putting holes in concrete block for pipe

Al L. in Wisc. · Mar 14, 2014

Good morning folks! It is a dark 41°.

I've been 'tinking' how to put a few 2 ½" -2 ¾" holes in concrete block for fuel oil pipes and new electrical service. I've checked at Menard's and no masonry circular hole saws. Is my solution to drill standard holes using a masonry bit, forming a circle in the ~ diameter; knock it out and go from their? Oh yeah, it is at my mom's place and I have driven my tractor(s) there. Thanks for any input.

Greenday · Mar 14, 2014

Most tool rental places will offer a rotary hammer with core drill bits that will make a perfect hole through masonary. Dave

JF in MI · Mar 14, 2014

For a hole that size in block I find that 30-06 is just about right.

Dick L · Mar 14, 2014

I have always used a masonry star drill/chisel and hammer. It always seemed faster than dragging cords and drills holes for pipe or tile.

Steve@Advance · Mar 14, 2014

Depending how neat and clean you need it to be, a masonry hole saw will do a nice job. Even if it won't make it all the way through, go as deep as it will go then tap it with a hammer.

If you just want to get through with a few rough edges, use the circle drill method you described. Just be careful not to shatter the block!

Matt in TN · Mar 14, 2014

If the block is hollow, just get a short length of pipe and drive it through the block with a hammer. Be careful on the back side as the block will likely blow out. Listen to the tone of the block when you are hammering. It will change right before the pipe busts through.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 14, 2014

Yeah, I could have him 2 holes in a hr or less, Just drill a small hole then enlarge it with hammer and chisel. I"m not as fast as I use to be But it" still wouldn"t be to bad of a job. Don"t cost much money to do it this way. Use to do a lot of them to put 1" water lines in.

Sean Feeney · Mar 14, 2014

If its within city limits in some states could be a very expensive hole, or in your state who the heck knows
CT

Dick L · Mar 14, 2014

When I was laying block I had a star chisel or I called it a star drill and a block chisel in my apron. Cut foundation end blocks without getting out of the trench. You don't get as many blocks laid walking around. Back then some of the time the walls got laid up before and power was available. Probly not many know what a motor box is. They don't have cords to plug in.

^D

JF in MI · Mar 14, 2014

Are you thinking I'm going to apply for a building permit listing "firearm" as the building method? Or perhaps a YouTube video of my construction technique? I have found that my neighbors who know I'm a gun owner don't complain to me much about anything.;-)

rustyfarmall · Mar 14, 2014

(quoted from post at 04:41:27 03/14/14) Good morning folks! It is a dark 41°.

I've been 'tinking' how to put a few 2 ½" -2 ¾" holes in concrete block for fuel oil pipes and new electrical service. I've checked at Menard's and no masonry circular hole saws. Is my solution to drill standard holes using a masonry bit, forming a circle in the ~ diameter; knock it out and go from their? Oh yeah, it is at my mom's place and I have driven my tractor(s) there. Thanks for any input.

When I needed a hole in the concrete block foundation to run the new electric service, I strung out an air hose and used my mini jack hammer. Otherwise known as an air chisel, or sometimes called a muffler gun. It did the job better than anything else I have seen used.

Rick Kr · Mar 14, 2014

Greenday has it right. Rent a core drill. Home Depot has them around here plus the bigger rental places do too.

I have used my air chisel on small stuff in a pinch.

Rick

Pops1532 · Mar 14, 2014

Rent a diamond core bit. Any time you use the other methods you run the risk of ending up with a big chunk of block breaking out.

dpendzic · Mar 14, 2014

what i have done is take a hammer and knock a hole thru the hollow sections. after pipe is in patch with a mortar mix and finish off smooth

Geo-TH,In · Mar 14, 2014

I bought a diamond hole saw kit at Harbor Freight.
Yes, the china store, the one everyone hates. Had a
20% off coupon. It wasn't that expensive. It was
worth the one hole I needed. I've used a few times
after that.

varmint · Mar 14, 2014

(quoted from post at 07:33:49 03/14/14) Are you thinking I'm going to apply for a building permit listing "firearm" as the building method? Or perhaps a YouTube video of my construction technique? I have found that my neighbors who know I'm a gun owner don't complain to me much about anything.;-)

they would in texas

Rich_WI · Mar 14, 2014

(quoted from post at 06:41:27 03/14/14) Good morning folks! It is a dark 41°.

I've been 'tinking' how to put a few 2 ½" -2 ¾" holes in concrete block for fuel oil pipes and new electrical service. I've checked at Menard's and no masonry circular hole saws. Is my solution to drill standard holes using a masonry bit, forming a circle in the ~ diameter; knock it out and go from their? Oh yeah, it is at my mom's place and I have driven my tractor(s) there. Thanks for any input.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...TVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0CK781D3KZV2WTVK074A

Plugging chisel. Mark the circle in the core of the block and follow the mark round and round. If the core of the block is empty, (not filled with concrete or mortar) it will only take 5 minutes per side of the block. If its filled, its gonna take a while. In that case, try to find a diamond core drill. A cheaper carbide bit will go through but dont expect it to last for more than this use. You can use a hammer drill with small 1/4 inch bit but thats a long, frustrating day too.

Where you live, R-burg area if I remember right? Or am I thinking of somebody else?

putting holes in concrete block for pipe

Al L. in Wisc.

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Greenday

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JF in MI

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Dick L

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Steve@Advance

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Matt in TN

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Anonymous-0

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Sean Feeney

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Dick L

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JF in MI

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rustyfarmall

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Rick Kr

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Pops1532

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dpendzic

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Geo-TH,In

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varmint

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Rich_WI

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