Recommended Drill for Landscape Timbers

Landscape Timbers

• Landscape timbers are typically available for heavy projects in 6-by-6-inch, 6-by-8-inch and 8-by-8-inch sizes. If you are building a retaining wall or a large garden planter, you'll need these larger timbers. They usually are available at larger lumber yards. Smaller projects such as sandboxes, garden borders and small raised beds often use smaller 4-by-4-inch timbers with rounded faces on two sides. These are readily available at home centers.

Drilling

• Landscape timbers are held together with iron rebar. The larger the timber, the larger the rebar needed. Pre-drilling a hole accommodates the rebar. Hole locations are marked on each timber, then drilled so they line up with each other when the timbers are stacked. They are drilled at the corners and butt joints, as well as in the middle of every span greater than 6 feet to add structural strength.

Drill

• You'll need to use the largest and strongest drill you have. A drill with a half-inch chuck is usually adequate to accommodate appropriate bits. Cordless drills usually don't have the torque necessary to drill through landscape timbers. An old-fashioned corded drill usually does the job very well. A new, budget-quality, corded drill may not have the power necessary, so if you're buying a new drill, buy the best one you can.

Bits

• Look for a ship auger bit, which bores while removing debris from the hole. You'll recognize this bit by its machined, corkscrew appearance. Most garden projects will require 5/8-inch rebar, so a 1/2-inch diameter, 8-inch-long bit will be needed. Large retaining walls might require larger rebar, so you'll need a larger bit.