Sandstone - Drilling

[hendrix1957]

Hi all, I have just had a new patio laid in mint fossil 560mm x 800mm sandstone slabs. Patio has been laid on a full mortar bed. I have bought an old-fashioned type lamppost to illuminate at night and it looks like it will need bolting on. Is it safe to drill these slabs (ie are they likely to crack) and has anybody tried? Is there any preferred method or should I just get out my hammer drill and go for it?!!
Any info would be extremely useful.
Keith

[IanMelb]

Were there no offcuts left that you could practice on?

[lutonlagerlout]

cant you erect the light out side the patio area?
you can drill them but dont forget they are riven so your lamp may end up skew-whiff
if you do drill start with a 6 mm drill and work upwards
but i really wouldnt recommend it
cheers LLL

[Rich H]

And make sure you have good quality masonry bits and not DIY own brand rubbish. Don't have the drill on hammer setting and take your time.

Just finished a job where the client insisted on having his dryer installed in the middle of a slab (amongst other tribulations) and had to use a diamond corer very very carefully. Did it on a cut first (I had 25 sq.m of cut waste!!!)

[hendrix1957]

You can see I'm a newbie at this paving game.
Thanks for help. I shall try some off-cuts and see how we go from there.
If I go for it I'll let everyone know how I got on.
Keith

[lutonlagerlout]

i had to drill some sandstone today for a water feature,used a 6mm masonry bit first,then 10 ,then 16 mm all on hammer no problem
i made a bit of a pilot but using the drill on spin first then put it on hammer
good luck
LLL