How to drill holesat an anglein wood

You'll more than likely need to add a piece of wood to the bottom of your sacrificial frame that we added in the last step as the arm so that you can screw the arm on. A strip of wood that's a little over 2" x 3/8" x 1/2" wide will suffice.

The goal I had when making this project, and more specifically this plate, was that I could take a piece of wood with a 5" x 8" x 1/2" dimension and put it in without much worry of how I treated it. I mean, let's face it, we have far more to worry about than whether or not the plate below will be damaged.

After this has been carved out, we'll ho-goo it to finish off our structured 'half box'. But first we'll need to transfer the holes from way back in 'Step 2' from the holes in the arms to the relief window board. We want to line the rounded ends from each board to the back of each side of the relief window board. I've included a picture showing the marking of each side of the relief window. Use the same 3/8" Forstner bit, make sure everything is lined up and either tap the bit with a hammer or you can do what I did and chuck the bit up in a drill press and 'press' the indentation.

Before this step gets started, let me add a thought here. In the video I have provided, you'll see here that I used this clamp to hold the jig down. You could use your own clamps on the sides, but if you choose to add the simple jig hole, this is the time to do it. Unfortunately, due to time restraints, I didn't show how I created the slot. I will briefly describe that process here.

When it's time to drill both sides, only drill about an 1/8" in. This is enough to keep the 1/2" tube inside. Next we'll drill the rest of the way out with a 1/4" Forstner bit, which will be perfect for our 3/8" lag screws. Once this is complete, be sure the 1/2" part of the hole is facing the back and ho-goo it down to the base board, using a few nails to tack from underneath and to the flanking pieces (that make up the rest of the box).

The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

Included, in this step, are the exact dimensions of the base. Grab the pieces of wood from the list up above and build it exactly as I have specified. Once it is to scale and looks identical, use a pencil and trace each piece to the base.

The arm has the same necessity for straightness for things to work perfectly. We'll put it back up at the 90 degree angle and lay the tip on the protractor face until its perfectly at 90 degrees. We'll mark the holes, drill and add a couple washers below each hole. Because we made the protractor head flush with the board, we'll want to raise the arm slightly. Four washers will do just that.

Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

How to makean angledrill jig

Because these anchors have relatively large diameters, a standard VSR drill with a concrete bit doesn’t match the job. A ½-inch hammer drill is a much better choice. These tools outperform regular drills because they have a hammering feature that makes the bit reciprocate in and out while it turns. This hammering action helps break up the concrete in the bit’s path, which makes it easier to drill away the extra concrete when attaching wood to concrete. Spiral concrete bit and 7-inch cordless drill Boring Holes in Concrete A concrete drill bit and a typical VSR drill are all that’s required to install concrete nails and screws — and even some small-diameter toggle bolts. The fastener packaging will explain what diameter bit should be used for the fastener to work properly. Large-diameter masonry bit and ½-inch hammer drill Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

How to drill angled holes without a jig

After it's bolted in, take an awl or a nail and flip the back of the jig down. You'll mark the location of the second tube on the back of the left arm. Grab the 1/2" Forstner bit again and drill out the new hole, finishing the cut-through on the bandsaw. Insert the 1 7/16" tubing through both the right and left arm and check to see if you can open and close it without any problems.

When things look just right, we'll pull out the #12 x 1/2" combo pan head screws and throw a couple into the arm. Be very sure you've made those holes big enough or you'll risk destroy the wood you added and the frame.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

If your protractor square is anything like mine, the arm will be too long. The length can be cut from the tip of the pointer to 3 and 3/4" total length. I added a second hole about an 1 1/2" up from the hole that came with it.

The easiest approach is simply to nail the wood to the concrete. Two common nail options are shown below: the cut nail and the concrete nail. The cut nail has a square, tapered shape with a square tip. These nails are driven through a board and into concrete underneath, much like nailing a wood board to a wood floor. These nails are cheap, hold well (as long as they penetrate at least ¾ inch into the concrete) and are extremely hard to pull out. Concrete nail Concrete nails are shaped like thick common nails. The shaft is surrounded with striations to improve holding power, and the steel is hardened so that it won’t bend when it hits the concrete. Like cut nails, these are affordable, hold very well and are difficult to remove. Both types require stout, accurate hammering and have a shear strength of 500 to 600 pounds. Screws Hardened screws can be driven into concrete as long as you first drill a proper-sized clearance hole. These screws come in a wide variety of shank diameters and lengths, along with several head designs, including Phillips, slotted and heavy-duty hex. Typically, a package of these screws comes with a masonry drill bit sized to the screw diameter. Toggle Bolts To install them, position the wood part in place. Drill a clearance hole through the wood and into the concrete using a masonry drill. This is usually a much easier job than driving nails by hand. The shear strength is much higher, too — about two to four times as much, depending on diameter and length. Toggle Bolts Because of the prevalence of concrete block construction, hollow wall fasteners come into play on many jobs. They are installed by drilling a hole into the block until a void inside the block is reached. Then the two side wings on the bolt are squeezed together and pushed into the hole. When they enter the block void, the wings spread out again and can’t be pulled from the hole. These bolts are also used for hanging wood parts (along with light fixtures and shower curtain rods) in areas between wood framing members inside walls. Toggle bolts are stronger than nails, with a shear rating between 550 and 1,700 pounds, but they’re not as strong as concrete screws. Steel anchor Heavy-Duty Anchors When fasteners are used to support horizontal beams on vertical surfaces, such as ledgers that support deck framing on the side of a concrete wall, they need to be strong. The best option for this work is to use steel anchors and matching lag screws. Matching lag screw These fasteners have shear ratings much higher than other choices — in some cases, up to 7,000 pounds. The anchors are installed in predrilled holes in the concrete that match the size of the lag screw being used. The anchor packaging identifies the correct screw size. Because these anchors have relatively large diameters, a standard VSR drill with a concrete bit doesn’t match the job. A ½-inch hammer drill is a much better choice. These tools outperform regular drills because they have a hammering feature that makes the bit reciprocate in and out while it turns. This hammering action helps break up the concrete in the bit’s path, which makes it easier to drill away the extra concrete when attaching wood to concrete. Spiral concrete bit and 7-inch cordless drill Boring Holes in Concrete A concrete drill bit and a typical VSR drill are all that’s required to install concrete nails and screws — and even some small-diameter toggle bolts. The fastener packaging will explain what diameter bit should be used for the fastener to work properly. Large-diameter masonry bit and ½-inch hammer drill Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

You'll also notice in the video that I chose to nail it instead of ho-goo'ing it, but I regret that decision. Ho-goo'ing it is the better option.

Next we'll add the flanks, directly butting these against the hinged front we've already ho-goo'd down. We'll ho-goo these as well and use a few brads to attach them both to the plywood and to the front hinged piece.

Thank you so much for coming along this journey. I really enjoy coming up with new ideas as well as making videos an writing instructables, so leave me a comment and tell me how I'm doing. If you have any problems or something just isn't clear enough...PLEASE, contact me down below. I'm usually very quick to respond and I need to fix errors or clean things up as soon as I can so I don't lead some poor soul off a cliff in despair!

I know, I know, not life shattering terrifying...unless you were me. I remember looking down at my project, all chewed up from the spinning garbage disposal looking monster that was slowly powering down, and thinking, "Never again will I attempt an angled hole with a Forstner bit." And it stuck with me for a long time afterwards. It wasn't until I saw a demonstration for a Forstner bit actually doing that forbidden thing did I begin to wonder if it were possible or if the host was using a trick bit.

With these materials we'll make a box (albeit it a strange one) without a ceiling. Norrrrmally I would refrain from using 'box' as the appropriate term for such an abnormally shaped structure, but it's an easy idea. The half box is tall enough to house both the reinforcements for the sacrificial drill plate as well as my drill press clamp to hold the entire thing down to the drill press table (which is important, as we talked about in the introduction).

Everything has been traced onto the base plywood. Check. Now it's time to use those lines and build our base. The first thing we want to work on is the front piece (1 7/8" x 8" x 1/2" plywood). We'll add the 7" piano hinge to the inside of our plywood board so that the hinge folds towards the back. Before we attach it we'll make sure we find the center of the hinge (3 1/2") and the center of the plywood (4"). We'll draw a line in the middle of both, use a little hot glue to keep it exactly where we want it to go, center our pieces and drill our pilot holes.

The cut nail has a square, tapered shape with a square tip. These nails are driven through a board and into concrete underneath, much like nailing a wood board to a wood floor. These nails are cheap, hold well (as long as they penetrate at least ¾ inch into the concrete) and are extremely hard to pull out. Concrete nail Concrete nails are shaped like thick common nails. The shaft is surrounded with striations to improve holding power, and the steel is hardened so that it won’t bend when it hits the concrete. Like cut nails, these are affordable, hold very well and are difficult to remove. Both types require stout, accurate hammering and have a shear strength of 500 to 600 pounds. Screws Hardened screws can be driven into concrete as long as you first drill a proper-sized clearance hole. These screws come in a wide variety of shank diameters and lengths, along with several head designs, including Phillips, slotted and heavy-duty hex. Typically, a package of these screws comes with a masonry drill bit sized to the screw diameter. Toggle Bolts To install them, position the wood part in place. Drill a clearance hole through the wood and into the concrete using a masonry drill. This is usually a much easier job than driving nails by hand. The shear strength is much higher, too — about two to four times as much, depending on diameter and length. Toggle Bolts Because of the prevalence of concrete block construction, hollow wall fasteners come into play on many jobs. They are installed by drilling a hole into the block until a void inside the block is reached. Then the two side wings on the bolt are squeezed together and pushed into the hole. When they enter the block void, the wings spread out again and can’t be pulled from the hole. These bolts are also used for hanging wood parts (along with light fixtures and shower curtain rods) in areas between wood framing members inside walls. Toggle bolts are stronger than nails, with a shear rating between 550 and 1,700 pounds, but they’re not as strong as concrete screws. Steel anchor Heavy-Duty Anchors When fasteners are used to support horizontal beams on vertical surfaces, such as ledgers that support deck framing on the side of a concrete wall, they need to be strong. The best option for this work is to use steel anchors and matching lag screws. Matching lag screw These fasteners have shear ratings much higher than other choices — in some cases, up to 7,000 pounds. The anchors are installed in predrilled holes in the concrete that match the size of the lag screw being used. The anchor packaging identifies the correct screw size. Because these anchors have relatively large diameters, a standard VSR drill with a concrete bit doesn’t match the job. A ½-inch hammer drill is a much better choice. These tools outperform regular drills because they have a hammering feature that makes the bit reciprocate in and out while it turns. This hammering action helps break up the concrete in the bit’s path, which makes it easier to drill away the extra concrete when attaching wood to concrete. Spiral concrete bit and 7-inch cordless drill Boring Holes in Concrete A concrete drill bit and a typical VSR drill are all that’s required to install concrete nails and screws — and even some small-diameter toggle bolts. The fastener packaging will explain what diameter bit should be used for the fastener to work properly. Large-diameter masonry bit and ½-inch hammer drill Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

When fasteners are used to support horizontal beams on vertical surfaces, such as ledgers that support deck framing on the side of a concrete wall, they need to be strong. The best option for this work is to use steel anchors and matching lag screws. Matching lag screw These fasteners have shear ratings much higher than other choices — in some cases, up to 7,000 pounds. The anchors are installed in predrilled holes in the concrete that match the size of the lag screw being used. The anchor packaging identifies the correct screw size. Because these anchors have relatively large diameters, a standard VSR drill with a concrete bit doesn’t match the job. A ½-inch hammer drill is a much better choice. These tools outperform regular drills because they have a hammering feature that makes the bit reciprocate in and out while it turns. This hammering action helps break up the concrete in the bit’s path, which makes it easier to drill away the extra concrete when attaching wood to concrete. Spiral concrete bit and 7-inch cordless drill Boring Holes in Concrete A concrete drill bit and a typical VSR drill are all that’s required to install concrete nails and screws — and even some small-diameter toggle bolts. The fastener packaging will explain what diameter bit should be used for the fastener to work properly. Large-diameter masonry bit and ½-inch hammer drill Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

Concrete nails are shaped like thick common nails. The shaft is surrounded with striations to improve holding power, and the steel is hardened so that it won’t bend when it hits the concrete. Like cut nails, these are affordable, hold very well and are difficult to remove. Both types require stout, accurate hammering and have a shear strength of 500 to 600 pounds. Screws Hardened screws can be driven into concrete as long as you first drill a proper-sized clearance hole. These screws come in a wide variety of shank diameters and lengths, along with several head designs, including Phillips, slotted and heavy-duty hex. Typically, a package of these screws comes with a masonry drill bit sized to the screw diameter. Toggle Bolts To install them, position the wood part in place. Drill a clearance hole through the wood and into the concrete using a masonry drill. This is usually a much easier job than driving nails by hand. The shear strength is much higher, too — about two to four times as much, depending on diameter and length. Toggle Bolts Because of the prevalence of concrete block construction, hollow wall fasteners come into play on many jobs. They are installed by drilling a hole into the block until a void inside the block is reached. Then the two side wings on the bolt are squeezed together and pushed into the hole. When they enter the block void, the wings spread out again and can’t be pulled from the hole. These bolts are also used for hanging wood parts (along with light fixtures and shower curtain rods) in areas between wood framing members inside walls. Toggle bolts are stronger than nails, with a shear rating between 550 and 1,700 pounds, but they’re not as strong as concrete screws. Steel anchor Heavy-Duty Anchors When fasteners are used to support horizontal beams on vertical surfaces, such as ledgers that support deck framing on the side of a concrete wall, they need to be strong. The best option for this work is to use steel anchors and matching lag screws. Matching lag screw These fasteners have shear ratings much higher than other choices — in some cases, up to 7,000 pounds. The anchors are installed in predrilled holes in the concrete that match the size of the lag screw being used. The anchor packaging identifies the correct screw size. Because these anchors have relatively large diameters, a standard VSR drill with a concrete bit doesn’t match the job. A ½-inch hammer drill is a much better choice. These tools outperform regular drills because they have a hammering feature that makes the bit reciprocate in and out while it turns. This hammering action helps break up the concrete in the bit’s path, which makes it easier to drill away the extra concrete when attaching wood to concrete. Spiral concrete bit and 7-inch cordless drill Boring Holes in Concrete A concrete drill bit and a typical VSR drill are all that’s required to install concrete nails and screws — and even some small-diameter toggle bolts. The fastener packaging will explain what diameter bit should be used for the fastener to work properly. Large-diameter masonry bit and ½-inch hammer drill Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

I listed a handsaw for this next step because you really need to have a flat surface for the top of the saw to run against, which was the sacrificial frame. This kept my saw straight, which is what you really want for the square (more like a rectangle, amiright?) to sit parallel to the frame. Whatever the case may be, we don't need to sink that blade very far in...just enough for the metal to sit, about an 1/8" in. We'll add the 1 1/2" x 3 3/4" x 3/4" rectangle piece in and drill two random holes on the protractor square. We'll glue the rectangle piece in place and allow it to dry before continuing. Now is the perfect time to move on to the arm section (meaning don't glue and run yet!)

Now that our hinge is attached on one side, we'll want to attach the board to the base. Again, make sure the hinge closes towards the back of the jig box and we'll ho-goo (hot glue + wood glue) the plywood to the base. Afterwards, and this is purely for those that are just as impatient as I am, I tacked some brad's in instead of waiting for the glue to dry.

We're going to do something that seems arbitrary and unimportant, but has an importance that can only be appreciated when you're ready to drill a precise diagonal hole. This relief window will allow us to clamp the extending arms into place without bumping into our sacrificial drill plate. I have included a picture to this step for the exact dimensions you'll want to carve out.

Steve Willson was the home improvement editor for Popular Mechanics magazine for 22 years, following a career at the helm of his own carpentry contracting business in Rochester, New York. He has also authored three books about home improvement and tools and writes frequently for The Home Depot.

With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

Have faith, dear reader! While it is true that there is more to this, we are simply going to place all the pieces on the plywood base and sketch out exactly where everything goes. We'll do this to use reference points later on as we ho-goo (hot glue + wood glue) this all together.

A concrete drill bit and a typical VSR drill are all that’s required to install concrete nails and screws — and even some small-diameter toggle bolts. The fastener packaging will explain what diameter bit should be used for the fastener to work properly. Large-diameter masonry bit and ½-inch hammer drill Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

It is crucial that you make sure that whatever you are drilling in to is held down to the sacrificial frame as well as the entire jig is clamped to the drill press table.

Phew! These instructions almost entirely follow the video. If there's anything that seems unclear, watch the link below before commenting (which I will be happy to answer).

This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

We'll now take the two pieces of 1" x 5 7/8" x 1/2" plywood and we'll add them to the back of the plate frame by ho-goo'ing them on. This will keep the sacrificial plate from falling through. And nobody wants a sacrificial plate to fall through (trust me). I've included precise dimensions, but full disclosure, I didn't measure when I put them on, I just made sure there was an overlap of the inside rectangle with both pieces.

Screwat an Angle Tool

But waiiiit a minute Rob, there's more to this than just making a box, or a convoluted one at that, I mean, I watched the video!

Pocket Hole Jig

Now it's time to attach the hinge to the sacrificial frame. We'll use a little hot glue on the hinge again, place the frame a quarter inch from the right side (see included picture) and press down. After it's cooled off (it doesn't dry...why are we still saying this?!), we'll open the top up and add pilot holes before removing the frame from the hot glue (as we did before). We'll then put our newly drilled plate up to the hinge and screw it on.

Drilling45 degree holes

Before we do anything, sit the jig thus far in front of you. The hinge plate should be right in front of you. The relief window should be in the back. Grab both arms that you created in the last step. The left arm will butt up against the relief window first. The right arm will sit behind that. This is the order of your box. Take the left arm and keep the left rounded side in your left hand. Lay it flat in front of you and measure up on both sides 1". Draw a line across it. With your table saw (you may, of course, use any other method to cut this, but a table saw is what I used) you are going to cut off a 40 degree angle, leaving the 1" on the bottom. After that has been accomplished, set it against the back of the relief window.

The base isn't really a difficult chore. In this step (and the next) we'll be able to knock off these items from the overall materials list:

While we're at it we'll skip a little farther in the video instructions and go ahead and drill the holes for our aluminum tube to go into. We'll use a 1/2" Forstner bit and place it where we put our compass point, and we'll do both arms the same way.

I've added a bunch of pictures to make it easier for you to plot the entire step. I encourage you to watch the video of this step (down below) before you get started so that you can the general idea. Basically, you're going to build two arms that extend upward that will cradle a platform. Both arms will have aluminum spacers that will keep the arms attached to the back plate.

We're going to cut two pieces of 1/2" aluminum tubing now. The first one is going to be 13/16". The second will be 1 7/16". With the left arm in position, place the 13/16" tubing through the hole of the arm and push it into the recess we created. If you're using hard maple (or some other hard wood), screwing a 1 1/2" x 3/8" lag bolt (with washer) and unscrewing it (I've done this a few times) won't hurt anything...which is great! Because that's what we're going to do next.

Okay, maybe "Extendable" is not the most correct word here. Both of these arms won't actually become larger. Rather, they will rotate in a way that will hold the platform in different positions, allowing a precise angle to be used. Admittedly, I made a mistake while I was making the video and didn't take into account that one of the arms would actually need to be run through the table saw to create an angle. As the two arms are used to hold the platform (with the sacrificial drill plate), I didn't realize that one of those arms would actually be closer to the platform and need to have that angle (duh, I know). I've included a fail picture to show that mistake as well as a picture for the fix.

Mark a line on both of the 12" sides that is 1 1/4" from the edge. On the perpendicular sides we'll mark a line that's 2" from the edge. That will give us the 5" x 8" x 1/2" inside area that we're looking for. Drill a hole within the inside square that's large enough for your blade and cut on the line (remember, a little extra space will be fine as we don't want the sacrificial plate to be too snug).

If you liked this, please give it a heart. If you liked the video, why not give it a thumbs up? If you're new to my channel or my page here, subscribe to both!

Before we get started let me also add that in order to fold both of these arms down past the other (so that our angle drill plate lays flat at zero degrees on our protractor), we'll have to notch out areas in both arms. This will require a chisel for one side and a bandsaw or some sort of handsaw for the other side. We'll also be using aluminum tubing as both a spacer and as a method of keeping the arms tight against the back. I have never tried using this without the tubing but think it would be problematic. If you choose to not use aluminum tubing, please leave me a comment below and let me know how it turned out for you.

Let's take the two 1 5/8" x 14 3/4" x 11/16" pieces of hardwood (I recommend strongly hard maple as you'll be cutting part of it out and will need that extra strength) and draw lines down the dead center of both, on the 1 5/8" face. From here we want to make the one end of both pieces rounded, so we'll get a compass and set our radius at half of the 1 5/8" distance which equals 13/16". We'll put our marking point at the very end of the 14 3/4" side and the metal point on the line we drew in the center, and we'll draw our curves. Again, this needs to happen on both pieces.

Hey...we're almost there! This step is unnecessary, unless, of course, you're looking to drill perfect angles! In this step a protractor must die, but be reborn in a beautiful way. We will disassemble this tool by removing the thumb screw and possibly drilling out the inner works. I bought two of things from a local box store and the first one fell apart after I removed the thumb screw while the second needed a drill and an optimized bit. Either way, remove the two parts.

Calibrating this is a snap...it really is! We're going to put the sacrificial frame in its upright position and allow the 90 degree line be exactly parallel with the bottom side of the sacrificial frame. This will guarantee that it's perfect...just make sure that the line on your protractor is exactly parallel. Next we'll put a couple combo pan head screws in (pilot holes drilled beforehand) to lock it in place and we'll focus on the arm.

But why combo pan head screws...or what are combo pan head screws? That's a flat surface above the threads of the screw...NOT domed. Domed will not allow you to sneak up and tighten the screws, they'll instead guide you to the center of the holes. The flat surface above the threads on a combo pan head screw makes it great to tighten exactly where you want the screw to go.

Place the jig in front of you with the hinge side facing you and the arms in the back. Flip the jig over like you're turning a page. The included image in this step will show you exact dimensions as to where the groove should be. You'll use a 5/8" Forstner bit and drill several holes along the provided line and come back with a file to remove the points left over.

To install them, position the wood part in place. Drill a clearance hole through the wood and into the concrete using a masonry drill. This is usually a much easier job than driving nails by hand. The shear strength is much higher, too — about two to four times as much, depending on diameter and length. Toggle Bolts Because of the prevalence of concrete block construction, hollow wall fasteners come into play on many jobs. They are installed by drilling a hole into the block until a void inside the block is reached. Then the two side wings on the bolt are squeezed together and pushed into the hole. When they enter the block void, the wings spread out again and can’t be pulled from the hole. These bolts are also used for hanging wood parts (along with light fixtures and shower curtain rods) in areas between wood framing members inside walls. Toggle bolts are stronger than nails, with a shear rating between 550 and 1,700 pounds, but they’re not as strong as concrete screws. Steel anchor Heavy-Duty Anchors When fasteners are used to support horizontal beams on vertical surfaces, such as ledgers that support deck framing on the side of a concrete wall, they need to be strong. The best option for this work is to use steel anchors and matching lag screws. Matching lag screw These fasteners have shear ratings much higher than other choices — in some cases, up to 7,000 pounds. The anchors are installed in predrilled holes in the concrete that match the size of the lag screw being used. The anchor packaging identifies the correct screw size. Because these anchors have relatively large diameters, a standard VSR drill with a concrete bit doesn’t match the job. A ½-inch hammer drill is a much better choice. These tools outperform regular drills because they have a hammering feature that makes the bit reciprocate in and out while it turns. This hammering action helps break up the concrete in the bit’s path, which makes it easier to drill away the extra concrete when attaching wood to concrete. Spiral concrete bit and 7-inch cordless drill Boring Holes in Concrete A concrete drill bit and a typical VSR drill are all that’s required to install concrete nails and screws — and even some small-diameter toggle bolts. The fastener packaging will explain what diameter bit should be used for the fastener to work properly. Large-diameter masonry bit and ½-inch hammer drill Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

Now let's take off that hot glue. It should come off easily with or without a chisel, but it's one of those times where we really don't want the space between the metal and the wood to exist (and hot glue is really bad about creating voids). Once you've removed the hot glue, screw in our #6 x 1/2" screws (or probably the ones that came with the hinge, so long as they're not longer than 1/2").

These fasteners have shear ratings much higher than other choices — in some cases, up to 7,000 pounds. The anchors are installed in predrilled holes in the concrete that match the size of the lag screw being used. The anchor packaging identifies the correct screw size. Because these anchors have relatively large diameters, a standard VSR drill with a concrete bit doesn’t match the job. A ½-inch hammer drill is a much better choice. These tools outperform regular drills because they have a hammering feature that makes the bit reciprocate in and out while it turns. This hammering action helps break up the concrete in the bit’s path, which makes it easier to drill away the extra concrete when attaching wood to concrete. Spiral concrete bit and 7-inch cordless drill Boring Holes in Concrete A concrete drill bit and a typical VSR drill are all that’s required to install concrete nails and screws — and even some small-diameter toggle bolts. The fastener packaging will explain what diameter bit should be used for the fastener to work properly. Large-diameter masonry bit and ½-inch hammer drill Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

Now that that's complete, reinstall the left arm by screwing the 1 1/2" x 3/8" lag bolt back inside. Before installing the right arm, install just the tubing for now and let it sit on top of the left arm lag head. Here we'll mark out where the 1 1/2" bolt head keeps the right arm from laying flat on the back. We'll use a chisel to clean up a nice recess large enough that you can lay the right arm flat with the left arm. Now bolt it altogether and make sure both arms lay flat.

When I first started woodworking XX years ago, I did something so moronically stupid that it kept me grounded with paranoia from ever doing that thing again. No, I didn't burn down the parents house with grinder sparks and sawdust, I didn't impale myself with a scrap from the table saw, nor did I electrocute myself with an ungrounded prehistoric hand drill (well, no, I did do that). Dear reader, I tried to drill a hole, with a Forstner bit...at an angle.

Because of the prevalence of concrete block construction, hollow wall fasteners come into play on many jobs. They are installed by drilling a hole into the block until a void inside the block is reached. Then the two side wings on the bolt are squeezed together and pushed into the hole. When they enter the block void, the wings spread out again and can’t be pulled from the hole. These bolts are also used for hanging wood parts (along with light fixtures and shower curtain rods) in areas between wood framing members inside walls. Toggle bolts are stronger than nails, with a shear rating between 550 and 1,700 pounds, but they’re not as strong as concrete screws. Steel anchor Heavy-Duty Anchors When fasteners are used to support horizontal beams on vertical surfaces, such as ledgers that support deck framing on the side of a concrete wall, they need to be strong. The best option for this work is to use steel anchors and matching lag screws. Matching lag screw These fasteners have shear ratings much higher than other choices — in some cases, up to 7,000 pounds. The anchors are installed in predrilled holes in the concrete that match the size of the lag screw being used. The anchor packaging identifies the correct screw size. Because these anchors have relatively large diameters, a standard VSR drill with a concrete bit doesn’t match the job. A ½-inch hammer drill is a much better choice. These tools outperform regular drills because they have a hammering feature that makes the bit reciprocate in and out while it turns. This hammering action helps break up the concrete in the bit’s path, which makes it easier to drill away the extra concrete when attaching wood to concrete. Spiral concrete bit and 7-inch cordless drill Boring Holes in Concrete A concrete drill bit and a typical VSR drill are all that’s required to install concrete nails and screws — and even some small-diameter toggle bolts. The fastener packaging will explain what diameter bit should be used for the fastener to work properly. Large-diameter masonry bit and ½-inch hammer drill Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

It is crucial that you get it as round as possible as we'll depend on that curve being able to hold pressure from the drill press as it supports the drill plate. You can either rough cut it on the bandsaw and clean it up with a belt sander, or just sand it. Again, it's crucial that it rocks against the plywood when this is complete.

These bolts are also used for hanging wood parts (along with light fixtures and shower curtain rods) in areas between wood framing members inside walls. Toggle bolts are stronger than nails, with a shear rating between 550 and 1,700 pounds, but they’re not as strong as concrete screws. Steel anchor Heavy-Duty Anchors When fasteners are used to support horizontal beams on vertical surfaces, such as ledgers that support deck framing on the side of a concrete wall, they need to be strong. The best option for this work is to use steel anchors and matching lag screws. Matching lag screw These fasteners have shear ratings much higher than other choices — in some cases, up to 7,000 pounds. The anchors are installed in predrilled holes in the concrete that match the size of the lag screw being used. The anchor packaging identifies the correct screw size. Because these anchors have relatively large diameters, a standard VSR drill with a concrete bit doesn’t match the job. A ½-inch hammer drill is a much better choice. These tools outperform regular drills because they have a hammering feature that makes the bit reciprocate in and out while it turns. This hammering action helps break up the concrete in the bit’s path, which makes it easier to drill away the extra concrete when attaching wood to concrete. Spiral concrete bit and 7-inch cordless drill Boring Holes in Concrete A concrete drill bit and a typical VSR drill are all that’s required to install concrete nails and screws — and even some small-diameter toggle bolts. The fastener packaging will explain what diameter bit should be used for the fastener to work properly. Large-diameter masonry bit and ½-inch hammer drill Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

Drilling at an anglejig

So if we're going to drill at an angle with a Forstner bit, we need to be smart about it. We need to secure the work piece to the drill press table. We need a nice solid defense against the wicked witch of the Press and her evil sister, Forensa the biddy. Let's also make it precise and easy to measure the angle, just for chips and giggles.

Concrete Decor is a valuable source of information, ideas, product news and training relevant to both commercial and residential work in decorative concrete and related specialties.

45 degreeangledrill jig

Look at a Forstner bit and you'll see teeth on the outer rim with a pyramid point in the exact center. From the point to those teeth are a pair of chisel like cutters that slowly skim the wood surface and cut a hole. Flip the Forstner bit onto its side and you'll notice that the pyramid shaped point extends past the blades and the teeth, and protrudes farthest from the cutting side of the bit. There's a good reason for that, and it's not for cutting. Nope, it's major, important duty is to act as an index for the rest of the bit. Without it we are fighting to keep it where we want it to go. This is why cutting a larger diameter hole after drilling a smaller hole is nearly impossible to do, unless you're using a drill press (and even then I'm not a fan of doing it).

Concrete is not the easiest material to work with, especially if you’re trying to build a structure (like a house) that involves the use of both concrete and wood products. Fortunately, there are many ways to make the transition from concrete floors and wall frames to wood floors and drywall. Most masonry contractors have their favorites when it comes to attaching wood to concrete, but the newer members of the crew might not. The following is a breakdown of the pros and cons of four versatile fasteners most often used for attaching wood to concrete. Cut nail Nails The easiest approach is simply to nail the wood to the concrete. Two common nail options are shown below: the cut nail and the concrete nail. The cut nail has a square, tapered shape with a square tip. These nails are driven through a board and into concrete underneath, much like nailing a wood board to a wood floor. These nails are cheap, hold well (as long as they penetrate at least ¾ inch into the concrete) and are extremely hard to pull out. Concrete nail Concrete nails are shaped like thick common nails. The shaft is surrounded with striations to improve holding power, and the steel is hardened so that it won’t bend when it hits the concrete. Like cut nails, these are affordable, hold very well and are difficult to remove. Both types require stout, accurate hammering and have a shear strength of 500 to 600 pounds. Screws Hardened screws can be driven into concrete as long as you first drill a proper-sized clearance hole. These screws come in a wide variety of shank diameters and lengths, along with several head designs, including Phillips, slotted and heavy-duty hex. Typically, a package of these screws comes with a masonry drill bit sized to the screw diameter. Toggle Bolts To install them, position the wood part in place. Drill a clearance hole through the wood and into the concrete using a masonry drill. This is usually a much easier job than driving nails by hand. The shear strength is much higher, too — about two to four times as much, depending on diameter and length. Toggle Bolts Because of the prevalence of concrete block construction, hollow wall fasteners come into play on many jobs. They are installed by drilling a hole into the block until a void inside the block is reached. Then the two side wings on the bolt are squeezed together and pushed into the hole. When they enter the block void, the wings spread out again and can’t be pulled from the hole. These bolts are also used for hanging wood parts (along with light fixtures and shower curtain rods) in areas between wood framing members inside walls. Toggle bolts are stronger than nails, with a shear rating between 550 and 1,700 pounds, but they’re not as strong as concrete screws. Steel anchor Heavy-Duty Anchors When fasteners are used to support horizontal beams on vertical surfaces, such as ledgers that support deck framing on the side of a concrete wall, they need to be strong. The best option for this work is to use steel anchors and matching lag screws. Matching lag screw These fasteners have shear ratings much higher than other choices — in some cases, up to 7,000 pounds. The anchors are installed in predrilled holes in the concrete that match the size of the lag screw being used. The anchor packaging identifies the correct screw size. Because these anchors have relatively large diameters, a standard VSR drill with a concrete bit doesn’t match the job. A ½-inch hammer drill is a much better choice. These tools outperform regular drills because they have a hammering feature that makes the bit reciprocate in and out while it turns. This hammering action helps break up the concrete in the bit’s path, which makes it easier to drill away the extra concrete when attaching wood to concrete. Spiral concrete bit and 7-inch cordless drill Boring Holes in Concrete A concrete drill bit and a typical VSR drill are all that’s required to install concrete nails and screws — and even some small-diameter toggle bolts. The fastener packaging will explain what diameter bit should be used for the fastener to work properly. Large-diameter masonry bit and ½-inch hammer drill Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete

Let's think about this one, before we get started. If you only plan on using this a few times, or plan on replacing the entire plate (that connects to the base) when you've drilled the plate to pieces, this step can be skipped. In this step I used a scroll saw. I really do try to limit my equipment as I know most people don't waste all their money on woodworking hardware, but in this case it seemed to be the best choice. Besides all that, a coping saw will work and you can pick one up for less than $10 (USD, secret's blown, I am an American).

Hardened screws can be driven into concrete as long as you first drill a proper-sized clearance hole. These screws come in a wide variety of shank diameters and lengths, along with several head designs, including Phillips, slotted and heavy-duty hex. Typically, a package of these screws comes with a masonry drill bit sized to the screw diameter. Toggle Bolts To install them, position the wood part in place. Drill a clearance hole through the wood and into the concrete using a masonry drill. This is usually a much easier job than driving nails by hand. The shear strength is much higher, too — about two to four times as much, depending on diameter and length. Toggle Bolts Because of the prevalence of concrete block construction, hollow wall fasteners come into play on many jobs. They are installed by drilling a hole into the block until a void inside the block is reached. Then the two side wings on the bolt are squeezed together and pushed into the hole. When they enter the block void, the wings spread out again and can’t be pulled from the hole. These bolts are also used for hanging wood parts (along with light fixtures and shower curtain rods) in areas between wood framing members inside walls. Toggle bolts are stronger than nails, with a shear rating between 550 and 1,700 pounds, but they’re not as strong as concrete screws. Steel anchor Heavy-Duty Anchors When fasteners are used to support horizontal beams on vertical surfaces, such as ledgers that support deck framing on the side of a concrete wall, they need to be strong. The best option for this work is to use steel anchors and matching lag screws. Matching lag screw These fasteners have shear ratings much higher than other choices — in some cases, up to 7,000 pounds. The anchors are installed in predrilled holes in the concrete that match the size of the lag screw being used. The anchor packaging identifies the correct screw size. Because these anchors have relatively large diameters, a standard VSR drill with a concrete bit doesn’t match the job. A ½-inch hammer drill is a much better choice. These tools outperform regular drills because they have a hammering feature that makes the bit reciprocate in and out while it turns. This hammering action helps break up the concrete in the bit’s path, which makes it easier to drill away the extra concrete when attaching wood to concrete. Spiral concrete bit and 7-inch cordless drill Boring Holes in Concrete A concrete drill bit and a typical VSR drill are all that’s required to install concrete nails and screws — and even some small-diameter toggle bolts. The fastener packaging will explain what diameter bit should be used for the fastener to work properly. Large-diameter masonry bit and ½-inch hammer drill Large-diameter holes are required for big toggle bolts and almost all anchors. Typically, these bits have carbide tips to prolong tool life and are driven with a heavy-duty hammer drill. This tool turns the bit as other drills do. But, it also has a percussion feature that makes the concrete easier to drill. The fastest and easiest way to attach most wood parts to concrete is to use a powder-actuated gun. To use it, load a special gun nail and a .22 caliber gun shell into the barrel. Press the nose against the workpiece, pull the trigger and the shell will drive the fastener directly into the concrete. No predrilling or elaborate measuring and layout are needed to position the fastener — just hold the board against the concrete and fire the tool. Gun nail, gun shells and powder-actuated gun This gun costs more than a decent drill (as much as $200 more), but it makes light work of most jobs. Before you reach for this tool, read the operators’ manual carefully. This will ensure you’re using the correct amount of powder and the right size fasteners. Always wear eye goggles and ear protection when using a powder-actuated gun. With the right tools and fasteners, it’s easy to fasten wood to concrete in home construction projects. Got more questions about your project? Question*Do you have a project photo that you would like to share with us? Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Allowed formats: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdfFirst Name Last Name Your Role*Please selectContractorDIYDesignerArchitectOtherHow would you like us to respond?Email* Phone Note: Some questions will be published anonymously with their answers at the end of this story to share with other readers. Related Tips to Protect Concrete Anchors From Damage ConFast Threaded Rod Anchor Now Available for Purchase Simpson Strong-Tie Brings Code-Listed, Project-Tested Structural Solutions to World of Concrete