incl. 20% VAT
incl. 20% VAT
incl. 20% VAT
Hand drills are generally used for four purposes. Firstly, for expeditions as a back-up. Secondly, for caving when it is not practical to take a cordless hammer drill with you. Thirdly, they can be taken along for emergencies when alpine climbing. And fourthly, out of interest, to round off your knowledge and skills. In other words, to know how to set a fixed point by hand.
As a bolting specialist, we naturally have everything you need for drilling by hand in our range. In the following, we therefore provide you with valuable tips on the subject of hand drills.
Hand drills – where you come from
In the past, hand drills and rock hammers were the only way to set expansion bolt. This is why they were already used in the 50s and 60s. At that time, the so-called “Sticht” expansion bolt were hammered into the holes.
From the late 1970s, self-drilling anchors, known as “spits”, were used for the first time when drilling by hand. This was followed in the 1980s by internally threaded expansion anchors or so-called “single-point expansion anchors” such as the Petzl Longlife.
The era of the Spits
A classic “spit”, i.e. a self-drilling anchor with an expanding cone.
The era of so-called “spits” began in the 1980s. These are self-drilling anchors. They can be recognized by their serrated crowns at the tip.
On the one hand, they were used to “drill”. This involved hitting the hand drill and turning it regularly. This created the required hole. This was then cleaned for the first time. Then you had to remove the point from the hand drill, insert the small expanding wedge and hammer it into the drilling hole. The bolt hanger was then fixed in place with a screw.
The process is still the same today.
Today, the word “spit” is often misleadingly used for expansion bolt in general. Especially in Italy. From the historical alpine context mentioned above, it is clear why this is the case.
Video Use of hand drill
In the following video you can see how to set a spit with a hand drill.
Hand drill with SDS attachment
Spit attachments are still around today. We also have them in our range. However, as they are made of zinc-plated steel, they are not an optimal long-term solution.
When drilling by hand, the use of SDS drill bits has now become established. On the one hand, this method is usually faster. And secondly, the stainless steel expansion bolt also lasts much longer.
Please note. You may need an appropriate attachment for SDS drill bits for your tap drill!
You can install a 10mm expansion bolt in approx. 30-45 minutes. You can install an 8mm expansion bolt in approx. 20-30 minutes.
Alternatively, there are also various drill bits instead of SDS drill bits. Such as the 12mm drill bit “Punta Triangolo” from Raumer in our store.
Hand drill for emergencies
Hand drills can be extremely useful. On the one hand as an emergency back-up. This can be useful in alpinism as well as in speleology. For example, on expeditions or very long underground stays.
And secondly, in alpine terrain. For example, if the abseil route is unclear and you have to consider the option of an expansion bolt.
Internal thread Anchor
One option is the internally threaded anchor from Raumer for M8 screws.
Sometimes there is some confusion due to the co-existence of spit (self-drilling) and internally threaded anchors (not self-drilling!).
I.e. very simple. Spikes are used directly for drilling and anchoring. Internally threaded anchors, however, are only used for fastening. The hole must be created with a separate drill.
Pay attention to steel quality!
Never mix zinc plated materials with stainless steel components. This leads to galvanic corrosion. This also applies to spits and internally threaded anchors.
Consequently, you must never mount stainless steel screws, washers or washers on zinc plated spits. bolt hanger mount them.
Visit our bolting blog for our interesting and explanatory technical articles!
FAQs on the subject of hand drillsHow does hand drilling work when climbing?
A hand drill is required to set a fixed point when climbing by hand.
Either a so-called “spit”, a self-drilling anchor, can be screwed onto it. This is hammered into place with an expansion wedge after the drilling process.
Alternatively, an SDS drill bit can be attached to the hand drill and used to drill a hole. A expansion bolt can then be mounted in this hole.
How long does it take to place a expansion bolt by hand?
It takes approx. 25 minutes to set an 8 mm expansion bolt with a setting depth of approx. 5 cm by hand in normal rock (e.g. limestone). In very hard rock it can take 30 minutes.
How long does it take to set a point?
Self-drilling anchors, known among climbers as “spits”, can be set in approx. 20-30 minutes, depending on the dimensions and rock hardness.
Which hammer should I use with a hand drill for expansion bolt?
It is best to use a larger, heavier rock hammer. The better the “pull” and the better the “punch”, the faster the advance when setting expansion bolt by hand.
Big wall hammers such as the Kong “Eagle” or larger rock hammers such as the Camp Brenta are ideal.
Where can you buy Spit?
The bolting specialist bolting.eu in Austria is the market leader for products for setting up climbing routes. You can get Spit in several dimensions and steel qualities there!
Where can you buy hand drills for expansion bolt?
In the drilling store of the market leader bolting.eu you will find everything you need for setting expansion bolt by hand!
