I have done some plumbing, but not had to drill a lot of holes. I am now plumbing an entire 3 1/2 bath house. Can I get by with using hole saws and a large drill or will I just plain be sorry. I hate the idea or buying 90 degree hole hawg for $300. I could likely sell it for $200, so maybe ….
I suppose I could drill my 2 inch holes with a hole saw and drill and rent a hole hawg for the larger holes. Or would I go nuts with the 2 inch holes without a 90 degree drill?
Thoughts
Replies
Yes.
You will go nuts with a hole saw. Absolutely raving bonkers. Buy the drill. Or rent the drill. Look on Craigslist for a used one.
ya ... looking at craigslist now and ebay. I could use something like it as well for mixing mortar and thinset. I have used a drill for mixing such before, but not sure how long that would last.
I have a Makita
A regular, old fashioned, no frills 1/2 in. drill that I bought in 1985. It's mostly used for mixing, and it still works just fine.
My preference is a right angle D-handle drill
and self-feed bits.
I have a Milwaukee and, while the d-handle drill has less power and torque than the Hole Hawg, that can be a blessing if you hit a nail or the bit hangs up for some other reason. When that happens, the Hole Hawg will sometimes continue to turn, taking your hand and wrist with it.
Holes & Holes
A 1/2" Milwaukee drill will work great for 2" pipe and under, with self-feed bits. Very seldom do you drill holes for more than 2" pipe in anything other than plywood flooring, in which case a hole saw works fine in the 1/2" drill. And yes, the right angle hole hawg can ruin your day in a hurry!
3 inch vent for toilets?
Rarely do you need to drill holes larger than 2 inches? I am looking into that issue. Is some places that say you need a two inch vent for a toilet and other places I see it says 3 inches. Am I miss reading anything?
Depends on which plumbing code applies and what fixtures
are served by the vent.
I'll also point out that the holes for (most) two inch pipe need to be 2 and 9/16". 2" is the inside diameter.
I hear you.
Yes, I knew the diameter of teh hole was larger. It is easier to say 2 inches rrather than 2.5625 or 2 and 9/16. Thanks.
As for codes, exactly. I think a 2 inch vent is ok for a toilet under most codees but if it vents a sink as well maybe not. ETC.
Individual vents can be one size less than the drain lines they serve. The total cross sectional area of all the vents must equal the cross sectional area of the house sewer. Typically 2" vents go in a 2x6 wall.
If you use self feed bits, be sure to use an angle drill braced securely. Otherwise it can break your arm.
But in the north country the vent must go up a size as it passes through the roof, to prevent it from being frosted closed.
People aren't supposed to live in places like that. Only polar bears and Santa.
Or you use an AAV.
;)
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