Need to drill ~300 3mm pilot holes into joists - do I buy lots of cheap bits or a good one?

[Deleted member 174758]

I'd probably just find an apprentice...

 

[bourbon]

If it's for the joist hangers/mending plates. you are over thinking it massively. get some drywall screws of the correct length and crack on.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

If it's for the joist hangers/mending plates. you are over thinking it massively. get some drywall screws of the correct length and crack on.

Joist hangers should almost always be   nailed in place with sherardized twist nails* with one nail in each and every hole. It is normally not permissable to use screws. Drywall screws, in particular, are unsuitable as they are thin, very hard and brittle. If a BCO sees screws they will often simply red card the installation on safety grounds and refuse to sign it off

* = AFAIK the exception being some specialist hangers produced by Simpson Strongtie which must be used with special screws supplied by Simpsons and never used with standard wood screws.when these screws are used they are not pre-piloted

 

[bourbon]

Joist hangers should almost always be   nailed in place with sherardized twist nails* with one nail in each and every hole. It is normally not permissable to use screws. Drywall screws, in particular, are unsuitable as they are thin, very hard and brittle. If a BCO sees screws they will often simply red card the installation on safety grounds and refuse to sign it off

* = AFAIK the exception being some specialist hangers produced by Simpson Strongtie which must be used with special screws supplied by Simpsons and never used with standard wood screws.when these screws are usedthey are not pre-piloted

OK, I stand corrected.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

I didn't say that it was a PIA to use them, though (it is, because you invariably hit your thumb a few times unless you are lucky enough to own a positive placement nailer), but it is something that both Building Control Officers and Structural Engineers are keen on seeing done to manufacturers specification

 

[blup]

Amazon are doing the trend hinge drill set for under £15 atm, the no 6 and no 8 have diameters under 3mm. They can be used freehand and the body takes the weight of the drill as well as enabling it to be driven at the perpendicular. Spare drills are available.

Blup

 

[conny]

I'd probably just find an apprentice...

That is wicked!

 

[Deleted member 174758]

That is wicked!

No, it's called "providing trade experience"

 

[conny]

No, it's called "providing trade experience"

And I think you and I got our fair share of that many years ago.