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Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Sun. Oct. 06, 2013 8:05 am
by samhill
If you have access to a core drill I would go that route & it shouldn't do any damage to the block in any of your locations. Keep in mind that as you hit the hollows it will want to throw the drill off a bit so if you haven't used one or if at an awkward stance a jig would help, I always use a bit of a water spray to keep dust down as well as cool & lubricate the bit, you should be able to feel when thru the block but a line the depth of the block is a good idea as well (another reason to keep dust down) it will get dusty.

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Sun. Oct. 06, 2013 11:26 am
by waldo lemieux
:? How do you move up horizontally? Rent a core drill that bolts right to the chimney . center the hole on the flue liner horizontally , put it where you like it vertically , use water and ef the sand.Thirty minute job max.It'll take longer to pick up and return the drill than doin the job.

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Sun. Oct. 06, 2013 7:57 pm
by McGiever
EarthWindandFire wrote:I went and looked at the core drill at Home Depot. I might have to build a jig to hold the drill steady and straight while drilling. The chimney does have a clay flue liner. I'll try to stop the drill when I hit the clay, then I'll finish the hole in the clay with my Dremel. But, back to original post, which hole location would be best for maintaining strength, especially with so many intersecting mortar lines involved?
Forget the Dremel...diamond core drill will cut through clay liner like butter. ;)

Were you looking at the hand held core drill?
There is another drill w/ a base that gets mounted to surface and works like a drill press to guide the bit...may have to go elsewhere if not at Home Depot.

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Fri. Jun. 20, 2014 2:38 pm
by coalnewbie
Let's continue this thread...I need a 6" hole cut in my tile lined brick chimney, perhaps two holes in the two chases (13x9 and 6x8"). So I have decided that a diamond cut is best and decided to contract the issue. Of course around this stinking part of the country even the contractors need to buy a new beamer on my back and I have decided to DIY.

So I bought a 6" dry diamond cutter - got one off of ebay $75. Now comes the drill. My garbage dump of drill entrees will never hack that job so I need to buy something with gonads. I need a good hammer drill++ even though I may not use the hammer setting here. After much reading I decided to get a Hilti te-55. So as it was a Friday I went to collect my lottery winnings.... yes you guessed it, I lost again. So off to ebay.... got one also for $75 with one tiny problem, it did not work (as advertised). So as life is a crap shoot anyway I bought new brushes for $15 on ebay and sure enough ....... it still did not work. Jumped up and down, cursed and got drunk and the next day....... yep it still did not work. Funny that usually that fixes most things. :sick: Took the switch apart and it was loaded with concrete dust put it back together and bingo it worked. How the hell did concrete get in there? I hope the clutch is OK it's obviously had a hard life. So onto my questions.

I know I need a taper drill as a guide which one should it be and where can I find one for less than a kings ransom. Once I have started the hole I need to change to a smooth core something or other to stop it biting... What is that and where do I get it? Any other words of wisdom before I tackle this one. I'm a little nervous here.

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Fri. Jun. 20, 2014 3:08 pm
by scalabro
I can't help with the taper drill size Newb but, I know it's possible for you to do it!

Two years a go when I re did our kitchen I put down 450 sq ft of 12x24 porcelain tile that had to have several holes drilled for plumbing and electrical and I was freaked too. So I just read all I could and went full steam ahead. Let me tell you porcelain floor tile is some hard stuff! It all came out great.

Keep going :)

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Fri. Jun. 20, 2014 3:19 pm
by tsb
Your way over thinking this project. Guys that do masonry work
only have three tools. A level and trowel and a hammer. You need the
hammer and a hand star bit. You've got till fall to get the holes in.
Just act like you breaking out of jail. A little bit each day.

Make sure your drill doesn't have a locking trigger or you be on the floor when it catches.

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Fri. Jun. 20, 2014 5:24 pm
by coalnewbie
Well TSB, I appreciate your advice but patience is not one of my virtues. So I will crash on.

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Fri. Jun. 20, 2014 6:00 pm
by windyhill4.2
tsb,remember CN has 6 chimneys to heat ,he needs to get the project started soon so all 6 are ready for an early heating season. toothy :hammer: :bang: ;)

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Fri. Jun. 20, 2014 6:04 pm
by coalnewbie
Oh Windy you are a riot tonight. :) These are my last two and then I am ready to create globull warming all on my little ownsum. I need to get that Herald BB running. Whatdoya mean it's 90* and you have no need for it -- you are just being negative.

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Fri. Jun. 20, 2014 7:51 pm
by franco b
I have always used a star drill and 3 pound sledge, but that was when I was fit.
The core drill sounds great. I notice that there are a lot of videos on you tube under "core drill" that might be helpful. Never having used one I would try to use the lowest RPM possible. Even 100 RPM is fast on the periphery. I like samhills advice to use a water spray intermittently.

I think it will take a lot of pressure on the drill, so have a platform so you can lean the center of the flab against it.

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Fri. Jun. 20, 2014 8:04 pm
by coalnewbie
I think it will take a lot of pressure on the drill, so have a platform so you can lean the center of the flab against it.
I agree totally. I like the Hilti as it has a safety clutch. At my time of life shaking up the flab and jelly is not good. ... and tsb even with this gear it may still take me until fall to punch through.

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Fri. Jun. 20, 2014 8:53 pm
by windyhill4.2
Someone needs to post a pic of the model stove he is going to use,a pic of it burning real good. CN you can enlarge the pic & print it,hang it on the wall nearby while you are drilling, the job won't take long at all when you can see the finished product at work. :) :flex: :yes:

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Sat. Jun. 21, 2014 1:39 am
by coalnewbie
Never having used one I would try to use the lowest RPM possible. Even 100 RPM is fast on the periphery.
Franco such wisdom with age! These young whippersnappers don't get it. The Hilti is a slow speed drill (200rpm and 0-400rpm) and that 6" bit is really moving at the exterior. So that plus a safety clutch, I wanted the Hilti as it is made for the job. If I had started in the Jurassic age with a nerf hammer I would have been done about now too - not my style. I always try for overkill or at least the right tool for the job. Give me a few days to screw up my courage and to try to rig up my drill press for the job. :eek2:

The concept being
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181321812098?lpid=82

That wheel on the drill press will give me the leverage but I need to mount the Hilti. Hmmm. now how do I rig this chit together. Time out - time for some sleep.

I already know I wish my lottery ticket had come up.

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Sat. Jun. 21, 2014 6:14 am
by windyhill4.2
CN,if you won the lottery,are you saying that you would then give up your 6 chimney house for a 12,000 sq. ft. mansion heated with that liquid stuff :?: :shock: your antique coal burners would become corner decor ?? ............. OR a 12,0000 sq. ft. mansion with 24 chimneys all heated with a different baseburner/parlor stove.!!!! :D Oh,by the way, all the chimneys would be ready to have a stove hooked up . :junmp:

Re: Cutting Hole in Cement Block Chimney.

Posted: Sat. Jun. 21, 2014 7:45 am
by coalnewbie
Thx a bunch Windy. So now you broadcast my hopeless addiction to the world. The NSA is monitoring this channel and will a big black SUV pull up this morning and take me away to a NG heated luxury mansion with hot and cold running servants at the tax payers expense. How will I communicate to the other inmates? I don't speak Spanish and my soccer skills are limited these days but if I ask I am sure they will put in a state of the art field for me. I hope I don't get TB.

PS - the whole lottery ticket thing was a lie. I'm doing this and having a blast as I have never done this before. It's summer coal stove fun. I have a very low threshold of boredom. If my lottery ticket came in I would move Wilsons stove shop to the bottom of the garden and go play every day.