Drill bits

[Shade Tree Welder]

S&D drills are designed for metal.

Use a wood boring drill.

Example.
https://www.amazon.com/Termight-8in-...%2C1628&sr=8-9

[greywynd]

I’d second Shade’s suggestion. Having grown up on a lake and doing lots of things similar to what you are, don’t be afraid to allow extra clearance between hole and hardware.

Water soaked wood is like drilling through a sponge, the hole will collapse some as soon as the drill comes back out, and also will want to bind going through.

Using a long spade drill will be the cheapest option, but will require a lot of effort to get all the chips out. An auger should work, hope that the wood isn’t so wet that it wants to swell and pinch the auger.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ironman]

I'd use a 20" ships auger to drill it and don't worry about the hole collapse, even if you have to reverse the drill to get out. What you are doing is making an area of less resistance.
After drilling two timbers then take a piece of rebar and rent a SDS hammer drill with a post pounder attachment, and drive the rebar in the hole. You can point the rebar but it works without that.
Depending on the wood, sometimes you can drive the rebar through without predrilling.

[digr]

Thank's all for the input, we will use auger bits and will let you know how it works out.

[Matt Shade]

Plus one on the auger bits. They are pretty easy to find now and not very expensive and it will clear chips and drill with a lot less effort.

[digr]

Well it was a success, I extended both auger bits and reduced shank bits using 1/2" rod and milled three flats on them for the drill chuck. I luckily didn't have to do any of the drilling. The auger bits were a bitch to get out of the hole to clear the chips, most of the drilling was done with the reduced shank bits made for steel, drill three inches at a time and completely remove the bit to clear the chips. Drill bits were 5/8" dia. and 18" and 46" long. And we did hit a few spikes along the way.

[Scotts]

awesome!!!

Thanks for the update

Scott

[greywynd]

If they are water soaked, the wood swells and shrinks the hole. They also don’t seem to drill as cleanly, leaving the holes almost ‘furry’ as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[arizonian]

Can't add any more than what's been said. Now on the the next project.