Advice on hand drilling

This task is not climbing-related.....but it is hand drill-related.

I have to place some survey monuments in some dense basalt. Have to drill 1/2-inch diameter holes approx. 4-6 inches deep. I've hand drilled 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch holes 2-4 inches before so have a feeling for the effort required. Anybody hand drilled 1/2-inch diameter holes before? I'm going to search for a tool for the job and presume there is something out there......but am i in for some brutal, frustrating labor? My option is purchasing a battery-powered tool for the job but i'd like to consider hand drilling if it can be done with reasonable effort. My site is remote and the battery powered tool would be expensive. I'd just as soon go with a hand drill unless anybody with some familiarity advises that i'd wish i hadn't.

Thanks for the help

The Petzl Rock Pecker is the hand drill I use. Get a good hammer and expect to pound for about half an hour per hole. Use a blow tube to get rid of the dust. The blow tube can be marked as a measuring tool.

I've only drilled in sandstone and granite but everything I've heard about basalt is that it is quite a different beast. Really hard. I'm sure someone with experience with it will chime in. Good luck.

haven't placed 1/2" but I have placed dozens of 3/8" by hand in Granite and Gneiss. I would say you have your work cut out for you. In my experience, drilling down rather than sideways into a face takes less time and effort. So at least you have that going for you.

Your task is best done as a two person job with a sledge and a drill: youtube.com/watch?v=3bsdy0t…

Drilling 1\2 vs 1\4 is 4* harder and doubling the depth is 8 time harder.
Still think a power drill is expensive?

I'm just curious what they have you setting that's requires you to drill a hole that deep , you setting al-cap and rebar?

Nicholas Gillman wrote:I'm just curious what they have you setting that's requires you to drill a hole that deep , you setting al-cap and rebar?

He said survey monuments. So probably section corners or something like that which can't/shouldn't move.

Settlement monuments......just those brass disks with the anchor spike on the underneath side. Elevation control locations to check for settlement following shoreline/revetment work

Next question.....as long as i have some attention:

Petzl Rockpec vs Fixe rock drill vs .....?

Are you in the USA?

You can rent rotary hammer drills.

I would definitely rent the drill if I were you. On the other hand, drill for a day and see what you think. That should help make your decision.

I take it you are getting paid by the hour.

I've hand drilled 1/2 x 4" in granite, which is similar in hardness to drilling in basalt.

Took about 90 minutes per bolt, so I'd expect a full 2 hours per bolt if you're going for 6".

Rent the drill.

See this guy: mountainproject.com/v/10674…

He really knows!

Parker Wrozek wrote: He said survey monuments. So probably section corners or something like that which can't/shouldn't move.

Yeah that why I was curious what type of monument involves that type of hole and because to hammer a rebar for an al-cap if you hand drill the hole you could potentially have a bit of drift in he hole and you might might be able to hammer it in properly and your cap couldn't sit flush.

But I know what he's talking about when he says Settlement monuments / monitoring points.

bernard wolfe wrote:Settlement monuments......just those brass disks with the anchor spike on the underneath side. Elevation control locations to check for settlement following shoreline/revetment work

bernard wolfe wrote:Next question.....as long as i have some attention: Petzl Rockpec vs Fixe rock drill vs .....?

I have the rockpec and it has a quick release vrs the Fixe one having a separate screw that hold the bit in place (iirc) which seems like it would be a pain ....also the one Fixe drill I've held felt so small in my hand .... granted I have giant oven mit hands lol but I didn't like the feel.

ear plugs...

greg barnes is spot on, by the way. if you think a power drill is expensive, wait until your insurance doesn't cover the PT you are going to need for your wrists...

Maynard wrote:I take it you are getting paid by the hour.

hahaha spot on!

bernard wolfe wrote:This task is not climbing-related.....but it is hand drill-related. I have to place some survey monuments in some dense basalt. Have to drill 1/2-inch diameter holes approx. 4-6 inches deep. I've hand drilled 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch holes 2-4 inches before so have a feeling for the effort required. Anybody hand drilled 1/2-inch diameter holes before? I'm going to search for a tool for the job and presume there is something out there......but am i in for some brutal, frustrating labor? My option is purchasing a battery-powered tool for the job but i'd like to consider hand drilling if it can be done with reasonable effort. My site is remote and the battery powered tool would be expensive. I'd just as soon go with a hand drill unless anybody with some familiarity advises that i'd wish i hadn't. Thanks for the help

Yes, I'd pre-call a hand DR.. I have done 3/8 x 2.75 in basalt and it's not in any way fun...Hell, with 1/2" even some battery drills will fade if your talking basalt...also a lot of bits aren't long enough for a real 6" hole.

Greg Barnes wrote:I've hand drilled 1/2 x 4" in granite, which is similar in hardness to drilling in basalt. Took about 90 minutes per bolt, so I'd expect a full 2 hours per bolt if you're going for 6". Rent the drill.

OP, to really put that in perspective...I can drill a 1/2 inch by 4" hole in granite with a battery drill in about 45 seconds with my 36-volt Boschhammer.

Truly consider how much your time is worth. I'm really not trying to sound crass but you could spend an entire day placing 4 bolts. Or you could spend 20 minutes placing 4 bolts.

The only way I can see a hand-drill being remotely worth it is when the ethics of the area dictate it, legality of the area dictates it, you're in a ridiculously remote area where the weight is worth saving, you're trying to keep it on the down low, or if you really only plan on placing a handful of bolts very infrequently.

I truly don't understand people who prefer a hand drill *if* the other conditions mentioned above aren't of concern.

Midway Island, Pacific Ocean......two months. I got the time.

Its just, do i want to aggravation....

No, no power tool rentals available where i'm going. I could have something shipped over......and that's why i'm posting the question.

bernard wolfe wrote:Midway Island, Pacific Ocean......two months. I got the time. Its just, do i want to aggravation.... No, no power tool rentals available where i'm going. I could have something shipped over......and that's why i'm posting the question.

Yea, Midway is a bit out of the way. Fly me over and I'll bring my drill. :)

All I ask is to wet a line in the lagoon (catch and release :P).

If you have never hand-drilled you are going to find that it takes a lot of holes to actually get it right.

Get a power drill (gas probably best in your location, rechargeable batteries can fail). Practice on some similar stone that won't leave the holes visible later. Get plenty of extra bits.

Do your best to save Midway.