Drilling into brick

Lally

I am trying to put up a curtain pole but can't even drill the hole. I have an old house and the walls between rooms are even made of brick, and this is the window wall (the inside part of the external wll) that I am trying to drill.

I first used a masonry drill bit, but the hole wasn't deep enough. I then tried the others to see if any of them would work, but no. The hole is just short of an inch and I need it t be at least an inch and a half.

I've got 6 holes to drill and I can't even get one done! I tried the Bosch drill first then the Black & Decker. They don't have hammer action, is that what I need?

Thorntonone

in short the answer is yes you will need a hammer action for bricks

Lorian

And if you get really unlucky you might be drilling into a concrete lintel or RSJ too.

You won't get anywhere without hammer action (other than throught the plaster, like you have).

wallbash

If its a concrete lintel , you might be successful with a hammer action drill , with a good drill bit. If its even harder , SDS drill should work , But I have had lintels that beat ALL drills.
Of course a metal lintil does not require a hammer action

You could put up a wooden baton ( longer than the lintel )


PS I hate curtain rails!

andrew-b

You need to identify the material the lintel above the window is made of. For concrete you'll need a drill with hammer action and a masonry bit. For steel you'll need a standard drill with HSS drill bit. For wood you'll need a standard drill with wood or HSS drill bit (either will work). If you try drilling a wooden lintel with masonry drill bit you won't get far but there should be a smell like burning wood. Alternatively stick a baton to the wall - maybe using No Nails if you can't extend past the ends of the lintel.


Andy

ormus

read me recent thread about a concrete panel, council flat.
i had to buy a SDS drill (from screwfix) to do it. my 2 hammer drills wouldnt touch it.
for a curtain pole or track, you may get away with a wood batten first. and just screw at the ends.
then fix the pole to the batten.

Lally

Curtain battens may be the way to go then, I think I will post on MyBuilder to see if anyone can do it for me as I have 5 windows to do and it looks like it will be too hard for me. Many thanks.

ormus

if you live in the manchester area, i will come and drill the holes for you.
pm me if required.

economiser

What does SDS stand for? Are SDS drills the same as percussion drills? If not what is the difference?