Enlarging existing hole in concrete block (70 years old)


Has the copper line been removed or are you trying to work around it? If it has been removed, a hammer and chisel, or hammer drill with a chisel or point will easily enlarge an existing hole. If it is still in place and functioning set over a safe distance and make a new hole with a concrete drill (3/4" pipe should go through an 1-1/8" hole). You should be able to rent a drill and bit.
 
I forget what Dad called them ? Star drills ? They are a steel fluted end in different sizes fairly
long handle. You can drive it in and turn to another spot and drive it in again thus enlarging the
hole.
 
I just drilled a 2 inch hole in 103 year concrete block.
Concrete is like iron. I wish it was cinder block.
I used a hole saw. I knew it was going to be a challenge because
I had to drill a hole in the past for a wash machine drain.
I used a 1/2 dewalt hammer drill.
In the regular mode, I got nowhere. I had to use the hammer
mode.

Find a long 10 inch masonry bit or drill many smaller holes to
make a circle. Then use a big hammer and a piece of metal pipe
and punch out the hole.

If you use smaller masonry bits, drill near a mortar joint so
you can go outside and drill in the same location.
 
If it's 70 years old. That would put it in the early 50's. May be Cinder block. 3/4"or 1" masonry bit would enlarge it.
 
I need a dryer vent through eight inch solid poured Concrete wall thick and about 4 inch dia. Do you think with a 1/2 Dewalt hammer drill and star bits it could be done? I was trying lower in the cinder block but it is about 20 inches through 2 cinder blocks and maybe filled in center and openings. I gave up because I didn't know if I could match the holes up all the way through. The vent goes through doorway now which has to be open and does not matter since no one lives there and basement is for storage anyway??
 
For a 4 inch hole use a core drill to fit the pipe and it should be a done deal with the core drill. I believe you need to use water on the core drill during drilling. For a 3/4 pipe I would just use an inch masonry bit and drill the hole through then slip ths pipe through. Fittings I would put on after it was through the hole.
 
Star drill is driven with a sledge hammer. Think "John Henry."

When Dad died mom wanted the tool shed locked up. It has sliding doors so best we could do is run chains through the cinder block walls and the doors. We had to drill a hole and we used an old star drill we got from our grandfather's estate. It did not make a very clean hole in the cinder block. Lots of spalling around the hole.
 
Poured 8 inch concrete, No you need something bigger.
Cinder block, yes a half inch dewalt hammer drill should do it with ease.
 
I have drilled a circular pattern for the hole circumference using a 3/16 bit on a hammer drill. Then knock out the rest with a hammer and punch. After the pipe is in, patch with some
concrete filler or caulk.
 
(quoted from post at 05:19:43 04/25/23) Need to switch gas line through block wall from 5/8" copper tubing to 3/4" black iron pipe. Any advice welcome.

I've got an old Hilti hammer drill I'll have to check what size my largest bit is.
 
I have run dryer vents above the basement wall.
Drill a 4 inch hole in the wood.

Use metal vents, not plastic.
 
I need to look at the options?? The old farm house started as a 2 room shack 100 plus years and rooms were built on about 70 years ago with hand dug basement and thick framing and foundations. Very crude modifications. Funny that very old concrete is a strange composition. Some very fine sand and very hard. Cleddy
 
My hammer drill from HF would do it in a couple of minutes, but my biggest drill bit is 1 inch, and 3/4 pipe
is 1.050. And you don't want to damage the threads forcing it through. Maybe find some pipe made in china, it's probably undersized!
 
3/4 Black pipe is 1 1/8 in diameter. I would get a 1 1/4 tile and masonry drill bit and drill it with that. It's like a piece of pipe with diamond chips glued to the end of it instead of teeth. It takes a little patience to get it started but will drill the concrete like butter. You can use an extension made for a paddle bit to achieve the additional depth.
 
I have gone through concrete block using a 1/4 masonary bit. Draw a circle the size of the hole you want , then drill several holes around
the diameter with the small bit and then a hammer and a point will break it out and you will have the hole. When your pipe is installed a
twowel full of mortar will seal wverything up.
 

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