Drill Bit

[amexee]

Any builder types out there who can help me redeem myself.

I have attempted to put up a curtain pole and the brackets are coming away from the wall. I destroyed 3 drill bits trying to go into the concrete lintel and eventually went with the (try a shorter screw) option.

Anyone tell me what brand of drill bit will win this war, I was using Bosch.

TIA

 

[Uncle Buck]

If you need Bosch Drill bits, I have a variety of what is classed as written off stock...

 

[gazingdown]

You are using plugs in the hole for the screws, right?

To drill into concrete, you need to use a masonry drill bit.

 

[narly101]

Are you sure you were using masonry drill bits?

 

[spongy]

I wouldn't try drilling into the lintel either. Move up 4-6 inches and it makes your life a whole load easier.

*unless you've already cut your curtains to length obviously.

You need a masonry bit.

 

[banjo]

make sure you're using the correct raw plugs.

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

 

[beorhthelm]

for concrete you'll want a decent hammer drill otherwise your just heating the drill bit against the friction. consider puting up a bit of battening so you never have to do this again (easy to redrill). maybe able to stretch past the concrete too.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Have masonry drill bits available...

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Isn't [MENTION=6886]Bozza[/MENTION] an expert in drilling holes into walls

 

[happypig]

Use an SDS drill. My Mrs has a bosch cordless that goes through concrete "Like a knife through butter". My cordless makita just makes a lot of noise and wobbles.
For occasional use, one of these fellers will do you ok : http://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-z1c-hw-3007-5kg-sds-plus-hammer-drill-240v/41057

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

For curtain poles I attach a wooden baton to the wall - and then the curtain brackets to that. Much more forgiving.

(my wife would laugh at the thought of me giving DIY tips).

 

[Prince Monolulu]

 

[skipper734]

You need an impact drill with SDS bits to drill into concrete and concrete lintels, don't even bother with anything less. A decent twist drill bit will do for steel lintels, same for wooden ones.

 

[amexee]

Thanks for all the advice. I was using masonry bits in a makita drill, and rawl plugs but not a hammer drill. The drill bits got very hot and the front edges just wore off! I will check the length of the curtains and see if I can go higher, if not i will try a hammer drill.

 

[El Sid]

for concrete you'll want a decent hammer drill otherwise your just heating the drill bit against the friction. consider puting up a bit of battening so you never have to do this again (easy to redrill). maybe able to stretch past the concrete too.

But don't you have to drill holes for the batten....

 

[Mr Bridger]

For curtain poles I attach a wooden baton to the wall - and then the curtain brackets to that. Much more forgiving.

(my wife would laugh at the thought of me giving DIY tips).

Is the correct answer.
better off with a length of skirting and put some 'grip fill' or 'sticks like sh!t' on the reverse for extras.

 

[goldstone68]

Treat yourself to a SDS rotary hammer drill, is the best advice

 

[spence]

For curtain poles I attach a wooden baton to the wall - and then the curtain brackets to that. Much more forgiving.

(my wife would laugh at the thought of me giving DIY tips).

Best advice this

 

[Fungus]

For curtain poles I attach a wooden baton to the wall - and then the curtain brackets to that. Much more forgiving.

(my wife would laugh at the thought of me giving DIY tips).

Very much this. When I moved to a house with hollow walls, I was SO glad the previous owners had put wooden battens up. Five-minute job to screw the poles to the batten.

Now, you do know how to put up wooden battens, don't you?

 

[BN9 BHA]

For curtain poles I attach a wooden baton to the wall - and then the curtain brackets to that. Much more forgiving.

(my wife would laugh at the thought of me giving DIY tips).

Another shout for this.

I did paint the baton first before fixing it to the wall.
I also used Gripfill ( no nails ) * as well as screws/ plugs to fix the baton.

* Other brands are available