[jwholden]

I would like to install landscape lighting on the side of a stone wall that is about 18" thick. To make this happen I need to drill a 1/2" hole through the wall.

How hard is it to find a bit for a hammer drill that will go 18" deep?

How long would it take to drill a hole 18" deep through STONE?

Thanks!!!

jw

[Bill Schwab]

Bosch Roto Hammer drills. Have bits from 3/8" up past 6" and from 12 to 36" long. Set you back $550.00 for the drill, each bit starts around $30.00 and goes well over $200.00. Rental fees, $55.00 a day, plus $10.00 for the bit.

[PSUscaper]

only concern is damaging the surface. For a 1/2 hole, a hammer drill should be fine. If the light fixture will cover the hole, then you will be able to cover up any chipping/flaking around the hole. If you very concerned about cracking the rock (which can happen) or ruining the surface, they you may need a core bit, but that may be a little tricky at that depth.

I own two hammer drills now. Both were purchased on ebay. One is a older AEG that handles a 1" bit no problem. Think I got the drill, and 3 bits (1", 1/2", and 3/8") for $60! Well over 600, 700 if you were to buy new. I can't even count the hundreds of holes this thing has drilled for me, and still no problems. The thing looks like it was dropped off a sky scraper, but hasn't missed a beat yet.

The next one I got was a large Wacker "magic", which is equivalent to about a 30lb-40lb jack hammer. Bought this one for $500 and it was like new, sells for close to 1k, and came with one chipping bit.

If you buy a hammer drill, be sure to get a dual mode, hammer only and hammer drill. Much more versatile. That's why I purchased my second one, as the first only had drill mode.

Look on ebay.....I can't promise the same luck, but I couldn't justify spending all that money on a new tool that may not be used for months and months.

For the same price as a day rental, you can find a used one with bits, and if it lasts one day.......you made out......but it will probably be with you for a lot longer.

and for time, it shouldn't take but a few minutes to get all the way through.

[Rex Mann]

JW,

We use a Bosch 1/2 Hammer drill for this type size and type of application. We have a 1/2 bit, which is 18-inches long. Put it on hammer and you are through in under a minute. Do not try to save money using economy bits. Spend the money and get a quality one.

Best of luck.

Rex

paversinstalled.com

[Paul]

We have had problems with 1/2" bits over 18" long. So we stopped using that narrow of bits, we start with 7/8" bits and go to 1 1/4" up to 36" long. You didn't say what type of stone you are drilling in and that makes a difference. Most limestone and softer stone you don't have too much of a problem. Harder stone you might get some spaling at the start of the hole. One other thing is to use a shorter bit to start your hole it's easier to control a shorter bit at the beginning. Drills, you should get one that is spline drive, I have found that the SDS and SDS Max don't have the torque that the spline drill do. Start your hole at a slow speed then open it up once yo have gotten the bit about 1/2" to 2" into the stone.

One last Thing Bosch makes it's larger bits, called wild bore that have extra carbide on them, they really make the drillling faster.

[jwholden]

Thanks guys.

The fixtures I'm installing are about the size of a hockey puck and covering any chipped stone won't be a problem.

Now that I know it can be done I'll tell the mason not to bother installing sleeves for the lights. I was having trouble explaining the locations to him. Just build the wall and I'll take care of it.

[scott C]

like penn said find a hammer drill with a dual mode.

[Stonehenge]

I was just thinking about how much I appreciate having my hammer drill. It's a Bosch SDS, and has 3 modes: drill only, hammer only, and hammer/drill. The thing is great for chipping out old mortar, punching holes through foundations, drilling through stone, etc. I haven't tried to drill an 18" hole yet, and since Paul directed me to the Bosch a few years ago and he has since moved on to something heavier duty, I'd defer to him for that kind of hole.

[jwholden]

I spoke with the mason today and he was not thrilled about a hammer drill pounding into his wall. Seems he was afraid his stones would come loose.

Never thought of that...

[chesie]

Has the wall been completed yet?

[Paul]

The mason is worried about stones in the wall coming loose? I'd be worried about the mason's job before I'd worry about the stones coming loose on any job we have had done.!

I still don't know what type of stone it's made of? That might change my mine if it's granite but most softer stones are no problem for a hammer drill.

[jwholden]

The wall is in the process of being built. The mason did a great job of putting conduit in the wall to run the wires for the lights, just that four of six are in the wrong location. I am starting to understand what it is like to be a 'designer' or 'architect' and walk onto a jobsite. I wish I didn't let the mason know I speak broken spanish, I would have loved to listen to the banter in the background.

Four pieces of conduit aren't the end of the world, a rental of a hammer drill will solve all problems and lesson learned for next time. The mason is an artist and I hope to use him on future jobs.

[chesie]

I feel your pain. We have a large lighting job going that hinges entirely on the masons putting everything in the right place. 40 fixtures....I am crossing my fingers. We have taken every measure possible to ensure correct placement- we ran all the conduits etc.

Time will tell

[jwholden]

Saw the mason again today. So far so good and I'm happy with the results. He is very nice to work with, I don't see the disinterest I often see with some trades people.

As I watched his help building the wall I saw that they used 3-4" stones as fill in the middle than cover that with mortar. The wall is solid, but those little pieces wouldn't react kindly to a hammer drill.

We discussed the location of the conduit and he is going to dismantle part of the wall to get it in the right place.

I suppose this is part of my learning experience working with other trades to acheive a symbiotic relationship. Trying to achieve the balance of not being a PITA, giving him some leeway to be creative and use his knowledge and skills, and getting the job done right.

So far so good.

[Paul]

You still don't have a problem with drilling a wall. Once the stones have set the mass of the wall allows the drill to do it's thing. You would be surprised at how easy it is to drill small stones, even tho it might take a bit longer. Bosch hammer drills have a speed control that allows you to vari the amount of percussion that you can use. If you where to drill thin stone you set the drill to a slower speed, heavier stone needs more percussion.