quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

After many years I am redoing my front planter boxes in stone.

If you are using stone, why do you still have railroad ties?

Stone instead of mulch, I would like to redo them in block but don't have the skill/knowledge

If you have your heart set on a 4" hole use a post hole digger to dig right in front of the wall and dig under the front of the box for the outlet. You can get a slotted 4" cover at Lowe's or HD. The exit hole you dig as much as you can then let a hose do the rest from both directions.

It will exit in a bit of a different place but you will have the diameter drain you want.

As for as knowledge to lay stone, they make a stackable stone (several brands out there) that you use a caulk gun dispensed adhesive to hold together. Most of the companies have an online calculator to tell you how much you will need of the stone and the adhesive.

Mark

Would a "Remington drill press" work? You know, the kind with 12GA "bits"? It would have to be done safely, like taking the RR tie to an open range.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
Would a "Remington drill press" work? You know, the kind with 12GA "bits"? It would have to be done safely, like taking the RR tie to an open range.

Naw, belt fed is the proper way to go here.

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Originally posted by sreding:

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
That said, if you have your heart set on a 4" hole, I would use a chain saw and plunge cut a square hole.

For a hole that size this is really the only practical solution. A hole saw will quickly gum up as you heat it if those are actual RR ties.

Also keep in mind that unless you back dig behind the hole, whatever you use to make it will be shot after the first hole and hitting dirt.

Those sure don't look like any RR ties I've ever seen. Look like just pressure treated landscape lumber to me.

Just notch it in. Skilsaw, hand saw, chainsaw. Saw in 4 inches, bust out the piece. Whatever you have handy. Add a little mortar around the pipe to fill any gap.Sort of like this. But won't be as pretty as a fitting hole.
https://youtu.be/YPbpV0wiZzE

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

After many years I am redoing my front planter boxes in stone.

If you are using stone, why do you still have railroad ties?

Stone instead of mulch, I would like to redo them in block but don't have the skill/knowledge

It is actually quite easy. Once the bottom row is level it is cake.
If I can do it anyone can.

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Originally posted by Black92LX: It is actually quite easy. Once the bottom row is level it is cake.
If I can do it anyone can.

Did you first pour a concrete base to keep the blocks level? I'm considering the same thing in my yard. (OP, sorry for the thread drift.)

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Originally posted by Tailhook 84:

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX: It is actually quite easy. Once the bottom row is level it is cake.
If I can do it anyone can.

Did you first pour a concrete base to keep the blocks level? I'm considering the same thing in my yard. (OP, sorry for the thread drift.)

You dig out starting at your lowest point use a tamper to get the ground firm and put down what is called paver base. Kind of a fine gravel that helps seat the bottom row of block. Once that bottom row is level the rest above are level.



I was surprised at how easy it actually is. I had never done one before and am quite happy with how it turned out. Certainly not perfect but turned out quite nice.

Wow, that does look nice, 92LX! Appreciate the pics, and it does looks fairly easy. Not sure though how Mrs. 'Hook is going to like digging out the ground and working the tamper.

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Originally posted by cparktd:
Just notch it in. Skilsaw, hand saw, chainsaw. Saw in 4 inches, bust out the piece. Whatever you have handy. Add a little mortar around the pipe to fill any gap.Sort of like this. But won't be as pretty as a fitting hole.
https://youtu.be/YPbpV0wiZzE

This!

If you really want a 4" hole, you can do it with a Milwaukee 48-25-4125 Selfeed Bit 4-1/8 in.
http://www.greatlakespowertool...KgZeQwg7gBoCazTw_wcB


But you better have one helleva good drill (Hole Hawg) to turn it!
http://www.northerntool.com/sh...1ZiI9GxOwhoC19jw_wcB

Here's their new improved hole saw 4 1/4". You will have to stop and remove the center every so often.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/.../drilling/49-56-9045

After looking at them I do not think they are railroad ties but landscaping logs as the are square not rectangular like RR ties and they
seem softer.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
If you really want a 4" hole, you can do it with a Milwaukee 48-25-4125 Selfeed Bit 4-1/8 in.
http://www.greatlakespowertool...KgZeQwg7gBoCazTw_wcB


But you better have one helleva good drill (Hole Hawg) to turn it!
http://www.northerntool.com/sh...1ZiI9GxOwhoC19jw_wcB

Here's their new improved hole saw 4 1/4". You will have to stop and remove the center every so often.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/.../drilling/49-56-9045

Finally, the correct answer. Side handle, 110v drill and low RPM. Be careful not to break your wrist. I would think a 2" PVC would be plenty to drain that and a much cheaper Sel-feed bit.

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

After many years I am redoing my front planter boxes in stone.

If you are using stone, why do you still have railroad ties?

Stone instead of mulch, I would like to redo them in block but don't have the skill/knowledge

It's not that hard. Like playing Lego's only heavier.
Several people here could give advice, and there's U-Tube. I've used versa-lok but there are several manufacturers models available.

I'm ripping out more railroad ties now... they don't last.

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Originally posted by 46and2:

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
I plan on putting a 4 inch drain pipe in.

With what?

Drilling much more than a 1" hole is going to be a pain in the ballsteins, primarily from a tool perspective. Hole saws that big aren't deep enough. Most auger bits that are long enough aren't big enough. Most consumer drills aren't made with that in mind.

I suppose a bunch of 1" holes and a bunch of work with a keyhole type saw would work, but be a lot of work.

Could he drill with the hole saw until it bottoms out, remove the saw and chisel out the plug, then re-insert the saw and do it again, repeating as necessary?

flashguy

quote:

Be careful not to break your wrist.

If they are RR ties. Get ready to hang the hell on. Go rent a BIG drill from a big box store. I did about 30 holes one day for a retention wall. Needed to drive rebar through them. Broke 3 bits.

When that drill catches. It'll take you for a ride.

It took me 2 hours to drill 12 half inch holes through 4 different crossties - 3 each. They are difficult to say the least...

It's done! I rented a 1/2 heavy duty drill, bought a 4 1/4 wood bit and and hour of drilling it's done for a total cost of $47.

just curious , did you put screen on the other side to prevent the back fill from pouring out the holes , when it rains?