How to Hang Timber Gates on Stone Piers

[AleoN]

In the process of trying to hang a pair of timber gates on stone piers. Hangers I got with the gates require four holes to be drilled for each hanger. I thought that I would drill four holes for 3/8” rawlbolts and hang the gates from these. However when I tried a trial hole on a piece of stone I discovered it was far harder to drill than I thought.
Anyone any thoughts on how to easily drill these holes? Is there any fear that the stone would split when drilled? Other option would be to put timber posts behind piers and hang the gates on these or would it be better to put a spud in the ground and one hanger at the top?
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
AleoN

 

[mathepac]

Are they single-piece piers or stone and mortar? Are you using a hammer-action drill with masonry bits?

Start with a small diameter bit and work up.

 

[Sconhome]

Will need a diamond tipped bit for stone. Normally brackets built into the piers and permanently fixed by filling the pier with concrete before capping or welded to an inner steel beam. Otherwise the weight of the gate can pull your top fixing out.

 

[builder ed]

I've seen a local Engineering Company hang Wrought Iron Gates by welding a length of threaded bar to the plate, bore a hole right through to the back of the pier with a special 3ft long drill bit and put a bolt and washer on the threaded bar. This method is fairly standard practice for retro fitting of gates.

 

[dinjoecurry]

if you do decide to drill start with a small diameter bit and work up in stages this method makes drilling much easier in my experience