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#1
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I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
I'm installing an additional ceiling fan in my vaulted living room. A
cedar beam runs across it, with one fan on the end. This fan was there when I bought the house, and a hole was drilled through it to run the wires. I wish to put another hole in this beam for another fan. The problem is that I don't think my drill is up for this. It's some junker I got at Big Lots. It had trouble enough drilling through the joists when I installed a fan elsewhere. Given the beam is about a foot thick, I don't have any bits that could do the job either. I'm half expecting there are extender bits for this kind of thing. Say, I predrill halfway through or so, and then extend up to continue drilling. Nonetheless, I don't think my current drill can handle it. How powerful of a drill would I need? I could make a decision on renting or whatnot from that. If it's $39.99 or less at Harbor Freight then I may buy it there*. I'm assuming putting int a small hole for the additional wiring isn't going to ruin the structure of the beam. I'd rather go through the beam than run around it. I suppose I could do something with 1x4s wrapping around the beam in a pattern, and running the wires as needed through that. I think that's as much work and will probably look like crap anyways. *I fear a derail, but I've determined power tools less than or equal to $39.99 work perfectly fine, but any more than that will either never work, or crap out after seconds of use. |
#2
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I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
"Adam Preble" wrote in message I'm half expecting there are extender bits for this kind of thing. Say, I predrill halfway through or so, and then extend up to continue drilling. Nonetheless, I don't think my current drill can handle it. How powerful of a drill would I need? I could make a decision on renting or whatnot from that. If it's $39.99 or less at Harbor Freight then I may buy it there*. There are extenders, and there are very long bits. Rent or borrow a quality drill (you'll have to buy the bit) and it will take two minutes. |
#3
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I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
Edwin Pawlowski wrote: "Adam Preble" wrote in message I'm half expecting there are extender bits for this kind of thing. Say, I predrill halfway through or so, and then extend up to continue drilling. Nonetheless, I don't think my current drill can handle it. How powerful of a drill would I need? I could make a decision on renting or whatnot from that. If it's $39.99 or less at Harbor Freight then I may buy it there*. what kind of bit do you have? using an auger type bit takes a lot of torque. a spade or paddle bit might be the way to go. takes longer, but i bet your drill could do it. you'll want to pull the bit out frequently to clear the wood chips, but with patience, i bet it can be done. |
#4
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I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
A blade style bit works good for a job like this.
Adam Preble wrote: I'm installing an additional ceiling fan in my vaulted living room. A cedar beam runs across it, with one fan on the end. This fan was there when I bought the house, and a hole was drilled through it to run the wires. I wish to put another hole in this beam for another fan. The problem is that I don't think my drill is up for this. It's some junker I got at Big Lots. It had trouble enough drilling through the joists when I installed a fan elsewhere. Given the beam is about a foot thick, I don't have any bits that could do the job either. I'm half expecting there are extender bits for this kind of thing. Say, I predrill halfway through or so, and then extend up to continue drilling. Nonetheless, I don't think my current drill can handle it. How powerful of a drill would I need? I could make a decision on renting or whatnot from that. If it's $39.99 or less at Harbor Freight then I may buy it there*. I'm assuming putting int a small hole for the additional wiring isn't going to ruin the structure of the beam. I'd rather go through the beam than run around it. I suppose I could do something with 1x4s wrapping around the beam in a pattern, and running the wires as needed through that. I think that's as much work and will probably look like crap anyways. *I fear a derail, but I've determined power tools less than or equal to $39.99 work perfectly fine, but any more than that will either never work, or crap out after seconds of use. |
#5
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I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
joists when I installed a fan elsewhere. Given the beam is about a foot thick, I don't have any bits that could do the job either. Use a paddle bit with an extension. Take your time, don't overload the drill, frequently ease up on it and let the internal fan cool the motor. Done with care, even a cheap drill will have no problem. |
#6
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I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
It's unclear what the diameter of the hole will be. If only to pass
some wires, 3/8" might be fine or 1/2" for Romex. Use a twist drill, and take several passes - .25" first, then larger. This will let you use your current drill but you'll have to buy some long bits. Alternately, rent a powerful drill, one large bit and an extension. Adam Preble wrote: I'm installing an additional ceiling fan in my vaulted living room. A cedar beam runs across it, with one fan on the end. This fan was there when I bought the house, and a hole was drilled through it to run the wires. I wish to put another hole in this beam for another fan. The problem is that I don't think my drill is up for this. It's some junker I got at Big Lots. It had trouble enough drilling through the joists when I installed a fan elsewhere. Given the beam is about a foot thick, I don't have any bits that could do the job either. I'm half expecting there are extender bits for this kind of thing. Say, I predrill halfway through or so, and then extend up to continue drilling. Nonetheless, I don't think my current drill can handle it. How powerful of a drill would I need? I could make a decision on renting or whatnot from that. If it's $39.99 or less at Harbor Freight then I may buy it there*. I'm assuming putting int a small hole for the additional wiring isn't going to ruin the structure of the beam. I'd rather go through the beam than run around it. I suppose I could do something with 1x4s wrapping around the beam in a pattern, and running the wires as needed through that. I think that's as much work and will probably look like crap anyways. *I fear a derail, but I've determined power tools less than or equal to $39.99 work perfectly fine, but any more than that will either never work, or crap out after seconds of use. |
#7
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I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
There are extenders, and there are very long bits. Rent or borrow a quality drill (you'll have to buy the bit) and it will take two minutes. Our local rental place INCLUDES the bits |
#8
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I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
Adam Preble wrote: I'm installing an additional ceiling fan in my vaulted living room. A cedar beam runs across it, with one fan on the end. This fan was there when I bought the house, and a hole was drilled through it to run the wires. I wish to put another hole in this beam for another fan. Use a "Speed Bore" bit. They are spade shaped and do have extenders. The Speed Bore comes in sizes form (I think) 1/4" up to huge ones, are not all that expensive. The draw back is that the extenders will only go into a 5/8" or larger hole. You also have to keep pulling the bit out to clean out the chips, they don't self feed the chips. The other option is electricians extended length twist drills. Not sure how long they come but they get some impressive lengths. Harry K |
#9
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I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
Drill hole in center of joist not near top or bottom which can weaken
it. Spade bits are cheap and work great even with a cheap drill, just be patient and drill slow. |
#10
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I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
According to Harry K :
Adam Preble wrote: I'm installing an additional ceiling fan in my vaulted living room. A cedar beam runs across it, with one fan on the end. This fan was there when I bought the house, and a hole was drilled through it to run the wires. I wish to put another hole in this beam for another fan. Use a "Speed Bore" bit. They are spade shaped and do have extenders. The Speed Bore comes in sizes form (I think) 1/4" up to huge ones, are not all that expensive. The draw back is that the extenders will only go into a 5/8" or larger hole. You also have to keep pulling the bit out to clean out the chips, they don't self feed the chips. The other option is electricians extended length twist drills. Not sure how long they come but they get some impressive lengths. 18" auger bits are quite easy to get. If you're using an auger or spade, you can't start small and redrill with larger bits. Or at least not easily. You can get extended length drill bits from HD up to about 6', but they're pretty pricey. Note that no matter what drill you use, by the time you get through about 6" of beam, the friction of the hole on the drill bit is pretty high. So if you're doubtful of an auger doing the hole with a particular drill, a twist or spade bit would probably not be that much better. Augers generally clear chips so much better that they'll probably turn out easier in the long run for a hole like this. -- Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them. |
#11
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I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
Milwaukee Hole-Hawg or Super-Hawg drill with 17" auger bit. Probably
1/2" would be enough. On Mon, 19 Jun 2006 07:04:57 GMT, "Rudy" wrote: There are extenders, and there are very long bits. Rent or borrow a quality drill (you'll have to buy the bit) and it will take two minutes. Our local rental place INCLUDES the bits |
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