need home hardware help

[kimchicowboy]

my landlord tells me that behind the drywall is cinderblock. i tried drilling through it last night with a drillbit that goes through metal. didn't work. do you know what kind of drillbit i need and screw anchors to use to install a shelf?

thanks! :)

[Markel]

A carbide-tipped masonry bit. A hammer drill will help a lot.

[Prngr44]

...and if you're using a cordless, be prepared for a couple of charges depending on the type of masonry. :)

Have fun!

[Markel]

...and if you're using a cordless, be prepared for a couple of charges depending on the type of masonry. :)

Have fun!
Cinder block isn't nearly as bad as concrete. But kimchicowboy should also be sure to use the correct type of anchor for cinder block.

[Jeffbx]

A hammer drill will help a lot.


Beg, borrow or steal a hammer drill. You're talking a 1 minute job with a hammer drill vs. a good 10-15 minutes of abusing a normal drill to get through.

[hoey222]

tapcon screws (http://www.confast.com/products/tapcon-concretescrew.aspx?gclid=CMjp9qLwgIkCFS7OJAodOQnV3w)

they sell them in home depot or wherever. you can buy the screws and bit in the same box. if you have a harbor freight nearby you can get a hammer drill for like $40.

[kimchicowboy]

Beg, borrow or steal a hammer drill. You're talking a 1 minute job with a hammer drill vs. a good 10-15 minutes of abusing a normal drill to get through.
i wish i knew anyone that has one of these.


tapcon screws
they sell them in home depot or wherever. you can buy the screws and bit in the same box. if you have a harbor freight nearby you can get a hammer drill for like $40.
would i drill a hole the length of the screw? how do these screw into concrete or cinder block?

[BigJon]

Hehe...did you make sure first that you aren't drilling through a utility pipe or something? :heh:

[hoey222]

would i drill a hole the length of the screw? how do these screw into concrete or cinder block?

Yes - you drill the hole the length of the screw. they make different length screws. it holds because the hole you drill is ever so slightly smaller than the screw. the screw is specially designed to grab in concrete or cinder block. you use a phillips head screwdriver (bit) ot some have a hex head. they make different screws for different applications. a home depot or lowes would have a bunch of different sizes on the wall. read the packages - i think they give a description for the best application.

you could also look for concrete or cinder block mollies. for these you would need to drill a pretty big hole. the molly slides in the hole and as you crank the bolt into the molly the sides of the molly expand and lock into the wall.

depending on how much weight you are going to put on the shelf, i would try to go with tapcon first - its easier. its a smaller hole to drill.

[kimchicowboy]

thanks guys. i stopped by the hardware store during my lunch break and picked up a masonry drill bit and some of those blue tapcon screws. worked like a charm!