Most homeowners are going to have a hard time justifying an SDS hammer drill, though renting one is a good option. I’ve drilled dozens of holes into concrete and brick with my standard Makita and Ryobi hammer Drills and they work just fine as long as the bits are of good quality and are still sharp.
That's a really great demo, Scott. Thank you! 2 things I would add, one from experience and one from inexperience: Along with instructing not to over-tighten and thereby strip the hole, I should mention how the hole needs to be deeper than the screw (bc I've seen people neglect this and have a really tough time getting the screw all the way in) and along that vein, it's really much smarter to drive the Tapcon screws with a quarter inch magnetic nut driver, and NOT the flat head screw driver slot! 😱 Ugh. It really is basic DIY, but if you're just getting started with power tools, using and knowing to use something as straight forward as a nut driver is not already a given and that silly slot on the end of a Tapcon could have a newbie risking a slip that could put a screw driver through a finger! 😵🤕 I had a window treatment designer trying to do just this method with both problems before I explained to her what she could do better. Second thought: I used a Milwaukee M12 Hammer Drill combo to install window treatments in concrete and brick for nearly 2 years around the Chicago area (anything downtown is SO likely to be concrete...🙄 I guess they're afraid of fire for some reason 😂). Mainly bc it was the smallest and lightest hammer drill the guy who trained me could find (in our kind of work, weight matters a good deal) and I just followed along. Just recently, I went solo and had decided (like you said) an SDS+ bit with a Hammer Drill like you used would be worth the additional weight, and expense. But, I admit to making a very rookie mistake of my own on my first use of my awesome new Dewalt SDS+ Hammer Drill: Since on drill Combo unit you rotate the selector chuck from drill to hammer to get the impact you need for "hammer drilling" and the icon is a hammer 🔨, I was a little unclear what to use on the new model that had 2 icons, a hammer 🔨, and a drill... I've still only used it a couple times and was and am REALLY pleased with how well it worked...But, I think I need to go back and read the manual a little more carefully, as I'm pretty sure I've just dulled my expensive new bit by using the hammer setting and making holes by literally HAMMERING a bit straight into concrete instead of hammer-DRILLING (WITH rotation)! 🤦🏻😭😄 Am I right? The Hammer 🔨 icon on the Combo drill is correct for THAT device, but on an SDS+ drill the same icon means No Rotation, specifically for bits that chisel! 👷🏻 It's okay...I'm a professional. 😅 My wife got me a tee-shirt that says on it, "This is not a drill." Underneath it is a picture of a screwdriver.
I was really afraid I’d screw this up even after watching several other videos of how to do this correctly - you gave me the confidence to drill into my brick house and porch columns to put up a screen porch! Thank you. ❤
This video was posted at 6p ET and a few hours before your comment, so you saw this and then immediately put up a screen porch at the end of the day? Ok 🙄
@@mattrightmire8054 Fair enough, but the implication from that statement, I believe, would typically lead most people to conclude she not only gained the confidence but gained it and then went out and did it. I don't know, just odd to me. Maybe I'm the only one, haha
I really hope you're married and if so, your husband is a lucky man. If not, "eligible men line up single file!!! I'm married but jeez lueeze you are quite the catch😘
Great video!! With electric work, im usually using tapcons to mount emt or pvc or light fixtures. They basically work great for me. Ive always stripped out the mortar, one tip i sometimes use is to start the tapcons with my impact and then finish tightening by hand with my 10-in1.
Good video, you're brought up a lot of good points. To be quite honest with you with the blue screws. I go two size smaller than they recommend, for the drill bit size & then I just mutilate one of the blue screws throw it away. Grab another perfectly new blue screw; and try to follow the thread pattern of the previous one that I just cranked in with my hand. Another words I use a socket set to hand turn it. (But at the end of the day, I agree with you the other method is better to use the plugs.) That was a great suggestion you used --- to use the screw and then lightly push them in flush with a 🔨 hammer.
With Tapcons it is very important to clean out the hole after you drill using a shop vac. Not doing this can keep it from going in all the way or worse, snap the head off leaving the shank in the hole.
I wasted so much time and effort trying to use my standard drill. $90 bucks at harbor freight for the rotary hammer drill and it was an absolute game changer. Definitely recommend to anyone drilling into block or into your concrete slabs!
I like the tip about using a punch to prepare the hole for drilling, it should help prevent drill tip wander! I've not come across "tap con" in the UK. Rawlplugs have been around for at least 40 years, maybe longer. I always install into the mortar. Looking at the side of my neighbours house, they had ( old tech) broadband installed a decade or so ago...the installer made a real pig's ear of it, drilling through the brick with God knows what drill bit , resulting in the brick spalling off in big chunks at the cable entry points.
What a great alternative to tapcon. I’ve found that brick varies quite a bit. Just use the right size and style of bit and the right drill then the job will go smoothly. Looking forward to the next video on concrete anchors!
This is an excellent video. Side note; The foundation of my house is some sort of concrete that has small rocks/pebbles in it. The pebbles tend to be much harder than the concrete so if drilling a hole and hitting one of them its almost better to start another hole elsewhere if possible.
I install security cameras. I tend to use my cordless Bosch hammer drill when I'm only doing 1 or 2 small holes, but I use the Bauer 13 amp rotary hammer from Harbor Freight for anything more (or when I need to drill through more than a couple inches of concrete/brick). I think I got it for around $80, plus another $15-20 for the 16" bits. It's pretty wobbly and not built to the same standard as the more reputable brands, but it works and it hasn't failed me once. Something you didn't mention but is pretty important is cooling. The cordless hammer drills work at much higher RPM and hammer frequency, and combined with the smaller bits this can quickly cause overheating which can ruin a brand new masonry bit. To combat this, I use a small spray bottle of water and continuously spray the bit and the area around it as I'm drilling. Every 5 seconds or so I back the drill out and spray the bit directly and spray into the hole. This ensures the bit never gets too hot, and as a bonus it also greatly reduces the amount of dust produced (though you should still wear a mask-silicosis is no joke). Also, if you're drilling all the way through to run wires, make sure to always drill towards the unexposed side of the wall. When you break through the other side there is a good chance that the area around the hole will spall, leaving a rather ugly looking exit hole. If you're feeling lucky you can drill halfway through on one side and then finish it on the other, but this is very difficult to get right and if you're off by even a little it can cause the brick to fracture through it's entire cross-section.
I have used tapcons for years with great success. Finish tightening the tapcons by hand to prevent stripping. If you are careful you can even remove and replace them in the same hole successfully. In my opinion always use the mortar joint as you can repair it if you elect to remove whatever you have attached.
Good job. Wall plugs are great. I've even used large zip ties and redheads. Especially for mounting things. Nailing 2x material Gripcons 3/16" are a go too for Door bucks etc... what until you drill into Porcelain wall tile. PITA! They make a 5/32" SDS that does a good job for pilot holes in hard material. I'm a retired carpenter. I miss the challenge...lol? The new screw designs are awesome. You have a practical channel 👍
One point I'd like to make: at about 5:57, you advise unscrewing the chuck, a quarter turn or so, to "lock" the bit in place. This was discredited a few months ago on AvE's channel here: th-cam.com/video/8ztB1C7dERc/w-d-xo.html What you're actually doing is _disengaging_ the ratchet which keeps the chuck locked in place, leaving only the screw tension to hold the bit.
I haven’t had the opportunity to do this with brick, but I have had a couple of experiences using Tapcons with concrete block, and did not have any trouble. As far as over torking, I just had a feeling that I should avoid it snd didn’t. I work at a hardware store that sells fasteners in bulk through Hillman. The TapCons come with the correct masonry bit in the box, and when we empty the boxes into the bulk bins we let the bit go into the bins with the tapcons so any purchaser can take it along with them if they need it. Maybe other stores do this as well.
I have had good results with Tapcon, anchoring into very old, soft brick. For me, a huge benefit is the hex head option because I always seem to strip out screw heads. I can a ratchet with those. But I realized that over torquing with those - especially in soft brick - would be problematic.
Rotating the drill chuck the other direction is a myth, you should hear the sound twice when locking and that's just that, moving backwards unlocks one level of the lock mechanism. I can search for the videos or patents that prove it :D
Another good video. I can recall the first time I used a rotary hammer - I was shocked at how easily the bits went into concrete. However, for smaller holes, or when drilling into the sandstone sheathing of my house, I just use hammer drill, even though I have a cordless rotary hammer. I do like to put anchors into the mortar if I can, because it's easier to repair if I want to remove the anchor. If the bricks are soft, mortar can actually be better - in one house we had a patio and steps with very soft bricks, which sometimes cracked even when drilling into the middle of them - but for well-fired bricks, I agree they are preferable. Also, in bricks or stone, I prefer using Rawl plugs to Tapcon, because I'd cracked them with Tapcon, and I feel you get more control with an insert and a screw. Just be sure to blow all the dust out of the hole before inserting. I have had some bad luck with no-name wall anchors, though most of them are fine, so now I just stick with name-brands like Rawl and Fischer. (Sort of like Wago vs random Chinese stuff, although not as risky).
I put up a flag pole and put tap con screws in mortar. The pole did not stay up long. Then I put the tap con screws in the brick and it has stayed in place.
As a retired mason, I loved plumbers and electricians drilling into bricks. The brick would crack and I would get paid to replace them!😀 Hilti invented tapcons back in the 80s. Before they came around we used Rawl caulkins made of lead and zinc.
We live in a historic neighborhood with lots of old brick (which I understand is softer) and the explicit requirement for any exterior fastened thing is to drill and fasten to the mortar, because 1) AIUI repointing would be a ton cheaper than replacing a cracked brick, and 2) breaching the outer surface of the brick is just asking for weather to do a number to the whole wall.
Such a great demonstration of drilling into bricks. Can you do one for stucco? I want to attach a hose reel to the side of my house and I don't want to make a mistake
For us DIYers, there is another option - 1/4" impact driver with masonry impact bits. These work substantially better than a regular cordless drill with hammer function, in fact, they're nearly as good as an SDS for small holes for tapcons or small anchors like this. If you do any mechanical work or run a lot of deck screws, you probably already have an impact, and just need the bit. Try it out, it works great. I'll never use a regular drill driver with the hammer function again.
Thanks for the very informative video. I’m curious if that DIY tool drill hammer would unscrew those blue screws from concrete to help remove studs/wall?
5:58 noooooo don't do this. It doesn't lock the chuck, it actually unlocks the keyless mechanism and will loosen. Learn2diy made a video about this calling all the manufacturers and this is NOT a feature
Tapcons are my least favorite if you have one chance to get it right, however, if you may want to remove it later, tapcons are useful. I think the hammer in anchors (whether a nail drive/mushroom head/wedge) are less prone to bad outcomes. A shot of epoxy, construction adhesive or even a little caulk will increase the holding power - if you are worried.
For the few times I have drilled into the wall to mount a camera or motion light I've always chosen to drill into the mortar and not the brick. I figure if the brick face gets chipped or cracked it would be a mess whereas if the mortar fell out or got ruined or I made a mistake drilling I could repair the mortar. Thanks for making another informative video.
And in your case (lightweight camera), you were right to do so. But if you were aiming for something heavier, that gets lots of forces applied to it every day (pulling away from the wall, and also weigh a lot), like a 100ft hose with a reel, I would go into the brick, because it's stronger.
@@shane250 if the mortar is fragile and you're using plugs, you can make so the plugs expand in the direction of the bricks, essentially sandwiching it between the two solid bricks. My hose reel is still holding fine after 4 years, and I remove it before every winter. I drilled into the mortar except one screw (as it was impossible to line up all four screwholes on the reel with the mortar) and used plugs, although the mortar was still in good shape so there was no need to set the plugs in a certain direction.
Interesting. It’s been years since I had occasion to do this. Back then I found the bricks from different manufacturers varied wildly in hardness and time to drill. I also used lead-zinc lag shields as the plug component.
I just did a project adding pony walls to enclose my back porch. I used tapcons to attach framing to brick and it worked great. I did follow the recommended bit size, and I'm glad you pointed that out.
I have used both Tapcon screws and inserts with screws and I like them equally. I have never drilled into the brick as I am always afraid that I will crack it and then have a mess to deal with. I usually just use my DeWalt standard battery drill for the holes and I have a HF Hammer drill that I use when drilling into concrete. Great video, as usual!!
Just go rent the drill for these small projects or buy one that has dual function (chip and hammer). Some other brands are good and more affordable than what was shown. Ryobi, Delta, Skill they would all be fine. But like the video said, check what size bits you will need and what the bits are. Better to get SDS max in my opinion.
Here's my two cents. I've got a little experience installing into all sorts of masonry and concrete from when I used to work in a factory installing large, specialized refrigeration equipment for bars and restaurants. 6:06 -- 1) Some masonry drill bits require a steady stream of water to cool the bit and flush out the swarf. You can do this most easily by taking a common, disposable plastic water bottle, filling it, then puncturing a tiny hole a half inch above the bottle's base. Now your partner can squeeze a stream of clean water onto the bit and hole while you work the drill. 2) Sometimes masonry drill bits require you to start the drilling at a 45 degree angle to the work, then quickly rotate perpendicular to the work and continue drilling normally. This is typically done with smaller, more fragile masonry bits. 9:39 -- 1) Regarding anchoring into concrete, that is a whole 'nother world... a world dominated by Redhead brand concrete anchors. Always, always, ALWAYS drill holes deeper than you need to so you can hammer the Redheads flush with the concrete to hide them should you not need the anchors anymore. Otherwise you'll have to grind all the anchor studs flush... a huge pain. 2) The other major way to anchor into concrete is with Ramsets or similar powder actuated devices. Very efficient way to pin the bottom plate of a house wall to a concrete foundation, for example. 3) God help you if you hit rebar, as it could seriously injure you at worst or severely complicate your project at best. A video I'd like to see is installing into stucco house siding. Seems terrifying but likely isn't too hard. Something like attaching a fence to stucco.
@@roberttrimmier3276- There is probably a way to determine where the rebar is but that is beyond me. An experienced construction manager might know. If you're pouring cement and laying rebar for your own project, you might have enough control over the project to mark where the rebar is being laid for future reference. I imagine you would immediately mark the X- and Y-axises of the rebar, let the cement set, then transfer your marks to the concrete somehow. Then you could hypothetically plan around those temporary marks where to sink your Redhead or similar concrete fasteners such that they avoid the rebar.
Love Tapcons (and similar masonry screws). They are finicky though. Need to drill deeper than the screw, and they are sensitive to drill size. I've found some 5/16 are too tight, some too loose, once you get a good one they go in great and have stupid holding force in concrete.
I usually advise people to avoid the mortar of concrete brick walls, and drill into the brick. Clay bricks should not be drilled. Tapcons are very effective and removable. If the correct bit is used, problems can be overcome by using a length of nylon from a small zip tie or weed whacker line. In all cases, the hole must be blown out.
42 seconds with the cordless hammer drill combo, and 6 seconds with the rotary hammer drill. So a 7x speed difference. However, it is only a 36 second difference per hole, and if I'm only doing a few holes, I'm not going to buy a specialized tool (with its own bits) and have more things to look after and store in my house. If you had to drill 100 holes, it would take 3600 seconds, or 60 minutes, longer. 99.9% of homeowners won't drill 100 masonry holes in their entire lifetimes, so a few minutes extra per project is fine. I do recommend getting a nice cordless hammer drill combo with a brushless motor, as this tool will be quite useful quite frequently for you as a homeowner.
I have two crossheads I am trying to install on mortar and brick! Please explain how I attached them to the wall while I am trying to install them? I don't understand how to do the drilling through them with only two hands! Tapcons are trash. I am trying to countersink the tapcon and none of them work. PLEASE POINT ME IN THE DIRECTION
Tapcon's are horrible? I used them for my transition plate from my kitchen to my living room? They ended up pulling out very easily? The drill bits are specific to the fasteners, meaning odd-ball sizes, you would never use on anything else? They are really expensive, compared to regular threaded concrete wedge style anchors?
I use Tapcons for mounting anything in brick, block, and concrete..never had one pull out...the masonary bits are not odd-ball...3/16 for 1/4 Tapcons...i never run Tapcons in with a drill or impact driver...i know Milwaukee and Dewalt have installation kits now, but i prefer using a ratchet & socket...spinning them too fast can damage the "tapped" threads in the brick/block...I try not to use mortar joints...sometimes bricklayers may not have mortar the full width of the brick, especially on the vertical joint...
If only this video was around when we did our own screened-in porch extension. I remember countless trips to the big box store and bits and hammer rotary drill, rentals, TH-cam videos, etc. We used Tapcon for securing the ledger board to brick. I recalled the package came with a temporary use masonry bit. Didn't have the time or experience to mess around so Tapcon it was.
I was drilling holes in the basement but half of the time it’ll go halfway and stop drilling further. Rebars? So frustrating and I hit it more often and no way for me to know what’s in there. So my friend always uses those things that shoots kinda like a bullet but I’m afraid of those. Lol. Should I be?
Tapcons come with the drill bit in the package and are already the length you need for the screws inside the package. It couldn't be simpler. Now turning a 2-minute video into a 10-minute video takes effort which you obviously have!
I never drill into brick or block if I can avoid it. You can’t easily patch the brick of CMU if you need to remove the fastener, whereas repointing a joint is pretty easy. If the mortar won’t hold a fastener, it is very poor mortar.
Always drill into the brick, not the mortar. Always start with a small pilot hole first, and then it's easy with a hammer drill, plus you'll have a cleaner hole. A rotary hammer is totally unnecessary. Wall plugs are totally fine, and I agree better than tapcons in many ways, although it sometimes requires a larger hole, and also you should use better ones like Alligators by Toggler. Also if using wall plugs, your screws should be fully threaded (at least the part that goes in the plug). And for that hook, pan head screws are most appropriate, not flat head which looks sloppy. He failed on both counts. Stainless steel sheet metal screws would have been much more appropriate in this case.
I have a 25 lb fan I want to hang off of a bracket and into brick. Any suggestions or concerns? Concerned with the down force pulling on tapcons. Bracket has 4 holes to spread load, but these holes are only 4 inches apart, so not ideal either. Thoughts?
Please help! I have a big mirror (maybe 50 lbs?) that I want to hang on the brick wall over my fireplace. The mirror only has a place for one hook/screw at the top middle (it was a Sam's purchase and there's no place on the frame to put other hangers and no place to use a hanging wire). What do you recommend I use to anchor and hang it?
Tapcon also color-codes the screws and drill bits, red goes with red and green with green. If you buy the larger packages an appropriate bit is included. Also, the back of the screw package tells you what size nut-driver is required if it is hex head.
I haven’t watched the video yet, but I generally would drill into the mortar if it’s “strong enough” for the job, but drill into the brick if the mortar isn’t going to be strong enough. In the future if I remove the hardware from the mortar it’s an easy repair compared to drilling into brick.
My experience with Tapcons is mixed. When using them in mortar or even cinder or concrete blocks, they work fine because the material is soft enough but not too soft to provide a good hold. When it comes to brick however, that's a different story. Depending on the brick, like the ones in this video, they are real hard and not forgiving so Tapcons easily snap. I am installing a composite deck which is partly over the top of a brick/block wall so I have had to secure the boards to both and anywhere I have had to attach to brick it has been problematic - so I am looking for an alternative. My biggest concern is I need something that will not loosen over time from being walked on. I might give the plastic anchors a try with standard deck screws and see how that works out. At least I have some options now.
i like the plastic plugs for anything hanging verticle. tapcons for anything attached to a floor. theres also "red heads". those have great holding strength. kinda pricey but very effective. its a basically a bolt with a threaded reciever that you insert in hole then tap with a punch then thread your bolt in.
There is a pretty big difference (in the historic preservation arena) between tuckpointing & re-pointing. Not many of today's professionals know the distinction. But, today's USA masonry lexicon has diluted the specific meaning of tuckpointing. Tis life, eh?
Most homeowners are going to have a hard time justifying an SDS hammer drill, though renting one is a good option. I’ve drilled dozens of holes into concrete and brick with my standard Makita and Ryobi hammer Drills and they work just fine as long as the bits are of good quality and are still sharp.
That's a really great demo, Scott. Thank you!
2 things I would add, one from experience and one from inexperience: Along with instructing not to over-tighten and thereby strip the hole, I should mention how the hole needs to be deeper than the screw (bc I've seen people neglect this and have a really tough time getting the screw all the way in) and along that vein, it's really much smarter to drive the Tapcon screws with a quarter inch magnetic nut driver, and NOT the flat head screw driver slot! 😱 Ugh. It really is basic DIY, but if you're just getting started with power tools, using and knowing to use something as straight forward as a nut driver is not already a given and that silly slot on the end of a Tapcon could have a newbie risking a slip that could put a screw driver through a finger! 😵🤕 I had a window treatment designer trying to do just this method with both problems before I explained to her what she could do better.
Second thought: I used a Milwaukee M12 Hammer Drill combo to install window treatments in concrete and brick for nearly 2 years around the Chicago area (anything downtown is SO likely to be concrete...🙄 I guess they're afraid of fire for some reason 😂). Mainly bc it was the smallest and lightest hammer drill the guy who trained me could find (in our kind of work, weight matters a good deal) and I just followed along. Just recently, I went solo and had decided (like you said) an SDS+ bit with a Hammer Drill like you used would be worth the additional weight, and expense. But, I admit to making a very rookie mistake of my own on my first use of my awesome new Dewalt SDS+ Hammer Drill: Since on drill Combo unit you rotate the selector chuck from drill to hammer to get the impact you need for "hammer drilling" and the icon is a hammer 🔨, I was a little unclear what to use on the new model that had 2 icons, a hammer 🔨, and a drill... I've still only used it a couple times and was and am REALLY pleased with how well it worked...But, I think I need to go back and read the manual a little more carefully, as I'm pretty sure I've just dulled my expensive new bit by using the hammer setting and making holes by literally HAMMERING a bit straight into concrete instead of hammer-DRILLING (WITH rotation)! 🤦🏻😭😄
Am I right? The Hammer 🔨 icon on the Combo drill is correct for THAT device, but on an SDS+ drill the same icon means No Rotation, specifically for bits that chisel! 👷🏻
It's okay...I'm a professional. 😅
My wife got me a tee-shirt that says on it, "This is not a drill."
Underneath it is a picture of a screwdriver.
Yes, you are correct with the SDS hammer icon being "hammer only " mode which works really well for using chisels and other non drill bit attachments
I was really afraid I’d screw this up even after watching several other videos of how to do this correctly - you gave me the confidence to drill into my brick house and porch columns to put up a screen porch! Thank you. ❤
This video was posted at 6p ET and a few hours before your comment, so you saw this and then immediately put up a screen porch at the end of the day? Ok 🙄
That's not what she said. Just "it gave me confidence to". Testament to another great video helping DIYers succeed. 😊
@@mattrightmire8054 Fair enough, but the implication from that statement, I believe, would typically lead most people to conclude she not only gained the confidence but gained it and then went out and did it. I don't know, just odd to me. Maybe I'm the only one, haha
I really hope you're married and if so, your husband is a lucky man. If not, "eligible men line up single file!!! I'm married but jeez lueeze you are quite the catch😘
@@iam_flynn1611 thank you and yes married .. I appreciate the compliment!
Best explanation I have seen yet in a short video.
Great video!! With electric work, im usually using tapcons to mount emt or pvc or light fixtures. They basically work great for me. Ive always stripped out the mortar, one tip i sometimes use is to start the tapcons with my impact and then finish tightening by hand with my 10-in1.
I put a drywall anchor in around the TapCon.
Pulls them up nicely.
Good video, you're brought up a lot of good points. To be quite honest with you with the blue screws. I go two size smaller than they recommend, for the drill bit size & then I just mutilate one of the blue screws throw it away. Grab another perfectly new blue screw; and try to follow the thread pattern of the previous one that I just cranked in with my hand. Another words I use a socket set to hand turn it. (But at the end of the day, I agree with you the other method is better to use the plugs.) That was a great suggestion you used --- to use the screw and then lightly push them in flush with a 🔨 hammer.
With Tapcons it is very important to clean out the hole after you drill using a shop vac. Not doing this can keep it from going in all the way or worse, snap the head off leaving the shank in the hole.
Agreed, thanks for the feedback!
I wasted so much time and effort trying to use my standard drill. $90 bucks at harbor freight for the rotary hammer drill and it was an absolute game changer. Definitely recommend to anyone drilling into block or into your concrete slabs!
Many times I have drilled the hole in concrete and hammer wooden dowels into the hole, then used the fastener. It works great for some applications.
I like the tip about using a punch to prepare the hole for drilling, it should help prevent drill tip wander!
I've not come across "tap con" in the UK. Rawlplugs have been around for at least 40 years, maybe longer. I always install into the mortar. Looking at the side of my neighbours house, they had ( old tech) broadband installed a decade or so ago...the installer made a real pig's ear of it, drilling through the brick with God knows what drill bit , resulting in the brick spalling off in big chunks at the cable entry points.
Rawlplug is a trade name , are they simply "Wall plug" in the US?
What a great alternative to tapcon. I’ve found that brick varies quite a bit. Just use the right size and style of bit and the right drill then the job will go smoothly.
Looking forward to the next video on concrete anchors!
THANKS FOR SHARING THIS INFO SCOTT, …we are the exception to the rule,our brick is over 100yrs old and very hard 😅💚💚💚
This is an excellent video. Side note; The foundation of my house is some sort of concrete that has small rocks/pebbles in it. The pebbles tend to be much harder than the concrete so if drilling a hole and hitting one of them its almost better to start another hole elsewhere if possible.
My basement walls have concrete columns every so many feet with rebar in them. Took the guys installing the radon system a while to get through it.
I install security cameras. I tend to use my cordless Bosch hammer drill when I'm only doing 1 or 2 small holes, but I use the Bauer 13 amp rotary hammer from Harbor Freight for anything more (or when I need to drill through more than a couple inches of concrete/brick). I think I got it for around $80, plus another $15-20 for the 16" bits. It's pretty wobbly and not built to the same standard as the more reputable brands, but it works and it hasn't failed me once.
Something you didn't mention but is pretty important is cooling. The cordless hammer drills work at much higher RPM and hammer frequency, and combined with the smaller bits this can quickly cause overheating which can ruin a brand new masonry bit. To combat this, I use a small spray bottle of water and continuously spray the bit and the area around it as I'm drilling. Every 5 seconds or so I back the drill out and spray the bit directly and spray into the hole. This ensures the bit never gets too hot, and as a bonus it also greatly reduces the amount of dust produced (though you should still wear a mask-silicosis is no joke).
Also, if you're drilling all the way through to run wires, make sure to always drill towards the unexposed side of the wall. When you break through the other side there is a good chance that the area around the hole will spall, leaving a rather ugly looking exit hole. If you're feeling lucky you can drill halfway through on one side and then finish it on the other, but this is very difficult to get right and if you're off by even a little it can cause the brick to fracture through it's entire cross-section.
I have used tapcons for years with great success. Finish tightening the tapcons by hand to prevent stripping. If you are careful you can even remove and replace them in the same hole successfully. In my opinion always use the mortar joint as you can repair it if you elect to remove whatever you have attached.
Good job. Wall plugs are great. I've even used large zip ties and redheads. Especially for mounting things. Nailing 2x material Gripcons 3/16" are a go too for Door bucks etc... what until you drill into Porcelain wall tile. PITA! They make a 5/32" SDS that does a good job for pilot holes in hard material. I'm a retired carpenter. I miss the challenge...lol? The new screw designs are awesome. You have a practical channel 👍
Oh no another TH-camr pushing the loosen the chuck to tighten it nonsense. Smh.
I usually drill through the entire wall and install a very large carriage bolt. Inside the house it doubles as a picture hanger
Genius!
One point I'd like to make: at about 5:57, you advise unscrewing the chuck, a quarter turn or so, to "lock" the bit in place. This was discredited a few months ago on AvE's channel here: th-cam.com/video/8ztB1C7dERc/w-d-xo.html
What you're actually doing is _disengaging_ the ratchet which keeps the chuck locked in place, leaving only the screw tension to hold the bit.
This. Can’t believe I had to scroll so far to find someone saying it!
Totally agree!@@emmettturner9452
You would be correct sir, or better yet, you ARE CORRECT.
The heavy duty Tapcons work much better than the standard one. I have ran them in with a impact before and they havent stripped out the hole.
I haven’t had the opportunity to do this with brick, but I have had a couple of experiences using Tapcons with concrete block, and did not have any trouble. As far as over torking, I just had a feeling that I should avoid it snd didn’t. I work at a hardware store that sells fasteners in bulk through Hillman. The TapCons come with the correct masonry bit in the box, and when we empty the boxes into the bulk bins we let the bit go into the bins with the tapcons so any purchaser can take it along with them if they need it. Maybe other stores do this as well.
I have had good results with Tapcon, anchoring into very old, soft brick. For me, a huge benefit is the hex head option because I always seem to strip out screw heads. I can a ratchet with those. But I realized that over torquing with those - especially in soft brick - would be problematic.
Rotating the drill chuck the other direction is a myth, you should hear the sound twice when locking and that's just that, moving backwards unlocks one level of the lock mechanism. I can search for the videos or patents that prove it :D
Another good video. I can recall the first time I used a rotary hammer - I was shocked at how easily the bits went into concrete. However, for smaller holes, or when drilling into the sandstone sheathing of my house, I just use hammer drill, even though I have a cordless rotary hammer.
I do like to put anchors into the mortar if I can, because it's easier to repair if I want to remove the anchor. If the bricks are soft, mortar can actually be better - in one house we had a patio and steps with very soft bricks, which sometimes cracked even when drilling into the middle of them - but for well-fired bricks, I agree they are preferable. Also, in bricks or stone, I prefer using Rawl plugs to Tapcon, because I'd cracked them with Tapcon, and I feel you get more control with an insert and a screw. Just be sure to blow all the dust out of the hole before inserting. I have had some bad luck with no-name wall anchors, though most of them are fine, so now I just stick with name-brands like Rawl and Fischer. (Sort of like Wago vs random Chinese stuff, although not as risky).
Tapcons are like magic. Love 'em. Proper drill bit and size is crucial.
I put up a flag pole and put tap con screws in mortar. The pole did not stay up long. Then I put the tap con screws in the brick and it has stayed in place.
As a retired mason, I loved plumbers and electricians drilling into bricks. The brick would crack and I would get paid to replace them!😀 Hilti invented tapcons back in the 80s. Before they came around we used Rawl caulkins made of lead and zinc.
What do you prefer to use these days?
We live in a historic neighborhood with lots of old brick (which I understand is softer) and the explicit requirement for any exterior fastened thing is to drill and fasten to the mortar, because 1) AIUI repointing would be a ton cheaper than replacing a cracked brick, and 2) breaching the outer surface of the brick is just asking for weather to do a number to the whole wall.
@@davidkaoSo you use tapcons in the mortar?
What are you hanging on that beautiful wall?
@@davidkaoI totally agree. Never liked and avoid drilling into brick. Mortar all day to hang some things.
Brick is much more difficult to replace, sometimes impossible to find a match; while mortar is within the scope of an average homeowner.
How about a video on drilling stucco over cinder block? Good stuff. Thanks.
This was very informative and helpful! Thank you for the details!
Happy to help 👍
Such a great demonstration of drilling into bricks. Can you do one for stucco? I want to attach a hose reel to the side of my house and I don't want to make a mistake
For us DIYers, there is another option - 1/4" impact driver with masonry impact bits. These work substantially better than a regular cordless drill with hammer function, in fact, they're nearly as good as an SDS for small holes for tapcons or small anchors like this. If you do any mechanical work or run a lot of deck screws, you probably already have an impact, and just need the bit. Try it out, it works great. I'll never use a regular drill driver with the hammer function again.
Thanks for the very informative video. I’m curious if that DIY tool drill hammer would unscrew those blue screws from concrete to help remove studs/wall?
AMAZING VID . Very easy to follow
5:58 noooooo don't do this. It doesn't lock the chuck, it actually unlocks the keyless mechanism and will loosen. Learn2diy made a video about this calling all the manufacturers and this is NOT a feature
Every time I’ve rented a rotary hammer drill, they’ve included the bits I ask for. Several different places across the country
Tapcons are my least favorite if you have one chance to get it right, however, if you may want to remove it later, tapcons are useful. I think the hammer in anchors (whether a nail drive/mushroom head/wedge) are less prone to bad outcomes. A shot of epoxy, construction adhesive or even a little caulk will increase the holding power - if you are worried.
What size drill bit did you use for the #14 wall plug with #14 screws? TIA
@LRN2DIY proved that turning the chuck back a click to lock is a myth. just tighten it and leave it
For the few times I have drilled into the wall to mount a camera or motion light I've always chosen to drill into the mortar and not the brick. I figure if the brick face gets chipped or cracked it would be a mess whereas if the mortar fell out or got ruined or I made a mistake drilling I could repair the mortar. Thanks for making another informative video.
Agreed
And in your case (lightweight camera), you were right to do so. But if you were aiming for something heavier, that gets lots of forces applied to it every day (pulling away from the wall, and also weigh a lot), like a 100ft hose with a reel, I would go into the brick, because it's stronger.
@@shane250 thanks for the response
@@shane250 if the mortar is fragile and you're using plugs, you can make so the plugs expand in the direction of the bricks, essentially sandwiching it between the two solid bricks.
My hose reel is still holding fine after 4 years, and I remove it before every winter. I drilled into the mortar except one screw (as it was impossible to line up all four screwholes on the reel with the mortar) and used plugs, although the mortar was still in good shape so there was no need to set the plugs in a certain direction.
No no use some filler like poly lol or hydraulic to fill in lol … liquid nail not going a where
What are those blue wall plugs called? Hard to find in box stores. Got a link for the stuff you used?
In terms of ease of undoing this process, is it easier to fill in holes in the mortar or the brick?
Mortar is easy - brick is hard. Only really good way in brick is to replace the brick if you have extras.
Interesting. It’s been years since I had occasion to do this. Back then I found the bricks from different manufacturers varied wildly in hardness and time to drill. I also used lead-zinc lag shields as the plug component.
Great Video. Thank you for sharing
I like Tapcons and also the plastic anchors are good too. I Use Tapcons for heavy applications, never had a problem.
Like always good to know thanks for the info
it's the punch that I need to prevent the bit to move around out of place; afraid the punch will crack the brick...
Where do you get a hook like that? Do you have a link to it?
Dude, the clicking the chuck back to ‘lock it in’ is a myth. The makers of the chucks have said it’s not a thing.
I learned something today.
Nice 🙌
I would add one additional step when doing exterior projects. Fill the hole with silicone caulk before sinking the screw.
The Harbor Freight hammer drill works. I got one to drill a dozen holes in concrete. It's good for someone who is only going to use it once year.
Exactly! Thanks for the feedback 👍
I just did a project adding pony walls to enclose my back porch. I used tapcons to attach framing to brick and it worked great. I did follow the recommended bit size, and I'm glad you pointed that out.
I have used both Tapcon screws and inserts with screws and I like them equally. I have never drilled into the brick as I am always afraid that I will crack it and then have a mess to deal with. I usually just use my DeWalt standard battery drill for the holes and I have a HF Hammer drill that I use when drilling into concrete. Great video, as usual!!
Never had a problem with Tapcons. Just follow directions and they work great. My main complaint is that the blue head is ugly.
If you strip out the hole put one or two pieces of stainless tie wire in the hole with the tapcon and reinstall.
Just go rent the drill for these small projects or buy one that has dual function (chip and hammer). Some other brands are good and more affordable than what was shown. Ryobi, Delta, Skill they would all be fine. But like the video said, check what size bits you will need and what the bits are. Better to get SDS max in my opinion.
Here's my two cents. I've got a little experience installing into all sorts of masonry and concrete from when I used to work in a factory installing large, specialized refrigeration equipment for bars and restaurants.
6:06 -- 1) Some masonry drill bits require a steady stream of water to cool the bit and flush out the swarf. You can do this most easily by taking a common, disposable plastic water bottle, filling it, then puncturing a tiny hole a half inch above the bottle's base. Now your partner can squeeze a stream of clean water onto the bit and hole while you work the drill. 2) Sometimes masonry drill bits require you to start the drilling at a 45 degree angle to the work, then quickly rotate perpendicular to the work and continue drilling normally. This is typically done with smaller, more fragile masonry bits.
9:39 -- 1) Regarding anchoring into concrete, that is a whole 'nother world... a world dominated by Redhead brand concrete anchors. Always, always, ALWAYS drill holes deeper than you need to so you can hammer the Redheads flush with the concrete to hide them should you not need the anchors anymore. Otherwise you'll have to grind all the anchor studs flush... a huge pain. 2) The other major way to anchor into concrete is with Ramsets or similar powder actuated devices. Very efficient way to pin the bottom plate of a house wall to a concrete foundation, for example. 3) God help you if you hit rebar, as it could seriously injure you at worst or severely complicate your project at best.
A video I'd like to see is installing into stucco house siding. Seems terrifying but likely isn't too hard. Something like attaching a fence to stucco.
Thanks. We got a lot of value for our two cents. Is there a way to figure out where the rebar is, like figuring out where a stud is in a wall?
@@roberttrimmier3276- There is probably a way to determine where the rebar is but that is beyond me. An experienced construction manager might know.
If you're pouring cement and laying rebar for your own project, you might have enough control over the project to mark where the rebar is being laid for future reference. I imagine you would immediately mark the X- and Y-axises of the rebar, let the cement set, then transfer your marks to the concrete somehow. Then you could hypothetically plan around those temporary marks where to sink your Redhead or similar concrete fasteners such that they avoid the rebar.
My Bauer Harbor Freight SDS Plus rotary hammer is awesome. Got it free with purchase of $89 5amp battery and charger.
Great to learn about the bit specification. Have seen those but I only dabble so that's useful info moving forward.
Great, thanks for the feedback!
Great video！When drilling exterior walls, I wonder if we need to waterproof the hole area by caulking it, or some sort? Thanks!
Turning the chuck in the opposite direction doesn’t lock in the bit. That is a myth.
Great video. I'm looking at securing camera mounts on hardyplank siding. Any recommendations?
Love Tapcons (and similar masonry screws). They are finicky though. Need to drill deeper than the screw, and they are sensitive to drill size. I've found some 5/16 are too tight, some too loose, once you get a good one they go in great and have stupid holding force in concrete.
I usually advise people to avoid the mortar of concrete brick walls, and drill into the brick. Clay bricks should not be drilled.
Tapcons are very effective and removable. If the correct bit is used, problems can be overcome by using a length of nylon from a small zip tie or weed whacker line.
In all cases, the hole must be blown out.
42 seconds with the cordless hammer drill combo, and 6 seconds with the rotary hammer drill. So a 7x speed difference. However, it is only a 36 second difference per hole, and if I'm only doing a few holes, I'm not going to buy a specialized tool (with its own bits) and have more things to look after and store in my house.
If you had to drill 100 holes, it would take 3600 seconds, or 60 minutes, longer. 99.9% of homeowners won't drill 100 masonry holes in their entire lifetimes, so a few minutes extra per project is fine.
I do recommend getting a nice cordless hammer drill combo with a brushless motor, as this tool will be quite useful quite frequently for you as a homeowner.
Just like you said if you drill the right hole and do not overwork them Tapcons are the way to go.
I have two crossheads I am trying to install on mortar and brick! Please explain how I attached them to the wall while I am trying to install them? I don't understand how to do the drilling through them with only two hands! Tapcons are trash. I am trying to countersink the tapcon and none of them work. PLEASE POINT ME IN THE DIRECTION
Excellent lesson. Clear and concise instruction to guide you all the way. Glad I watched. Thanks.
Tapcon's are horrible? I used them for my transition plate from my kitchen to my living room? They ended up pulling out very easily? The drill bits are specific to the fasteners, meaning odd-ball sizes, you would never use on anything else? They are really expensive, compared to regular threaded concrete wedge style anchors?
I use Tapcons for mounting anything in brick, block, and concrete..never had one pull out...the masonary bits are not odd-ball...3/16 for 1/4 Tapcons...i never run Tapcons in with a drill or impact driver...i know Milwaukee and Dewalt have installation kits now, but i prefer using a ratchet & socket...spinning them too fast can damage the "tapped" threads in the brick/block...I try not to use mortar joints...sometimes bricklayers may not have mortar the full width of the brick, especially on the vertical joint...
@@davepage2466 First time I've seen upspeak in written form.
If only this video was around when we did our own screened-in porch extension. I remember countless trips to the big box store and bits and hammer rotary drill, rentals, TH-cam videos, etc. We used Tapcon for securing the ledger board to brick. I recalled the package came with a temporary use masonry bit. Didn't have the time or experience to mess around so Tapcon it was.
I was drilling holes in the basement but half of the time it’ll go halfway and stop drilling further. Rebars? So frustrating and I hit it more often and no way for me to know what’s in there. So my friend always uses those things that shoots kinda like a bullet but I’m afraid of those. Lol. Should I be?
Tapcons come with the drill bit in the package and are already the length you need for the screws inside the package. It couldn't be simpler.
Now turning a 2-minute video into a 10-minute video takes effort which you obviously have!
I never drill into brick or block if I can avoid it. You can’t easily patch the brick of CMU if you need to remove the fastener, whereas repointing a joint is pretty easy. If the mortar won’t hold a fastener, it is very poor mortar.
you can also plug the holes you made with wood dowels and then you can use any screw of your liking
With 100yr old brick, would it be ok to drill into the brick? I want to hang a 50ft hose on it.
Always drill into the brick, not the mortar. Always start with a small pilot hole first, and then it's easy with a hammer drill, plus you'll have a cleaner hole. A rotary hammer is totally unnecessary.
Wall plugs are totally fine, and I agree better than tapcons in many ways, although it sometimes requires a larger hole, and also you should use better ones like Alligators by Toggler.
Also if using wall plugs, your screws should be fully threaded (at least the part that goes in the plug). And for that hook, pan head screws are most appropriate, not flat head which looks sloppy. He failed on both counts.
Stainless steel sheet metal screws would have been much more appropriate in this case.
I have a 25 lb fan I want to hang off of a bracket and into brick. Any suggestions or concerns? Concerned with the down force pulling on tapcons. Bracket has 4 holes to spread load, but these holes are only 4 inches apart, so not ideal either. Thoughts?
Please help! I have a big mirror (maybe 50 lbs?) that I want to hang on the brick wall over my fireplace. The mirror only has a place for one hook/screw at the top middle (it was a Sam's purchase and there's no place on the frame to put other hangers and no place to use a hanging wire). What do you recommend I use to anchor and hang it?
you can also plug the holes you made with wood dowels and then you can use any screw of your liking
That will rot over time, though. Brick is not a waterproof material, so the wood plug will get, and potentially stay, damp.
If you use Tapcon screws ALWAYS look on the back of the package. It will tell you the appropriate size drill bit to be used.
Tapcon also color-codes the screws and drill bits, red goes with red and green with green. If you buy the larger packages an appropriate bit is included. Also, the back of the screw package tells you what size nut-driver is required if it is hex head.
I much prefer plug anchors for brick and motor. Tapcons work much better in solid concrete.
I did some work at a friends house where there previous contractor used plastic plugs. They were older and they pulled right out. Kinda sketchy
Thanks. If the Tapcon strips out the mortar, can you use a wall plug with the Tapcon? Or stuff in some line trimmer string?
I guess for some reason you don't use anchors like you would for concrete, anchors which expand sideways to grip the concrete???
I haven’t watched the video yet, but I generally would drill into the mortar if it’s “strong enough” for the job, but drill into the brick if the mortar isn’t going to be strong enough. In the future if I remove the hardware from the mortar it’s an easy repair compared to drilling into brick.
Na.... you shoulda drilled all the way through and put 12" bolts with fender washers and nuts on the inside.
It's the only way to be sure.
I have a collection of hammer drills, and rotary hammers. Tapcons, sometimes I'll toss in a copper wire.
Is it necessary to use a Tapcon drill bit to use Tapcon anchors, or will regular masonry bits suffice?
I love my SDS Rotary Hammer Drill. It's awesome.
Hey Brother excelente video Thank You
You bet, thanks for watching 👍
The “lock feature” myth your describing on the regular hammer drill has been debunked.
What is the name of that hook/bracket? Can you post a link where I can purchase it?
Very nice tips. As for tap cons there ok as long as they are used right 😎👍
Agreed, they can strip out the hole if you aren't careful
My experience with Tapcons is mixed. When using them in mortar or even cinder or concrete blocks, they work fine because the material is soft enough but not too soft to provide a good hold. When it comes to brick however, that's a different story. Depending on the brick, like the ones in this video, they are real hard and not forgiving so Tapcons easily snap. I am installing a composite deck which is partly over the top of a brick/block wall so I have had to secure the boards to both and anywhere I have had to attach to brick it has been problematic - so I am looking for an alternative. My biggest concern is I need something that will not loosen over time from being walked on. I might give the plastic anchors a try with standard deck screws and see how that works out. At least I have some options now.
Another great video Scott. Great tips and I agree that the SDS Plus is the way to go for pros or homeowners with many holes to drill.
Great video and great information
i like the plastic plugs for anything hanging verticle. tapcons for anything attached to a floor. theres also "red heads". those have great holding strength. kinda pricey but very effective. its a basically a bolt with a threaded reciever that you insert in hole then tap with a punch then thread your bolt in.
Yeah, I will be diving into larger anchors soon. Tapcons, Simpson Titen HD, Read Heads, and possibly Hilti.
I like the way you simplify DIY. Thanks
There is a pretty big difference (in the historic preservation arena) between tuckpointing & re-pointing. Not many of today's professionals know the distinction. But, today's USA masonry lexicon has diluted the specific meaning of tuckpointing. Tis life, eh?