot drill concrete with a regular drill. They believe that you need a special hammer drill with hardened drill bits. While these tools do make the job faster they are not necessary.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

drill
masonry drill bits of varying sizes

Step 1

Mark the center of the hole on the concrete, and insert a small masonry drill bit in your drills chuck. Begin drilling into the concrete applying steady pressure on the drill. If any time you feel the drill bogging down back off some.
Step 2

If you're going to drill concrete with a regular drill you need to gradually increase the size of the drill bit until you hit the diameter you're looking for. Increase the size of the drill bit by no more than 1/8 of an inch at a time.
Step 3

If you hit a spot in the concrete where you can not get the drill bit to go any further stop and back out and increase the diameter of your drill bit as in step two. Once the hole is slightly larger take a hardened nail, place it in the hole and give a few whacks with a hammer to break up the aggregate you likely hit. Then continue like normal.
Step 4

Being able to drill concrete with a regular drill can be time-consuming so be sure to be patient.

Comments

capri01 said

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on 10/14/2009 backwards the hole may break the drill bit in the hole which is more frustrating. Use water or coolant to cool down the steel drill bit.

Thanks Matthew

on 10/14/2009 Hi, While I was going through this article i thought to add my experience, No offence to Mr. Matthew Denny.

If you are drilling more than 2 inches in the concrete with a regular drill give it a cylindrical push pull motion after every 6-10 seconds, it will cool down the drill and also u can check the tip’s surface for wear if you hit the steel bar in the concrete. In such a case you may come to a complete stop and drill won't go further. This is not advised to cut or make holes in the steel bars in concrete. Doing so may weaken the concrete which is dangerous. But if it is safe (Consult the architect) to drill down the steel bar Change your concrete bit to steel bit. The process is the same from small to big drill bit. Drilling steel bars inside the concrete requires more passions than drilling concrete, you need to hold the drill steady, any excessive motion other than towards ...