What size drill bit?

[wedge69]

Hello,

I have to hang a blind, which has come with screws and plugs. However, whenever I drill, I never know what size drill bit to use. I always end up using one that is too small and have to do it again.

Is there a good way of knowing which size to use?

Cheers

 

[Burnerman]

Often the drill size is printed on the plug, sometimes its done by colour....its not a bad idea to start off small anyway - that way, the drill wanders less and if the wall is soft you need the plug to be a tight fit.
For jobs like this, I generalise on 6mm stuff usually and prefer the Fischer make.
John

 

[MrTinker]

I never use the plugs supplied, as they are usually the cheapest most useless plugs available. My favorites are the rawl uno plugs.

As Burnerman says colour is often used to identify size;

Yellow=5mm
Red=6mm
Brown=7mm
Blue=8mm

 

[keenedge]

Best I've seen is Alligator fixings, use same size drill as the plug, drill the hole twice the length of the plug and this will out-hold mechanical, chemical and epoxy anchors.

 

[Monkeh]

I never use the plugs supplied, as they are usually the cheapest most useless plugs available. My favorites are the rawl uno plugs.

As Burnerman says colour is often used to identify size;

Yellow=5mm
Red=6mm
Brown=7mm
Blue=8mm

Red is 5.5mm, not 6. Some companies make slightly larger ones which will actually work in a 6mm hole, but you should still use a 5.5mm bit for a proper hold.

 

[MrTinker]

I never use the plugs supplied, as they are usually the cheapest most useless plugs available. My favorites are the rawl uno plugs.

As Burnerman says colour is often used to identify size;

Yellow=5mm
Red=6mm
Brown=7mm
Blue=8mm

Red is 5.5mm, not 6. Some companies make slightly larger ones which will actually work in a 6mm hole, but you should still use a 5.5mm bit for a proper hold.

Erm No
Both Rawlplug and Fischer red plugs require a 6mm hole! maybe with some cheepo ones you need to use a 5.5mm hole to stop them falling out!

 

[Monkeh]

I never use the plugs supplied, as they are usually the cheapest most useless plugs available. My favorites are the rawl uno plugs.

As Burnerman says colour is often used to identify size;

Yellow=5mm
Red=6mm
Brown=7mm
Blue=8mm

Red is 5.5mm, not 6. Some companies make slightly larger ones which will actually work in a 6mm hole, but you should still use a 5.5mm bit for a proper hold.

Erm No
Both Rawlplug and Fischer red plugs require a 6mm hole! maybe with some cheepo ones you need to use a 5.5mm hole to stop them falling out!

Those are the companies I'm talking about. Red plugs were always 5.5mm except in brittle materials.

http://www.rawlplug.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=95&Itemid=34

5.5mm.

If the plug does not state which drill size to use, you use 5.5mm for red plugs.

 

[foxhole]

Ooooh I only have grey plugs.

 

[MrTinker]

Those are the cheepo ones though. and it says 5.5mm or 6mm

http://www.rawlplug.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103&Itemid=34

These won't fit in a 5.5mm hole!

 

[Monkeh]

Those are the cheepo ones though. and it says 5.5mm or 6mm

http://www.rawlplug.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103&Itemid=34

These won't fit in a 5.5mm hole!

Yes they will. I use them in 5.5mm holes with 4mm screws. I only use a 6mm bit if I'm close to the edge of a brick/block or using a larger screw.

 

[MrTinker]

Ooooh I only have grey plugs.

If they are decent plugs the grey ones have the size stamped on them.

You could find an old brick and drill different size holes in it and see which hole the plug fits nicely in.

 

[TheGayOwl]

I always try to use Fischer plugs, generally these red uns: http://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-p...00/41044#product_additional_details_container

I am under the impression they are designed for 6mm holes but I always use a 5.5mm bit as you are less likely to have the plugs refusing to grip properly. So I am with Monkeh and Tinker on this one!

But as Tinker says. OP throw away screws/plugs supplied with most things you buy as they are invariably carp.

 

[misterhelpful]

My favorites are the rawl uno plugs.

Great call!
I stocked up on them last year when B&Q were selling a mixture of 200 red, brown and blue ones for £1.99 per pack with the correct size drill bits free. Bought 5 packs but they're so good I wish I'd bought 50 now - nearly all gone.