Your next big project may be to put up shelves, install lights, hang paintings, and involve drilling into concrete. Concrete bricks are more hardened surfaces than ordinary cement, brick, or mortar. Usually, the recommended and go-to tool for this task is the hammer drill. However, you may have your garage stock full of different devices or power drills and still lack the hammer drill.
Even without the hammer drill, there are ways you can use the regular drill to save you a tremendous amount of time and accomplish your task. You would have to select the right tools from the vast array of masonry drill bits.
Can You Drill into Concrete without a Hammer Drill?
The hammer drill is specifically designed to drive masonry drill bits into concrete successfully without needing several drill bits or overheating the motor. Perhaps you don’t have a hammer drill to carry out your projects; the regular drill is another dependable option.
However, even if comparing its effectiveness when drilling into concrete with that of the hammer drill is impossible, the regular one can still perform the task. With your power tool combined with the right set of masonry drill bits, some nails, a bit of time and dedication, you can use your regular drill for concrete drilling.
But this does not mean your regular drill should be your go-to power tool for concrete; it is only a good alternative. If you are going to be drilling into concrete more frequently, then buy or just rent a hammer drill as your project requires.
How do Masonry and Concrete Drill Bits work?
Amidst every type of bit, masonry drill bits are by far the best when it comes to concrete. They have a lower risk of breakage or damage due to the much thicker diameter of the tip and build-up of heavy-duty tungsten carbide.
You are used to your regular cordless drill being sufficient for all your past home projects, where you drive new holes in walls or wood with ease.
If hammer drills are built for heavier duty materials like cement and concrete, the masonry drill bits can easily make the job quicker. With incredibly high speed and power, instead of just rotating, the hammer drill knocks the bit into the concrete.
5 Tips for Drilling into Concrete without a Hammer Drill
1. Our best recommendation is to have different sizes of masonry drill bits ready to be used. The power of the hammer drill cannot be compared with the regular drill when it comes to digging into concrete.
The best option is to start with the smaller sized masonry drill bits and gradually work your way up to the larger ones. It is much easier this way! Also, do not go for cheap drill bits. They never last long and will eventually cost you more money in the long run.
2. The main target is for an efficiently accomplished job, not the time you spend doing it. Pushing the regular drill to speed the time will only burn out its motor and leave you stranded. Start slow and gradually proceed with increasing the speed it suits you. But, let your focus be on the efficiency and accuracy rather than maxing out the speed of your drill.
3. Concrete, mortar, or bricks are solid materials, and concrete is even the toughest to get through. Put into consideration the age of the concrete. Newer ones are easier, but the regular drills will find it difficult to grind through older concretes. For more past samples, you may just have to get a hammer drill for the project. Hammer drills are not so expensive to rent. Some even come with a set of masonry drill bits.
4. While drilling into concrete, more heat is created through friction, and since your regular drill is not built for this kind of job, it may overheat. During the work process, you may need to apply some water to the drill bit at intervals to keep it cool. Jut ensure not to overwork the motor.
5. Sometimes, you may come across hard spots or stones in the concretes; in these situations, you could also pull out and expand the drill bit. When the hole is bigger, then use a large nail with a hammer to break the stone obstructing your progress. Also, to avoid obstructions, remove undesired particles as you drill.
The Best Way to Screw into Concretes without a Hammer Drill
Some of the most important tools you need for this task is a regular drill and a set of masonry drill bits. Remember that the concrete is incredibly strong, durable, and is made to last.
There are a few steps to follow.
1. The best way to screw into concrete with the standard drill is to by using very high-quality masonry drill bits. They are meant for drilling concretes. If you use the regular drill bits that are only good for wood or metal, you will only have a worn-out piece of metal sticking out of the chuck of your drill, and you may even lose your tool.
2. Begin with the ones with smaller sizes. Of course, it may take some time and require more work. But this way, you use the smaller bit with a sharper tip to penetrate the concrete. Consistently apply pressure on the drill to keep it going, but also ensure you are not overheating the motor.
3. After the starter hole, the next move is to work up to the larger masonry drill bits. With the transitioning, slowly increase the size of the bits and re-drill the hole until you get your final aim.
4. The aggregate mix of gravel and sand make the concrete so strong, but you still have to get through all that. It is a challenging task for the regular drill. However, it can be done! So at any point where you notice the masonry bit is no longer going through or appear to be stuck, you may need to use a hammer to break through the blockage. Then continue your drilling.
5. You must have some water around you, in case your motor starts overheating. The regular drill is not made precisely to work on concrete, so expect it to overheat at some point. When it gets too hot or starts sputtering, apply some water to the bit to keep it calm.
Conclusion
There is no argument that the concrete can be a beast to drill into and may require specialized tools to handle. But in situations where you have a project, and you don’t have the right drill, your regular drill can work too.
We have given you all the guidelines you need to get started with your project, even without your hammer drill. So take a walk down to the hardware store, get your tool, and start creating.
