Struggling to drill into wall

simondyntDBeK · 3 Sep 2021

I'm need to drill some 12mm x 40mm holes into an old Welsh cottage wall (which I'm guessing is made of old Welsh rocks!) but really struggling. I'm fitting climbing holds to make a climbing wall!

I bought a nice new drill bit but it's not having it. Any tips? Maybe my crappy old drill isn't up to the job?

Cheers!

Harry Bloomfield · 3 Sep 2021

You need an SDS+ drill plus SDS+ 12mm drill bit, for best effect.

With a basic hammer drill, then you need to start with smaller pilot bits and work up to 12mm.

simondyntDBeK · 3 Sep 2021

Harry Bloomfield said:
You need an SDS+ drill plus SDS+ 12mm drill bit, for best effect.

With a basic hammer drill, then you need to start with smaller pilot bits and work up to 12mm.

Ah ok - I've got 20+ to do! Reckon I can hire an SDS+ drill from a hire place?

Harry Bloomfield · 3 Sep 2021

simondyntDBeK said:
Ah ok - I've got 20+ to do! Reckon I can hire an SDS+ drill from a hire place?

You could, but it might cost as much as buying a cheap sds from the likes of Aldi / Lidl.

JP_ · 3 Sep 2021

I bought a JCB SDS drill for about £60 from B&Q, happy with it so far. Can't seem to find them on the website though.

Had a Katsu (about £40 on Amazon) but it died pretty quick.

mrrusty · 3 Sep 2021

This. https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-tt...s-drill-22-piece-accessory-kit-230-240v/4172g

It's cheap and a bit of a heavy beast, but has a heavy hammer and a set of bits etc which whilst not great quality are certainly serviceable. Had mine a few years now and it's been well used, mainly as a breaker, but when I need to drill something very hard it seems to eat holes quicker than my lighter bosch SDS.

Usual screwfix no questions 2 year warranty. What's not to like...

stuart45 · 3 Sep 2021

I've got the same drills, and the Titan is a lot better on a hard stone like Chert.

bernardgreen · 3 Sep 2021

I c

mrrusty said:
This. https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-tt...s-drill-22-piece-accessory-kit-230-240v/4172g

I have had one for those for about 10 years, it is a very good tool,

simondyntDBeK · 3 Sep 2021

Thanks everyone. I'll head to Screwfix tomorrow and grab one of those. This is becoming an expensive vanity project

cdbe · 3 Sep 2021

I don't understand why JCB sold their name to those cheap drills.

To the op, as already advised, start with smaller (5/6mm) bits first. If you buy an SDS you'll have to buy new bits as they're not compatible with what you've already got.

mikeey84 · 3 Sep 2021

Whilst the SDS bits you get with the Titan drill are OK, if you still struggle I recommend the Dewalt Extreme range

Alec_t · 3 Sep 2021

Some Welsh walls can be what seems to be just random rocks held together with mud/cow-dung. Hope yours are more secure than that !

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Struggling to drill into wall

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