Anything better than Tapcon?

[GreenGA]

We started drilling holes in the face of the brick fireplace, mentioned in another thread, and only got 12 1.25 inch holes out of the masonry drill bit.  [embarassed]  Are there recommendations for a better bit than the Tapcons?

I know that in the past we were able to get more holes out of a bit.

Thanks.

 

[sae]

I've had good success with Bosch bits, but I've never tried anything that big.

edit: wait a second. Tapcon doesn't make anything that big...

 

[Deansocial]

Jaysus, 12 holes? Id expect atleast 120 hole even in the hardest of brick. I use irwin bits at the mo.

 

[tjbnwi]

I use the Bosch Blue Granite bits. Sometimes a hammer drill is your enemy, try drill without the hammer mode on.

Are they really 1-1/4" holes (or 0.125"---1/8" holes)? Why 1/8"?? Tapcons are 5/32 or 3/16 bit.

Try the Spax multi material construction screws, way, way better than Tapcons.

Tom

 

[GreenGA]

The holes are 5/32 × 1.25 deep. And yes, 12 holes until the bit required more pushing force than we thought necessary because of a fear of breaking the bit.

Also, no hammer, no impact, just straight on drilling using the C15.

 

[sae]

Get a hammer drill and you'll get ~60 holes/hr. Get an SDS and you'll get ~600 holes/hr. Don't keep trying w/ the C15, that's a waste of everyone's time.

 

[NHSP759]

GreenGA, it's a bit of work but I just spent the last three hours working on my "new" workshop in the basement. I just drove a bunch of 1/4" Tapcons with my Dewalt DCD985 hammer drill. I forgot what a pain in the neck that was. Anyways, my bit needed to be cooled after every couple of holes and I noted after placing 10 PT 2x the shaft is somewhat bent.

 

[EdL]

IME, the Tapcon bits are junk, I don't even use them, just pitch 'em. Last bits I bought were Bosch, held up great.

I use a corded Milwaukee hammerdrill for the holes and drive the screws with an impact driver (brushless DeWalt).

I've found that any other way is an exercise in futility.

Ed

 

[GreenGA]

I was waiting for the Festool hammer drill to appear on these shores before getting a new hammer drill;  our calls for a hammer drill are not that often. However, I just remembered a Dewalt DW989 I retired before discovering the slippery slope. The batteries are now on charge.  [embarassed]

We used the C15 and T18 for drilling and driving. The DeWalt should move things along.

 

[roblg3]

GRK makes really nice masonary screws that can be taken in and out unlike tap on.  Bosch bits are pretty good.  Most everything tapcon makes is lower quality including the screws, IMO

 

[GreenGA]

Thanks for that. We've been slowly switching over to GRK as our existing supply of fasteners dwindles.

GRK makes really nice masonary screws that can be taken in and out unlike tap on.  Bosch bits are pretty good.  Most everything tapcon makes is lower quality including the screws, IMO

 

[Holzhacker]

Bosch SDS bits and drill. Fast, easy and reliable.
Not a big fan of the tapioca bits, they work but aren't great from my experience.
Don't know what you are mounting but I'm a big fan of plastic anchors in brick. Drilled hole in the brick holds reliably, drilled hole in mortar will depend on mortar condition. Not a fan of plastic anchors overall but don't hesitate to use them in brick.
Plastic anchors are worthless in drywall, contrary to what every bathroom fixture manufacturer would like you to believe.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

GRK makes really nice masonary screws that can be taken in and out unlike tap on.  Bosch bits are pretty good.  Most everything tapcon makes is lower quality including the screws, IMO

+1 for the GRK screws. Their  "Caliburn" concrete screws are the bees knees, very easy to drive and remove, and use a T30 bit. There are three different head geometries to choose from (one of which is code approved for specific applications) and a plethora of lengths.

http://www.grkfasteners.com/index.php/en/products/caliburn

For drilling in masonry, I've been transitioning over to Hilti for all of my bits. https://www.us.hilti.com/drilling-%26-demolition/hammer-drill-bits-%28sds%29/435003

Don't waste your time with a hammer drill, get a corded (!!) Rotary Hammer, particularly if you only infrequently drill in masonry. If you are only infrequently drilling in concrete, a good rotary hammer will last you the rest of your career, so it wouldn't make sense to get the cordless option.

For 5/16" holes, a Hilti TE-2 or TE-2 S would be plenty powerful. https://www.us.hilti.com/drilling-%26-demolition/rotary-hammers/r3683

Also, +1 to using either plastic anchors or epoxy for fastening into softer brick.

 

[waho6o9]

I've always had luck with a rotary hammer, SDS bits, and

red heads.

Tapcons are a waste of resources IMHO.

 

[tjbnwi]

I use GRK's for everything but concrete/masonry fastening. I have found the Spax are far superior to both the Tapcons and GRK Caliburn screws, especially in brick and block.

Tom

 

[GreenGA]

This is exactly what we're doing. The 12 holes we drilled, thus far, we're for the plastic anchors.

Don't know what you are mounting but I'm a big fan of plastic anchors in brick. Drilled hole in the brick holds reliably, drilled hole in mortar will depend on mortar condition. Not a fan of plastic anchors overall but don't hesitate to use them in brick.

 

[JSlovic]

I concur on a corded hammer drill
I bought a bosch sds plus to remodel two bathrooms with the idea of selling it afterwards it would be cheaper and easier than renting one
The baths are done and I'm keeping the drill
1/4 hole in cinder block 3" deep in about 10 seconds

 

[Handyman Mike]

I've also had good luck with Bosch bits and Spax screws in brick. I've come to think of Tapcon fasteners as screw-shaped objects rather than screws. In one really frustrating job, installing flagpoles in brick in a very windy area, the wind managed to pull the screws and anchors right out of the brick. Spax + a high strength adhesive saved the day.

 

[overanalyze]

An sds drill is way better than a hammer drill. Rent one and get a few Bosch or Dewalt sds bits for it and you'll be done in no time.

 

[tjbnwi]

There are #8 Spax multi material screws that go into an 1/8" hole. I have not been able to find an SDS 1/8" bit.

Tom