What kind of drill bit do I need to drill a 1-1/4 hole in 5/8 gyprock? I have no scrap so I can't experiment. I have a flat wood bit in this size - will it work?
What you're refering to is known as a spade bit. It will work. I don't think spade bit necessarily make the neatest holes, but sheetrock is not tough to drill, so you should be ok if you go slowly and carefully. Can you tell us more about why you're doing this?
Personally i wouldn't use a spade bit, a hole saw will make a neater looking hole.
Originally Posted by marksr
Personally i wouldn't use a spade bit, a hole saw will make a neater looking hole.
I agree with Mark that I wouldn't personally use a spade bit. The reason for my asking why you're doing this is to get more info as to what's going on and what's available to you - I've never been in a situation where I had to drill a hole that big in rock. A hole saw would also be my preference.
As a retailer of hardware which would include drill bits obviously I would not use a spade bit either...you'd make a real mess and the bit would be toast.
From a drilling standpoint sheetrock is masonry and you have to view bit choices in that light.Masonry bits are always the best choice but there is no masonry bit the size you need.
Use a high speed hole saw....not one made only for wood but one made for metal.This type will hold up to drilling sheetrock and will give you a much cleaner hole.
Use a variable speed drill and go as slow as you can and still cut.
High speed hole saws cost more but you'll do a better job.
Reason=hole is thru a sheetrock porch ceiling under an attic for a PVC emergency air handler drain pipe.
Now that I know, I would only use a hole saw, the spade bit you have will leave and ugly hole in your ceiling. Check with your neighbors and I bet you will find a hole saw among them so that you wouldn't have to buy one yourself (unless you have the disease like the rest of us and live for any excuse to buy a new tool).
You know, for one hole a sharp knife wielded carfully can make a 1 1/4 hole in 5/8 rock. Use a compass to draw the hole or trace around the pipe and carefully cut around the line. Yes it's slower than a drill or saw but it's only one hole.
....and any mistakes in drywall are easily repaired.
You know, the hammer head on my drywall axe is about an 1 1/4.
As a retailer of hardware which would include drill bits obviously I would not use a spade bit either...you'd make a real mess and the bit would be toast.
I use spade bits all the time to drill sheetrock , get decent looking holes on the front side , back side might rip out a little but who cares .
I have spade bits that are probably 5 years old have drilled dozens of holes in sheetrock , that still work fine for whatever i need .
toast after drilling through sheeterock
evan if it where the case spadebit is a whole lot cheaper than holesaw ...
Or you could make your own hole saw with a file and a piece of PVC. It's only one hole. Turn it by hand. I'm sure suobs has done the deed by now anyway.
Suobs, what did you use?
I gave up and just got into fetal position under the coffee table - I figured, what's a little water on damproof sheetrock?
. . . but seriously, I bought a hole saw! I'll use it anyway to run some conduit thru some walls.
Several of my co workers have seen mango man's comments. We are all glad he's not an employee here. We hate complaints from our customers.
Originally Posted by suobs
I gave up and just got into fetal position under the coffee table
got any pics?
IMO a hole saw is the best choice - ain't it nice to get new tools
Originally Posted by spdavid
Several of my co workers have seen mango man's comments. We are all glad he's not an employee here. We hate complaints from our customers.
why would I complain about a $4 bit that has drilled dozens of holes. why would a customer complian?
its the diffrence between advising customers based on making the highest dollar sale vs the cheapest most effective way to get the job done.
I dont expect good advice from the hardware clerk I figure if he knew anything he would be out working the trades making more than min wage , I just hope he can help me find where the item I know I need is kept , but half you guys cant evan do that .
no sir we dont have one of those, 10 min later I find it on my own
Im drilling holes in sheetrock all the time and I cary a assortmetn of spadebits . keep the hole saws for when there needed
you contention that a spade bit will be toast after drilling through 5/8 of basicly chalk shows a complete lack of real world exerpiance
Tags: drilling, hole, sheetrock, holes sheetrock, only hole, Originally Posted, after drilling, after drilling through, best choice, bits obviously, bits obviously would
