Instead, just feed your wire through the same hole. Even if you need a couple of extra feet of wire, it is worth it. When feed wiring or pipes through existing holes, make sure you avoid combining: The maximum depth of a notch at the end of a joist (where it rests on a wall or beam) can’t exceed one-quarter of the joist depth. There are a lot of different reasons why you may be considering drilling through your floor joists. While the amount of home improvement options is limitless, drilling through floor joists is necessitated by the installation of: That’s not to say that Milwaukee’s design is perfect. It just gives you that little bit of extra clearance to reach a few more places than you can with this. More Muscle for New Construction

Unfortunately, sometimes you cannot see what is on the other side of a joist. There could be another joist with a small gap in between, or perhaps a hidden crawlspace that you will be snaking wire through. In this case, it is highly recommended that you look for a better route. Holes should only be drilled on the centre line of the joist. This is where the compressive and tensile load distribution is neutralised

# 3

Keep the measurements the same, if possible. You want to keep the heights exactly the same, especially for water pipes. These types of joists are engineered and their structural performance relies upon their integrity not being compromised.

Where and how to drill joists for electrical cables or plumbing runs depends on what type of floor framing you have. Keep the hole at least 2 in. from the top and the bottom if it’s a dimensional lumber joist. The hole cannot be larger than one-third the depth of the joist, so the maximum hole size for a 2×12 joist (actual size 1-1/2 x 11-1/4 in.) is 3-3/4 in. diameter—plenty big enough for running cable! You can drill the holes anywhere along the length of the joist (first photo). To find out if this might be the case, you can find guidance on notches and holes in solid timber joists for use in domestic properties in section 3.2.2 of Eurocode 5 published by BM TRADA. If you cannot move the tub over, try flipping it the other way around. Hopefully, there are no joists over there that pose a problem.The first variable speed range is 0-400 RPM while the second is 0-1320. Chances are that I’ll do most of my work in the low range. The switch has an unusual placement on the bottom of the tool rather than the top. If you made it this far, you are ultra-prepared to safely drill through your floor joists if still necessary. Just remember, the measurements may sound a little complex, but it makes a lot of sense if you think about it.

The diagrams and tables below illustrate the zones and sizes permissible for differing spans and joist depths. Drilling along the middle line here, of course, would be less than ideal. Instead, simply move your intended hole slightly up or down so that it is 2 inches away from any existing obstacle. And most importantly, do enter the bottom or top two inches of the joist. When You Cannot See Sometimes, however, drilling through a floor joist is about notches, not holes, depending on the type of construction you are doing. In this case, you may be surprised to know that notches need to be smaller than holes. One-sixth of the joist’s height, to be exact.

# 2

The notches should be no further away than 0.25 (¼) times the span. This is to avoid the area of maximum shear force, and the area of maximum bending in the joist

Like the rules for making notches in joists, the rules for making holes in to your joists are designed to ensure that the structural strength of the joist is affected in the least way possible. If you follow these rules you should not have any concerns about building control and meeting building regulations. Joist Notch and Hole Calculator The neutral axis of a joist lies along is the centre line of a joist and is where the joist has neither a compressive or tensional stress Approved Document A no longer provides guidance on the drilling of solid timber joists, instead guidance is provided by BS EN 1995-1: 2004(as amended). The Timber Research and DevelopmentAssociation (www.trada.co.uk) is a useful source of information regarding the drilling and notching of timber structural elements. Make sure not to install joists so they run parallel to, and directly under, walls where you intend to install ductwork. the tool is not an Air Compressor/ Air Tool, a Battery/ Charger, an Accessory, or a Petrol or Production ToolWhen working on domestic property electrical contractors are likely to encounter a variety of types of floor and ceiling joists. These may range from traditional solid timber joists to manufactured joists with timber or metal webs. Some pre-formed joists employ solid timber webs and when it is necessary to drill through this type of web it is most important to either follow the manufacturer’s instructions or to take advice from a suitably qualified structural engineer. Typical manufacturer’s details for drilling I-Joists are shown in Fig 1. The DeWALT 20V MAX* Brushless 7/16″ Stud and Joist Drill is a very specific tool that appeals to particular tradespeople. Because of this, there isn’t a lot of competition. The most comparable model available is Milwaukee’s 18V Hole Hawg Right Angle Drill. It prices similarly, but it does not have safety features like DeWALT’s innovative E-Clutch System®. This safety feature matched with 20V/60V MAX* FLEXVOLT Technology gives you a high-performing, professional-grade drill that is also safer to use. DeWALT thinks they can do it all with power, performance, durability, and now safety. Let’s see if they can. DeWALT 20V Stud and Joist Drill Overview If all else fails, you might just have to wing it. Remember, if you need to do this, drill very slowly and be careful! If you feel any sort of resistance that does not react like the rest of the joist, you are starting to hit something. Stop drilling immediately and find another spot.