How can I attach hooks etc. on a second story balcony, when all siding/molding/stucco is made of thick cement?

I am looking to put bird feeders, hanging planters, and other such decorative items up on our balcony, but am hindered by the cement molding. *Are there any options outside of purchasing a drill with masonry bit to attach the hooks?* I am looking to avoid purchasing a drill, which will run about $100 for the job it necessitates. IF NOT, what are some drills that you can recommend that are inexpensive yet heavy-duty?? I have looked on Amazon.com for reviews, but still do not know which to get. I also live by a Sears %26amp; Target, if that is any relevant. Thanks!!

How can I attach hooks etc. on a second story balcony, when all siding/molding/stucco is made of thick cement?
I think, the drills you are looking at are contractor grade. To me, this means, it is designed to do hard work on a daily basis. You do not need this, you will be fortunate, from what you said, if you do this type of hard work every once in a while, so this is not the drill you want. You'd be paying for much more drill than you'd use.


I would say get a heavy duty drill at wallmart or some store like this, get yourself a good masonary bit and you will be able to do what has to be done. You should be able to get a decent basic heavy duty drill ( no frills) for around $40.00.





Remember, it really is the masonary drill bit that will cut the hole, not the drill size. Keep dipping the bit in water so it don't overheat.





Remember: All you need is a 3/8 Reversable drill "Corded"








even this drill should work for you:


http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-DR201...
Reply:Don't but the drill. Get a flat screw driver and just scrape the concrete. Starting is the hard part. After that it will go easy enough. Make sure you go thru and use a butterfly tokel bolt. Report It

Reply:any cheap $10 - $30 drill and concrete drill bit will do the job. If you are doing small jobs occasionally, you don't need an expensive drill. Cummings, or Harbor Freight, Black and Decker at Walmart. 1/4" drill is all you need.
Reply:3M makes something called Command - which is a heavy duty glue on a spongy materials - it is weight rated, you can get the really heavy duty stuff and hand something from that - then you do'nt have to drill holes, pay fines when you leave, or anything else.





You can find it at home depot, lowes, et al.
Reply:Masonry bits aren't too expensive ($3-$12) and I'd recommend checking the local pawn shops for a cheap but strong drill.
Reply:Buy a hammer drill and drill some holes into the cement. Don't let your landlord catch you, though, since they will like this only slightly better than people dealing meth out of their unit.
Reply:No need to buy a drill when you can rent one. What you want is a "hammer drill" that actually hammers the bit at the concrete as it drill it out. A full-service rental place will have EVERYTHING you need: the tool, a choice of bits and maybe even "Tapcons" which are a special kind of screw that goes in concrete. Note: you'll need to turn the screw in with the drill, so you'll also need a drill bit for doing so. The Tapcons have a "hex" head for a socket driver.





But wait -there's more: Rather than affixing a screw for every item you want to hang, what you really want to do is attach a section of wooden board, such as a 2 X 10 and THEN use conventional srews, hangers, etc. that go into THAT. This way, just a few screws (4 or 6, maybe) will mount your board securely and you can use hand tools for everything that screws into it.





If that's the way you want to go, I'd forget the Tapcons because you must first drill through the board and THEN into the concrete. Alignment of the hole in the board and the hole in the concrete is CRITICAL. Instead, use plastic anchors and screws. Drill the board first (holes slightly smaller than width of screws) in all areas you want to screw through into concrete. You'll use a wood drill bit for this. Now you have a template. Hold the board in place, insert your drill bit into each hole and run the drill long enough just to make a mark in the concrete. This will dull the drill bit -so don't buy an expensive one (or set). Pull the board away, and come back with your masonry bit, properly sized for the anchors you're going to use. Drill your holes where the marks are. Tap in the anchors. Now, with the screw driver bit (or even just a plain old screw driver) turn the screws into the board, so just the tips stick out the back side. Line those up with your anchors, and push the board against the concrete, then start screwing them in, a few turns on one, a few turns on another, then another, doing it this way until the board is firmly set into the wall. You may also want to apply a construction adhesive to the back side of the board before screwing it onto the concrete.





What's critical here is making sure that the screws are long enough to go through the board and penetrate the concrete by an inch or a bit more.





There is another option: how about a hanging rack you build up from 2 X 4's, that sits on the edge of your porch/balcony?





In any case, print out this answer and walk it into Lowes, Home Depot or other building supply place and show it to a helpful associate -they'll know how to fit you out.



tanning