Drilling through red bricks

Mango Joe

This is redbrick not inch-thick titanium plate.

Any homeowner with the usual few drill bits and a half decent drill should be able to manage drilling into some redbrick without having to go shopping for an expensive SDS drill and bits they will most likely never use again.

My guess is that the drill bit which although it looks to be in reasonable shape isn't that sharp and its spinning in the holes generating heat and making the problem worse. You can get a smooth bowl shape at the pit of the hole where the heat melts the redbrick and you get an almost ceramic like surface - I'm no materials scientist but I suspect its silicas in the material that melt and do this.

Buy 2 new bits for a tenner - they'll be used in time anyhow so no harm to have spares.

Then perhaps first try to first drill the holes using a smaller masonry drill bit - Chances are it's one in the set you've never used before as its an odd size and it will be sharper.

Usually then you'll be seconds widening the hole with the correct sized bit.

Also try and drill in shortish productive bursts - where you're seeing dust come out and then pause for a bit to allow the drill bit to cool.

PS As another poster mentioned above - This unit will be habitually pulled in multiple directions for the duration of its existence - Definitely consider buying heavier screws and rawl plugs (= a larger drill bit too!) than the lads in China threw into the box - They won't give 2 ****'s when its hanging sideways off your back wall !!!

witnessmenow

Mango Joe wrote: »

This is redbrick not inch-thick titanium plate.

Any homeowner with the usual few drill bits and a half decent drill should be able to manage drilling into some redbrick without having to go shopping for an expensive SDS drill and bits they will most likely never use again.

My guess is that the drill bit which although it looks to be in reasonable shape isn't that sharp and its spinning in the holes generating heat and making the problem worse. You can get a smooth bowl shape at the pit of the hole where the heat melts the redbrick and you get an almost ceramic like surface - I'm no materials scientist but I suspect its silicas in the material that melt and do this.

Buy 2 new bits for a tenner - they'll be used in time anyhow so no harm to have spares.

Then perhaps first try to first drill the holes using a smaller masonry drill bit - Chances are it's one in the set you've never used before as its an odd size and it will be sharper.

Usually then you'll be seconds widening the hole with the correct sized bit.

Also try and drill in shortish productive bursts - where you're seeing dust come out and then pause for a bit to allow the drill bit to cool.

PS As another poster mentioned above - This unit will be habitually pulled in multiple directions for the duration of its existence - Definitely consider buying heavier screws and rawl plugs (= a larger drill bit too!) than the lads in China threw into the box - They won't give 2 ****'s when its hanging sideways off your back wall !!!

I do think there is something strange that the redbrick is being so stubborn, and probably should drill fine with any hammer drill, I'm not sure I agree with the anti SDS stance though.

I would consider myself an average DIYer (at best!) and I would not be without an SDS drill. I was using a cheap mains one from Aldi for a long time (think it was E50) but recently moved to a Worx cordless one (was 75 GBP from amazon, without batteries though) and its done a power of work since we got it. Bits for it are pretty cheap from building providers (E2 or E3 for standard sized ones)

looksee

witnessmenow wrote: »

I do think there is something strange that the redbrick is being so stubborn, and probably should drill fine with any hammer drill, I'm not sure I agree with the anti SDS stance though.

I would consider myself an average DIYer (at best!) and I would not be without an SDS drill. I was using a cheap mains one from Aldi for a long time (think it was E50) but recently moved to a Worx cordless one (was 75 GBP from amazon, without batteries though) and its done a power of work since we got it. Bits for it are pretty cheap from building providers (E2 or E3 for standard sized ones)

I don't think anyone is anti SDS - I may get around to getting one for myself eventually, its the idea that anyone would go out and buy a new drill as the first response to a problem bit of drilling.

loyatemu

looksee wrote: »

I don't think anyone is anti SDS - I may get around to getting one for myself eventually, its the idea that anyone would go out and buy a new drill as the first response to a problem bit of drilling.

this is the DIY forum, of course the first and best solution is more tools!

10-10-20

Back on pointe, I was wondering if the OP could have hit wall-ties, but the holes near the mortar and you shouldn't hit them twice in 5cm.
OP, at the risk of making swiss-cheese out of your wall, what happens if you drill the mortar?
To fix the mortar afterwards, just use a mix of sand:cement at 5:1 to make up a filler. Press-in and smooth-off.

witnessmenow

looksee wrote: »

I don't think anyone is anti SDS - I may get around to getting one for myself eventually, its the idea that anyone would go out and buy a new drill as the first response to a problem bit of drilling.

I could be wrong (see my comment about average DIYer at best) but I believe it is the right tool for the job though. I don't think there is any harm suggesting that there is a better tool. Maybe overkill to get a new drill for only two holes, but just making the point that I wouldn't be without one at this stage and also responding the point that the bits are expensive (the drill is obviously a bit of an outlay though)

I must admit though, I saw the op and the first couple of posts, and I also saw the post I replied to, I did not read all the thread in between where it seems like my point was already made multiple times!

chewed

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice. I went out and bought a new set of SDS masonry bits and managed to get the 4 holes drilled. I also wore down 3 drill bits in the process with brute force!

Dr Turk Turkelton

You shouldn't have worn out 3 drill bits drilling those bricks. This is what they look like from the top. The 3 holes would have mortar in them from building them.

NewClareman

chewed wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice. I went out and bought a new set of SDS masonry bits and managed to get the 4 holes drilled. I also wore down 3 drill bits in the process with brute force!

I'm glad it worked out for you. What kind of dust did you get, when you hit the hard part?

Pete123456

Can I ask is it reasonable to consider trying to drill a hole through facing brick and the 4 inch block behind it at a 45 degree angle or steeper? Or is this too much hardship? Wouldn’t be any bigger than about 10mm to run a cat 5e cable up the cavity. I have a lend of an sds drill and bits.

Should I start with a smaller bit first?

greasepalm

Pilot hole can be handy as less stress on drill.

fred funk }{

chewed wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice. I went out and bought a new set of SDS masonry bits and managed to get the 4 holes drilled. I also wore down 3 drill bits in the process with brute force!

There's something very wrong with this. As part of my work I've been drilling holes into all sorts or masonry with all sorts or drills for 25 years.

Those bricks aren't difficult to drill into even with a basic DIY non-sds drill.

I suspect your drill wasn't on the masonry setting so was just spinning the bit in the brick, this would explain the bits burning out. I also, suspect you bought SDS bits but put them into a non-SDS drill.

rob316

OP keep a look out in lidl for a corded sds drill for future jobs. They are about 30 quid and will breeze through any wall.

I just took a look at the OPs picture again.
I didn't realize that there was more at the bottom of the pics,
You need to scroll down to see it.

listermint

Exposed !! :P