Joining Railway Sleepers and a 240mm long 6mm drill bit

[Chrisgr31]

I am in the process of building a raised hardstanding and am using some sleepers was a retaining wall. There are laid on the short edge so I need to connect them through the 240mm width.

I purchased some of these http://www.bunnysbolts.co.uk/fastenmaster?gclid=CN... Timberlok screws. The theory is they are screwed in using a drill. Only problem is they won't go in! he torques took much for the drill even using a mains SDS drill!

So I am pondering pre-drilling a hole using one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6MM-EXTRA-LONG-FLAT-BIT-... but I cant help but feel that a 400mm drill at 6mm size is going to snap! Anyone tried using one?

Or got any better ideas!

[Biker's Nemesis]

Yep, you're on the right track (sic) pre drilling pilot holes.

[GarryA]

Join them with metal strips, the side you are attempting to drill through will be the toughest, you need an auger to drill them.

[herewego]

Hard to tell exactly what you are proposing but by the sound of it you need to put posts in the ground behind the sleepers.

[Marty63]

If the sleepers have been treated or impregnated with tar or bitumen,
you will also be trying to drill thru this also,
usually clogs and clags the drill bit up.

[Chrisgr31]

Posts behind won't really work as the sleepers are stitting on a bed of shingle for drainage, and having shifted the soil today with a minidigger drainage is definitely required! At one point we contemplated going down tot he DIY shop to get some cement to track in to the ground to harden it up.

The shifting of soil also makes putting strips on the back difficult as I'll have to dig it out again! Anyway I have the screws now! A neighbour got his through using an SDS drill, not sure why mine get stuck, but taking them back out again when they get stuck is a nightmare! So I don't want too many abortice attempts!

[Simpo Two]

What about a blind hole on each side and a large dowel?

[GarryA]

That drill bit will be st, get a 6mm auger.

[Gav147]

You could drill through both sleepers with a larger diameter drill/auger bit and bolt them together with some thick gauge threaded rod and counter sink the nuts into the sleepers.

[Wings]

You should be able to purchase an extension bit/drill holder like this one;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-580448-190-Flex...

[-Pete-]

Chrisgr31 said:

I am in the process of building a raised hardstanding and am using some sleepers was a retaining wall. There are laid on the short edge so I need to connect them through the 240mm width.

I purchased some of these http://www.bunnysbolts.co.uk/fastenmaster?gclid=CN... Timberlok screws. The theory is they are screwed in using a drill. Only problem is they won't go in! he torques took much for the drill even using a mains SDS drill!

So I am pondering pre-drilling a hole using one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6MM-EXTRA-LONG-FLAT-BIT-... but I cant help but feel that a 400mm drill at 6mm size is going to snap! Anyone tried using one?

Or got any better ideas!

I've been doing roughly the same, 6 or ~7mm drill and then some 3-in-one oil on the thread and shank. My old Bosch Ni-Mh has been struggling, I've snapped one drill in the process, but I've finished the job. There is no benefit in having the shank gripping the bolt/screw, so make it easier.

[daveparry]

Gav147 said:

You could drill through both sleepers with a larger diameter drill/auger bit and bolt them together with some thick gauge threaded rod and counter sink the nuts into the sleepers.

THIS.................

[Mr GrimNasty]

You could half-butt joint the end ones or drill a wide hole to half depth to make it easier, and/or pilot with a proper auger not a flat bit (as already suggested). Some people might try an impact driver but I'm not a fan. My Bosch 14.4v blue managed a similar job in new oak sleepers but you could tell it was hard work - you could smell wood smoke and sizzle spit on the heads of the screws once they were in!

[cptsideways]

Those timber screws need a windy gun (as in a wheel nut gun) ie a an 18-24v cordless one. They go in a treat then.

[Trevelyan]

I use timberloks regularly for fastening sleepers together. The best way is to use an impact driver to screw them up, they should go in easily then with no pilot hole needed. Impact drivers don't come cheap but I guess they're available to hire.

http://www.tooled-up.com/MicroCategory.asp?CID=34&...

[asgard]

Several years ago I did a similar exercise and struggled to drill through. My sleepers were 'used' and I discovered that I was seting out to drill through the compressed part of the wood, ie where the concrete sleeper/track had lain. Moving off these areas, is was like a hot knife through butter. Not sure if this is relevant to your situation.

[BarnatosGhost]

This might be a bit cowboy, but have you considered using the bolts they use to connect joints in kitchen worktops together?

If you've got a router or get busy with a chisel you might be able to cobble a solution.

[Chrisgr31]

Drill bits now on order. They are new sleepers, didn't think they were oak, but maybe they are!

By the way whats the difference between an impact driver and a usual one? Oh and local toolhire compnay I know well leant me one as they thought it would do the trick. It didn't!

[Mr GrimNasty]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Should keep the Indians out.

[Chrisgr31]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Nope not on hammer. They go though the shortest dimension with no problem. Not sure I want to try too many more at tyhe slightly longer dimension as it takes too long and too much hard work to wind them back out again!