Drill bit size?

[olly]

What size drill bit do you use for roughing houses 7/8"? Just curious if there is a standard size generally used.

 

[acin]

7/8 hole in the center of a 3 1/2 stud will have a 1/16 larger required distance to wire so no nail plate

 

[electrofelon]

I use 7/8 most of the time

 

[LarryFine]

That's what I grew up on as a helper, too, but I use several sizes, depending.

 

[480sparky]

0.875"

 

[lucky1974]

7/8 hole in the center of a 3 1/2 stud will have a 1/16 larger required distance to wire so no nail plate

The way I see it is the stud is 3 1/2 inches. 1 inch hole is compliant. Because you will still have 1 1/4 from each face. Am I wrong here. (Edited for spelling)

 

[LarryFine]

The way I see it is the stud is 3 1/2 inches. 1 inch hole is compliant. Because you will still have 1 1/4 from each face. Am I wrong here. (Edited for spelling)

No. The extra margin allows for less than perfect centering and/or perpendicular drilling.

 

[James L]

I worked for several shops, and all used 7/8"

I use 3/4" now

 

[infinity]

I use 3/4" also, need more than that then drill two holes. For a single 14/2 for something like lighting might even go with 1/2".

 

[augie47]

Code knowledge in this rural area is rare and 1" + bits are commonplace. A wise investment is in nail plate stock.......

 

[James L]

The way I see it is the stud is 3 1/2 inches. 1 inch hole is compliant. Because you will still have 1 1/4 from each face. Am I wrong here. (Edited for spelling)

You are correct, so long as you drill 100% center of the stud and 100% straight going through.

As @LarryFine said, the smaller bit allows for imperfect drilling

 

[Buck Parrish]

I too, use several sizes. You can drill holes fast with a half inch paddle bit in a 120 volt high speed drill.
On custom homes. I treat the studs as if it were my own home. Therefore I keep the holes as minimal as possible.

But on apartments , yes likely the 7/8s stays in the big drills

 

[infinity]

I like to do less work, A 1" hole removes 4X the amount of wood that is required for a 1/2" hole. A 3/4" hole removes more than twice the amount of wood required for a 1/2" hole. For me the smaller the hole the better.

 

[James L]

I like to do less work, A 1" hole removes 4X the amount of wood that is required for a 1/2" hole. A 3/4" hole removes more than twice the amount of wood required for a 1/2" hole. For me the smaller the hole the better.

I drill out using 2-18v hammer drills, so smaller is better up to a point.

I use the Diablo/Bosch spade bits with the corkscrew on the tip. I have a 6" bit in one drill, and a 6" bit + 12" extension in the other drill. The coupler on the extension is 5/8" diameter, so I need a hole bigger than that.

I just use a 3/4" for almost everything and then I have consistent hole sizes

 

[Frank DuVal]

5/8" Just to be different! Centering not critical.

With the small 14-2 now, I use 1/2" on some lighting holes.

7/8" is for PEX plumbing....

And I use "ship's augers" and extensions so I can drill top plates just walking around.