To drill or not to drill? ... my new travertine deck

[Kbt22pool]

Just refinished our pool with new coping, tile, plaster and decking. All ivory travertine surround with a French pattern (different size pavers 1.25 inches thick). 3 foot border around an oval ship with a small bump-out for a Love seat. I have a mesh loop-loc cover and just got 15 inch anchor-in-pipe anchors ... now the question. Should I go for the install myself, or sub it out? I am handy. I would buy a Makita hammer drill with a 24 inch stone bit (brand new). I've read a lot about it... proper distance, how to drill, etc. should I try it, or pay someone $750 to do it for me? That's the only quote I have been able to get.

Advise appreciated!!!

by the way, the travertine is set dry. 8 inches of compacted substrate, laid on sand. Looks gorgeous.

 

[grumpiebk]

I don't have advice on the drilling, but I'd love to see pics. We are also considering ivory travertine in French pattern.


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[zea3]

If you have any scrap travertine you may want to practice on it just to make sure it doesn't crack or crumble when you try to drill it.

 

[Jaimslaw]

This is a fairly straightforward DIY project. Proper measuring and drilling making up the majority of the work. Good idea about test drilling...being sure to get good quality mason bit and to go slow and easy on the drilling. $750??? Seems you have some real savings doing it yourself. Also, you can rent the hammerdrill at HD.

 

[Teald024]

Just refinished our pool with new coping, tile, plaster and decking. All ivory travertine surround with a French pattern.... 3 foot border around an oval ship with a small bump-out for a Love seat. ....by the way, the travertine is set dry. 8 inches of compacted substrate, laid on sand. Looks gorgeous.

OK, quit teasing us and post some pics! lol


edit: Sorry, forgot your original question. I cant offer any advice other than try it on an obscure or scrap piece first. Find the biggest scrap piece and drill the heck out of it to get the hang of the process / speed / cutting fluid setup....
.

 

[tcrote5516]

Save your money and DON'T buy a hammer drill. I have a Dewalt hammer drill and tried to use it when drilling my pavers for the same 15" aluminium sleeves. Halfway through the first one I knew it was going to be a problem. I ended up drilling a couple (took about 30min each) before the gearbox overheated and I headed off to home depot to rent a real drill. You'll be at it for two day's with just a hammer drill and be physically exhausted. Go rent a rotary hammer and you'll be done in an hour. A rotary hammer cuts through anything like butter and puts less of a vibratory impact on the body/substrait. Not to mention the buying the 3/4" x 20" bit isn't cheap but they come free with the rental.