ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Long Flexible drill bits

I have picked them up and even thought of buying one but every time I hear a story about drilling through a water pipe or something ugly, that memory makes me put it back on the hook. Drywall isn't that hard to patch ;-)

Thanks for all the mixed replies , ive ordered 2 of them (3/8 kit & 3/4 bit) so in a few weeks ill have some fun. Just as well the garage ceiling isn`t plasterboarded i`ll practice on it



[This message has been edited by sanUK (edited 07-12-2005).]

I haven't had the nightmares that these others have had. I also bought the handle/director device that they sell and that helped to keep the bit centered. They are unwieldly in some cases and I've had a 3/4" bit break off the end in a top plate once(it is still there, in a wall in River Forest).

Never been a fan of these things myself. Aside from the aiming issues, they always seem to break right where the bit and shaft come together. My choice would be a nice sharp set of auger bits in various sizes. The torque of almost any size drill also seems to make the shaft torque and twist and misbehave in all kinds of directions. When the bit really starts to bite, that flexible shaft becomes the weak link unable to handle the torque required to drill deep holes

Maybe I am just lucky. I use mine all the time. A couple of close calls but that can happen drilling any hole with any bit. I'll use anything that makes my job easier.

I've used them sparingly. Once I was drilling down from the attic (10' ceilings in the living room) through the top plate with ease. Then came the fire break, like you've heared, drilling blind. I drill into a hot romex conductor. Ya you guessed it, after the sparks and #$@% stopped flying. I choose what I feel is a very useful help, drill a second hole next to your first hole in the top plate and use it as a portal for you to spot your bit in the center of the fire break ensuring that your not drilling a hot condutor.

Good luck, Bert

Has anyone got a link, so we can see what one of these drill-bits looks like?
Thanks
Alan

Alan,
Try www.milwaukeetools.com Look under 'accessories;' these are known as 'bell hanger bits.
I'd give the direct link, but Milwaukee sends you off to another site, which...and so on, and the link gets to be about 1000 letter long :-(

The primary maker of these things is Greenlee, but darned if I couldn't find them in their catalog!

Allan....most Home Depot's have these bits. Check the Greenlee tools section. They look like any other long installers bit but the shaft is flexible. They also offer a optional handle for the shaft of the bit to keep it bent as you drill.

Check here.... http://www.smarthomepro.com/9067.html


edited for link and clarity.

[This message has been edited by Sandro (edited 07-13-2005).]

[This message has been edited by Sandro (edited 07-13-2005).]

... Used one the other day,..and took out a cat5 line for phone... the customer knew when the phone rang and every phone rang BUT the kitchen one... had to re-feed the kitchen phone... all for 2 lousy hi-hats...
Russ