Hey everyone! I'm looking to drill an 8-inch hole through my brick and concrete building facade for venting an 8" air duct pipe. The catch is that the existing hole is 16 feet up, and while I have a ladder that reaches, I'm a bit concerned about drilling from that height. I'm thinking about using an 8" hole saw bit on my hammer drill and maybe getting a safety harness for extra security. Any advice on how to tackle this?
4 Answers
For bigger jobs like this, consider getting a core drill from a rental place. They usually have 'coring bits' specifically made for this kind of work. Just remember to start at an angle to help guide it better. Watching some tutorials online can really make this easier too!
You might want to consider hiring a professional concrete cutter for this. They can get the job done in under an hour, and if you don't have the experience or tools, it's definitely worth it. It could save you a lot of trouble (and potential injuries) in the long run!
First off, an 8" hole saw is great for this job, but just a heads up — those bits can get pretty pricey, usually between $170 and $230. If you're looking to save some cash, when I drilled a smaller hole through a block wall, I used a 1/4" masonry bit to create a bunch of small pilot holes around the circle. A few good hits with a hammer, and voilà , a clean hole! Just be prepared to make a lot of holes for an 8" cut, but it can work!
Yeah, I did something similar, and it worked fine for me!
Sounds like a solid plan, definitely give it a try!
I suggest renting an SDS max and a coring bit along with a man lift for safety. This setup will help you get through the wall quickly and safely. Trust me, it’ll save you a lot of time and hassle and be finished in just a few minutes!
Great idea! Should I be using water while drilling to cool the bit?
I get that, but my landlord has been pretty unhelpful about expenses and wants me to do it myself.