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#520303 - Sun Apr 18 2010 10:26 AM Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	Many years ago I put up masses of shelves and had no problems drilling holes in the walls but I am trying to drill some holes now and not getting very far. The only difference that I can see is that I used to use a corded drill and now I am using a cordless. I am using the hammer setting and a tungsten tipped drill bit. I am getting about half an inch in and no further. Is it that I am getting weak and feeble or am I being impatient? Before anyone asked, yes I have used a sensor to test for wires and pipes. I think the wall concerned used to be the inside of an external wall, if that makes sense. I want to drill about 25 holes, this side of Christmas if possible! _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#520304 - Mon Apr 19 2010 10:05 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
SilverMoonsong Moderator Registered: Sun Nov 07 1999 Posts: 3989 Loc: Durham, North Carolina USA	What is the wall made of? You mention you think it used to be the inside of an external wall. Is there concrete or brick on the other side? Is it possible that there might be reinforced concrete? You may find that you need a different drill bit - it shouldn't make a difference using a cordless drill, it's the bit that makes the biggest difference, usually (unless you bought a very cheap drill, the average non-professional cordless drill should be sufficient). _________________________ Forum Moderator: Useful Tips & Tricks, Movies & Television, Music Cellar Senior Crossword Editor
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#520305 - Mon Apr 19 2010 10:59 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	It wasn't a cheap drill for sure. I have tried with masonry bits and now have put out a call to a professional, my window cleaner! He is by trade a carpenter so I have asked if either he can do it or recommend a man who can. I went and popped a letter through his door today so hope that he isn't off the island! _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#520306 - Mon Apr 19 2010 11:01 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
fjohn Multiloquent Registered: Mon Dec 06 1999 Posts: 2742 Loc: Wyoming USA Way Out West	Drill into the wall as far as the bit will go, then slowly remove the bit and examine the material left on the tip. Concrete should be obvious, as well as brick. _________________________ Some days it just doesn't seem worth trying to chew through the restraints.
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#520307 - Mon Apr 19 2010 06:47 PM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
ren33 Moderator Registered: Thu Sep 30 1999 Posts: 12593 Loc: Kowloon Tong Hong Kong	Quote: I have asked if either he can do it or recommend a man who can. I went and popped a letter through his door today so hope that he isn't off the island! There! I said you should get a little man! _________________________ Wandering aimlessly through FT since 1999.
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#520308 - Mon Apr 19 2010 08:44 PM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
jpman123 Participant Registered: Sun Apr 11 2010 Posts: 5 Loc: Florida USA	Not knowing what will be hung on the wall, weight wise, an 1" - 1.5" is plenty deep enough to support quite a bit of weight. If you install an anchor sleeve first, you shouldn't have an issue with pullout. Hope this helps.
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#520309 - Mon Apr 19 2010 10:29 PM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
SilverMoonsong Moderator Registered: Sun Nov 07 1999 Posts: 3989 Loc: Durham, North Carolina USA	Quote: Not knowing what will be hung on the wall, weight wise, an 1" - 1.5" is plenty deep enough to support quite a bit of weight. If you install an anchor sleeve first, you shouldn't have an issue with pullout. Hope this helps. Since we don't know what the wall is made of, we can't tell her to use anchors. A concrete or brick wall would need a different type of anchor than drywall would. _________________________ Forum Moderator: Useful Tips & Tricks, Movies & Television, Music Cellar Senior Crossword Editor
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#520310 - Tue Apr 20 2010 01:32 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	Er, I think you use different terminology in the US to in the UK. If I could drill the holes myself then I would be using Rawlplugs which are brown in colour (denotes screw size) and are 1 3/4 inches in depth. It will almost certainly be plaster over breezeblock. _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#520311 - Tue Apr 20 2010 02:03 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
foosyerdoos Learning the ropes... Registered: Fri Jul 04 2008 Posts: 4 Loc: Aberdeen Scotland UK	I am pretty sure your problem is in using a cordless drill(not enough power). If you still have, or can borrow, a corded one you should have no problems.
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#520312 - Tue Apr 20 2010 06:07 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	Quote: I am pretty sure your problem is in using a cordless drill(not enough power). If you still have, or can borrow, a corded one you should have no problems. That apparently was the problem, the man I called in to do the job said I would have been better to have kept my corded drill. Anyway after my note to him yesterday saying "HELP!!" he phoned this morning and said he would be with me in about 20 minutes, in fact if was a little more than that but not much. An hour later he had finished and left me with all the metal batons firmly screwed into my walls, I just need to slot in the shelf supports and pop the shelves on them. I asked what the 'damage' was and he scratched his head and said, how about £15 so I told him that most people wouldn't even set foot over the doorstep for less than £50 so he said £25, so I gave him £30. He also told me off, said that I should never struggle, give him a call 'and we can always work out a price'. He is a qualified carpenter, self employed, also has a window cleaning round and has a degree in Social Sciences! He is also honest, caring and easy on the eye if you know what I mean ladies. _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#520313 - Tue Apr 20 2010 06:54 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
ren33 Moderator Registered: Thu Sep 30 1999 Posts: 12593 Loc: Kowloon Tong Hong Kong	Quote: easy on the eye if you know what I mean That's what I MEANT, silly! _________________________ Wandering aimlessly through FT since 1999.
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#520314 - Wed Apr 21 2010 09:57 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
lady1 Champion Poster Registered: Wed Jun 07 2006 Posts: 20697 Loc: Gauteng South Africa	Sara, I have told you before... Don't encourage her! _________________________ "If Life Were Easy Where Would All The Adventure Be?"
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#520315 - Wed Apr 21 2010 11:50 PM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
romeomikegolf Multiloquent Registered: Wed Apr 07 2004 Posts: 4875 Loc: Rothwell Northants England UK	Sue, there are SOME good cordless drills around, but you have to pay a lot for them.The one I used at work was a 24 volt made by Bosch. With the right drill bit it would go through 12 inches of solid concrete. Mind you, they do cost £350.00. Plasterboard and breeze block shouldn't be too much too much trouble for a drill rated at 18 volts. The right drill bit is essential. Mind you, if you've found a toy boy to do it for you then go for it _________________________ Reality is an illusion brought about by lack of alcohol Would the last person to leave the planet please turn off the lights.
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#520316 - Thu Apr 22 2010 12:55 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
ren33 Moderator Registered: Thu Sep 30 1999 Posts: 12593 Loc: Kowloon Tong Hong Kong	Quote: Mind you, if you've found a toy boy to do it for you then go for it My sentiments exactly! _________________________ Wandering aimlessly through FT since 1999.
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#520317 - Thu Apr 22 2010 01:30 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	Quote: Quote: Mind you, if you've found a toy boy to do it for you then go for it My sentiments exactly! His drill cost about £800. I think my drilling days are over. _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#520318 - Sun Apr 25 2010 01:12 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
romeomikegolf Multiloquent Registered: Wed Apr 07 2004 Posts: 4875 Loc: Rothwell Northants England UK	Sue, his drill was a professional model. You can get similar drills for much less, around £180. What you need to look for is an SDS drill. That just describes the type of quick change chuck. No chuck key needed. The drill bits aren't cheap, but they last for a very long time. Some drills come with an adaptor so you can use standard drill bits as well. Look for a cordless one that says it's quick charge. The one I used could be charged up from totally flat in 15 minutes. For an amateur model you may have to put up with a one hour charge time. _________________________ Reality is an illusion brought about by lack of alcohol Would the last person to leave the planet please turn off the lights.
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#520319 - Sun Apr 25 2010 01:44 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
Jabberwok Enthusiast Registered: Tue Jun 24 2008 Posts: 427 Loc: Sussex England UK	I just paid a lovely young man to cut my hedges. I could have done it myself, but 5'1" of middle-aged female balanced precariously on a wobbly stepladder and brandishing a trimmer seemed like a recipe for disaster. And I remembered last time... So I made tea and admiring noses whilst watching 6' of competence enjoy himself and make a neat job. Happiness all round. _________________________ 'The United Kingdom. Slightly smaller than Oregon' CIA World Factbook
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#520320 - Sun Apr 25 2010 04:45 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	I have decided to hang up my drill and accept that at 62, having had a stroke and open heart surgery that my DIY days are over, I am also 5'1". The price of a decent drill will pay for a lot of holes to be drilled if I get the urge for more shelves at some stage. _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#520321 - Tue Apr 27 2010 03:25 PM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
fjohn Multiloquent Registered: Mon Dec 06 1999 Posts: 2742 Loc: Wyoming USA Way Out West	Sue, I have always visualized you to be 5'6" or an inch taller. Maybe because it's your presence on FT is a bit larger than life. Let's have a contest for the shortest and tallest member. No contest for the heaviest and lightest. Nobody wants to admit their weight compared to their height. I'll start it off for tallest at 6'2" although I'll be outgunned by some Aussie. _________________________ Some days it just doesn't seem worth trying to chew through the restraints.
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#520322 - Tue Apr 27 2010 03:45 PM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
ozzz2002 Moderator Registered: Mon Dec 03 2001 Posts: 20907 Loc: Sydney NSW Australia	Fjohn, I will not outgun you, but I can match you. I am also 6'2", but I have met a certain Canuck that towers over me! I am also 92kgs. _________________________ The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not smashing it. Ex-Editor, Hobbies and Sports, and Forum Moderator
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#520323 - Tue Apr 27 2010 04:35 PM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
sue943 Administrator Registered: Sun Dec 19 1999 Posts: 38005 Loc: Jersey Channel Islands	A guy at the charity where I help out once a week is about 6'8", not as tall as his son who is a traffic warden - I bet people don't shout at him! _________________________ Many a child has been spoiled because you can't spank a Grandma!
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#520324 - Tue Apr 27 2010 06:57 PM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
DivineMsDRL Forum Adept Registered: Mon Jul 07 2008 Posts: 180 Loc: Okotoks Alberta Canada	I am 4' 11 3/4" _________________________ I know I'm in my own little world, but it's ok. They all know me here.
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#520325 - Tue Apr 27 2010 11:39 PM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
ren33 Moderator Registered: Thu Sep 30 1999 Posts: 12593 Loc: Kowloon Tong Hong Kong	5 foot 6- and I don't shout at you.(just call you "Shorthouse") _________________________ Wandering aimlessly through FT since 1999.
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#520326 - Wed Apr 28 2010 10:17 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
SilverMoonsong Moderator Registered: Sun Nov 07 1999 Posts: 3989 Loc: Durham, North Carolina USA	The tallest and shortest might be better done in the Lounge (even though I hate asking you not to post it in here since we don't get much traffic). _________________________ Forum Moderator: Useful Tips & Tricks, Movies & Television, Music Cellar Senior Crossword Editor
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#520327 - Thu Apr 29 2010 11:00 AM Re: Drilling holes in a wall - HELP!
fjohn Multiloquent Registered: Mon Dec 06 1999 Posts: 2742 Loc: Wyoming USA Way Out West	You are right, Lady Moon. I'll start a new post in the Lounge. _________________________ Some days it just doesn't seem worth trying to chew through the restraints.
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