Drilling Holes in Masonry

Most electric drills will bore small holes in masonry with a carbide bit, but it's slow going. If you attempt to drill holes larger than about 3/8 inch in diameter, the drill is likely to overheat. If you're drilling holes that big, rent a hammer drill, a tool that looks like an oversized electric drill and hammers rapidly while it turns the bit. Push the tool against the work to increase the hammering power and, thus, the drilling speed. Use the proper size drill for your project. When you rent the tool, check that the chuck key, side handles and depth gauge are included.

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