How would you do this?

[Secret Squirrel]

In order to reinforce certain sections of the pressure-treated wood deck on the back of my house, I needed to drill some 9" deep 1/2" diameter holes for thru-bolting. Problem is that the holes are going through numerous 2x4s and a 4x4 in each case. Those pieces of wood have nails in them, most that I can't see behind the face wood. Big nails. Lots of nails. And yes, I managed to hit nails in all but one instance. I'm only amazed that it wasn't in every instance.

Because of the great depth, I am using one of those extra-long 1/2" drill bits. But those extra-long drill bits are made to go through wood only (for home wire installations mostly) and not even pressure-treated wood. It is not a hardened drill bit. At the nails, it just stops no matter what I do. Further, I am told that a rented hammer drill won't help. And in most cases, I can't get behind the holes with my drill to attack the nails from the other side.

How would you try to drill these holes through pressure treated wood with a lot of nails in them? Is it just about finding an extra-long 1/2" hardened drill bit? Do they even make them 10" or more long? If so, where would I get one? Any ideas out there?

Rusty

 

[rekees4300]

Amazon.com: Greenlee 66PT-1/2 Nail Eater II Wood Boring Bit, 1/2" x 18": Home Improvement

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Amazon.com: Greenlee 66PT-1/2 Nail Eater II Wood Boring Bit, 1/2" x 18": Home Improvement

Wow! Looks like exactly what I need! Thank you!

Rusty

 

[BeezFun]

Wow! Looks like exactly what I need! Thank you!

they work great but are a little hard to keep going in the direction you intended, especially when you hit something. I've found a small pilot hole helps, the bit can still get a bite to cut through things but doesn't wander around as much.

 

[topbuilder]

Use a drill with large handles. Those bits can be wrist breakers in a strong drill.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I bought that Greenlee bit and it did enable me to drill one more nail-filled hole. Then it seems to have quit. The tip of the bit looks pretty badly mangled.

I'm going to need to take a whole different approach to this project. $25 per hole is too much. Thanks for trying but those darn nails seem to have won.

Rusty

 

[ustmd]

Use a drill with large handles. Those bits can be wrist breakers in a strong drill.

Big second on this one...I broke my hand in almost the exact same situation.

After 2 months of physical therapy, I found an expensive corded drill with a clutch and used it to drill the rest of the holes:

3/8 in. Variable Speed Clutch Driver-D47CK at The Home Depot

By the end the drill was trashed, but the clutch saved me from breaking my hand again several times.

 

[ustmd]

Use a drill with large handles. Those bits can be wrist breakers in a strong drill.

Big second on this one...I broke my hand in almost the exact same situation.

After 2 months of physical therapy, I found an expensive corded drill with a clutch and used it to drill the rest of the holes:

3/8 in. Variable Speed Clutch Driver-D47CK at The Home Depot

By the end the drill was trashed, but the clutch saved me from breaking my hand again several times.

 

[BeezFun]

You might have more luck with smaller bolt, should be better chances of getting a hole through. A 1/2" bolt is good for something like 10,000 pounds depending on the grade, can't imagine anything on your porch approaches that requirement unless you're collecting grand pianos. A 3/8" is good for 5-6000 pounds, you might even go down to 5/16". Is the purpose of the bolt to compress the deck members, or are you depending on it to perform in shear?

 

[SHORT KID]

If you have an impact wrench you might try driving a lag bolt first, then drill. This could move things (nails) enough for you.