winds wrote:gtmtnbiker wrote:With the right tools, this job is a piece of cake. At the hardware store, you should look for Tapcon screws and the right size masonry drill bit. You can drill the holes using a regular drill which will take longer. Or you can use a hammer drill which will go through them like a hot knife in butter.
Don't take shortcuts. Do the job right.
Yeah I actually am using tapcon screws with a hammer drill. There's something about my wall that just doesn't like drilling. I even had a professional guy come over (he was installing blinds on our windows) who offered to help me out, he also had the proper tools and took him about 15 minutes to get half of one hole done, after that he told me he would have to charge me if he did anymore haha, I think he was tired.
That guy doesn't sound very professional if he can't drill. That and wrong tools, worn bits.
You might have a sold concrete wall not masonary block. That or your bad luck of hitting the mortar.
Either way you definitely need a hammer drill and some good bits.
There are two types of Hammer Drills.
One that vibrates by use of two metal "poker chips" rubbing against each other internally. Only for light masonary hollow block.
The other is a Rotary hammer key chuck or heavy duty SDS chuck. Has real hammers internally pounding away. Great for solid concrete.
Two types of drill bits also. Basic Masonry block which are usually cheaper and zinc plated. Solid concrete bits which are built to take that hammering.
You know the drill and bit are heavy duty when they are a SDS shank. Not cheap, get a rental for that few hour use. The SDS has a groove in the drill bit shank and special chuck in the drill to prevent slippage.
On to the concrete anchors.
The blue self tapping Tapcons probably won't work since you are having such a tough time drilling. Go for solid anchors such as Redheads. Very easy, buy the anchor size you need first. The package will state the diameter and length. match up drill diameter, then either use the side drill guide or wrap piece of masking tape around drill bit for the right drilling depth.
Masonry Block Bit
Hammer Bit
SDS Hammer Bit
Concrete Anchor
Alternate desperation method
, its a pretty huge collection). Anyways, my walls are concrete and near impossible to drill into. The 4 shelves I put up recommended I put in 5 screws each to support the weight, I wasn't able to so I put in 3 each (took me almost a week to even get those in the wall). It seemed to support it fine so I put up my collection. For the next few days I would stand in awe of all its beauty. Until one day I came home from work to find everything in ruins on my floor...
