Re: I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam

According to Harry K <turnkey4099@xxxxxxxxxxx>:

Adam Preble wrote:
I'm installing an additional ceiling fan in my vaulted living room. A
cedar beam runs across it, with one fan on the end. This fan was there
when I bought the house, and a hole was drilled through it to run the
wires. I wish to put another hole in this beam for another fan.

Use a "Speed Bore" bit. They are spade shaped and do have extenders.
The Speed Bore comes in sizes form (I think) 1/4" up to huge ones, are
not all that expensive. The draw back is that the extenders will only
go into a 5/8" or larger hole. You also have to keep pulling the bit
out to clean out the chips, they don't self feed the chips.

The other option is electricians extended length twist drills. Not
sure how long they come but they get some impressive lengths.

18" auger bits are quite easy to get. If you're using an auger
or spade, you can't start small and redrill with larger bits.
Or at least not easily.

You can get extended length drill bits from HD up to about 6', but
they're pretty pricey.

Note that no matter what drill you use, by the time you get through
about 6" of beam, the friction of the hole on the drill bit
is pretty high. So if you're doubtful of an auger doing the
hole with a particular drill, a twist or spade bit would probably
not be that much better.

Augers generally clear chips so much better that they'll probably
turn out easier in the long run for a hole like this.
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.
.

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: How to drill straight?
    ... I know in the past when I had to drill through something much thinner like a 2x4, I often end up with a slanted hole. ... If it were me, I would drill the hole through the beam, then hang the ceiling fan from the beam and use the hole for just the wire. ... When I can't get the level on it anymore, then it will usually guide itself the rest of the way. ...
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  • Re: I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
    ... Alternately, rent a powerful drill, one large bit and an extension. ... This fan was there when I bought the house, and a hole was drilled through it to run the wires. ... I wish to put another hole in this beam for another fan. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: How to drill straight?
    ... I know in the past when I had to drill through something much thinner like a 2x4, I often end up with a slanted hole. ... If it were me, I would drill the hole through the beam, then hang the ceiling fan from the beam and use the hole for just the wire. ... When I can't get the level on it anymore, then it will usually guide itself the rest of the way. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • I need to drill through a thick, cedar beam
    ... I'm installing an additional ceiling fan in my vaulted living room. ... I wish to put another hole in this beam for another fan. ... The problem is that I don't think my drill is up for this. ...
    (alt.home.repair)