Close quarter drills and bits

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codeunderstanding

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Is there drills and bits out there I know milwaukee makes a close quarter drill but is there any thing else out there. What works the best for drilling down through the top plates in attics where the pitch would be a 4/12 pitch or less where the space is limited to get the drill to go straight down?
 
codeunderstanding said:
Is there drills and bits out there I know milwaukee makes a close quarter drill but is there any thing else out there. What works the best for drilling down through the top plates in attics where the pitch would be a 4/12 pitch or less where the space is limited to get the drill to go straight down?

Cut the sheetrock below and drill up.

I used to fight for hours to avoid cutting sheetrock. Then it came to me:
sheetrock repair: 1 hour @ $50; journeyman fighting to drill down and then feed down through insulation 2 hours @ $95.

Sorry, I know this doesn't answer your question, but I couldn't help myself:grin:
 
electricguy61 said:
Cut the sheetrock below and drill up.

I used to fight for hours to avoid cutting sheetrock. Then it came to me:
sheetrock repair: 1 hour @ $50; journeyman fighting to drill down and then feed down through insulation 2 hours @ $95.

Sorry, I know this doesn't answer your question, but I couldn't help myself:grin:

Yea thats what I usually do but thought that might be a tool out there that i dont know about.
 
We had angle drills at work. If you absolutely need it it's better than nothing, but they're not for the limp wristed.:smile:

Best thing is to try to find some other way of doing it.
 
About the time I pry the third roofing nail out the back of my head from the tight quarters, I remember that cutting/patching sheet rock or conduit up the outside to an lb at the bird blocking is a whole lot easier.
 
codeunderstanding said:
Is there drills and bits out there I know milwaukee makes a close quarter drill but is there any thing else out there. What works the best for drilling down through the top plates in attics where the pitch would be a 4/12 pitch or less where the space is limited to get the drill to go straight down?

Ugly job and I don't ever envy anyone who has to do it. I usually use my milwaukee angle drill with a short bit. You may also have to turn the handle on the angle drill to make the bit reach.
 
There's not always one best way. I have used my Milwaukee angle drill, both with the short 90 and with the angled 30" extension, and I've used long flex-bits.

I have also run conduit up the outside wall, into the soffit, as well as LB'd right into the back of a box. Once, I even (gasp!) ran UF behind vinyl siding.

electricguy61 said:
"Eschew Obfuscation!"
Oh, stop using big words! ;)
 
I've found that on some jobs it's easier to cut and patch but there are customers who would rather pay me to take my time one day and fish the walls blind so they won't have to worry about the time it's going to take to patch, sand then rehanging wallpaper that might have cost $200 a sheet.

I have a milwaukee drill with extension and the chuck on that is at a 33 degree angle, with a short bit I can drill some tight spots. I've also found that a 5 or 6' flex bit works well when you don't feel like rolling around in attic insulation. I like the 6' bit because I can drill both the base plate and the 4' fireblock from the basement.

One word of caution on flex bits through, learn to gauge the angle your drilling or you'll do some patching.
 
electricguy61 said:
Cut the sheetrock below and drill up.

I used to fight for hours to avoid cutting sheetrock. Then it came to me:
sheetrock repair: 1 hour @ $50; journeyman fighting to drill down and then feed down through insulation 2 hours @ $95.

Sorry, I know this doesn't answer your question, but I couldn't help myself:grin:

You forgot to add the painter and even bigger question is PAINT .Not everyone has touch up paint.Also even a good drywall guy is not likely to drive to job and patch in 1 hour.
I warn customer before i start if holes are likely
 
Close quarter drills and bits

They make bits that are called flex bits in lengths of 5 and 6 foot
You can drill down threw fire blocks
We also can take out a switch box and drill down or through studs without messing up Sheetrock
Also us them for cutting in recess lights in ceilings without hurting the Sheetrock
They come with a hole at the end of the bit to tie a wire on and pull it threw
I get mine at Rexel
Semper Fi
 
codeunderstanding said:
What works the best for drilling down through the top plates in attics where the pitch would be a 4/12 pitch or less where the space is limited to get the drill to go straight down?

This is very tricky , even with the flexible bits,.. is it a 2x6 wall at least?? if not,.. check and see how good a set of flood lights will look,.. you are most likely gonna see day light...
 
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