Decent drill bits

[whiterabbit]

Having spent nearly an hour trying to fit a large vertical into a metal lintel and broken numerous drill bits in the process, I thought I would try asking all you "old hands" out there to recommend a decent brand of HSS drill bit???

What's the best self-tapper to use also? I've had numerous screws snap when I fit into metal which is a right pain. The screws Hillarys supply us with are usually too small for these jobs and I'm obviously buying crap from B&Q or Screwfix.

[phugly]

Try www.datapowertools.co.uk/ and ask for their cobalt bits

[blindmansam]

whiterabbit said:

Having spent nearly an hour trying to fit a large vertical into a metal lintel and broken numerous drill bits in the process, I thought I would try asking all you "old hands" out there to recommend a decent brand of HSS drill bit???

What's the best self-tapper to use also? I've had numerous screws snap when I fit into metal which is a right pain. The screws Hillarys supply us with are usually too small for these jobs and I'm obviously buying crap from B&Q or Screwfix.

Try screws made from brass ! I do , and they seem more 'pliable' when screwing in to metal !

If you have major problems getting into the metal try this .....
1) drill a 3mm hole in to the plaster until you hit the metal
2) Remove drill and note if your hole is over 1cm deep
3) Cut the pointed end off a 'red' rawlplug , about 2 thirds down.
4) Whack the 'short' rawlplug section in to the drilled hole , use hammer as it MUST be a tight fit
5) If the rawlpug is still 'proud' of the suface , use a hammer on a stanley knife to cut it level.
6) Use a 'small' standard screw , with the top fit 'clip'.
7) Ensure the tightness of the bracket .
8) Fit Extra couple of brackets to ensure -NO D/O/R !


This way you will SAVE on drill bits , and have a job done quicker.

The Art here is to make it a TIGHT fit , I have very few call backs using this method , IF i CAN NOT drill into the METAL.

This process can work on venetians (Not Wooden - Too Heavy!) and rollers.

OK some one will find fault with this method , but it can work PERFECTLY !


Hope this helps.

[RhinoNeil]

I also use the same method as Blindsmansam..works fine and never get any coming down as long as its not a heavy blind like wooden venetian...If anytime I have to drill into the steel, I use a 3mm hss bit...the trick is to wet the end of the bit with some saliva to lubricate the drill bit which makes drilling easier, then when self tapping, I use a 1" 6 guage screw, also lubricate the screw point in the same way to make it easier to self tap into the steel....I got this tip from an engineering friend of mine...works fine for me.

[Blind Scout]

lapland said:

I also use the same method as Blindsmansam..works fine and never get any coming down as long as its not a heavy blind like wooden venetian...If anytime I have to drill into the steel, I use a 3mm hss bit...the trick is to wet the end of the bit with some saliva to lubricate the drill bit which makes drilling easier, then when self tapping, I use a 1" 6 guage screw, also lubricate the screw point in the same way to make it easier to self tap into the steel....I got this tip from an engineering friend of mine...works fine for me.

Must try the shorter plug method, but always concerned that the plasterboard alone, wouldn't take the weight. As for drills, have used Screwfix own brands but generally poor quality, so I use Unwinds branded, that are not that much dearer. As to size. a No 6 screw needs a 1/8" drill that equates to a 3.2mm. However, I find that for most of the screws supplied by Hillarys are from a cheaper supplier, especially the ones supplied with Venetian blinds, I can get away with 3mm. If face fixing into conservatories, which are usually aluminium, a 2.5mm normally works. Start with a smaller drill, you can always make it bigger, but you can't make a bigger hole smaller.

Cooling HSS drills is necessary otherwise they dull very quickly, 6-8 holes for a 3mm drill. You can also try using petrolium jelly sticks a bit better than split and increases theirn life a bit longer.

[royt]

some lazy bugger agents that work round here 5" face every single vert and get away with it...I will always top fix as looks nicer but this year have been reverse rolling every roller and fitting to the window....saved me hours

[royt]

51% of scottish people want independance from the uk...and 59% of uk citizens want them to go it alone so if we let them go it alone we could drop 3 for 99

[greenpesto]

I've had no problems with Screwfix HSS drill bits. I buy in 50's or 100's & each one lasts ages.
The trick is to has a fast electric drill of 650W or above.
Stubborn lintels need a dab of 'cutting & tapping' grease from a can on the end of the drill tip.
Most breakages are from putting too much pressure onto the bits.

Try 2.5mm for PVC-U
3mm for cons roof bars & soft steel lintels
3.2mm for lintels when using No. 7 screws
3.5mm for use when using No. 8 screws ( those supplied with verts ).
Shallow fitting works fine as blindmansam says too!

Face fit wherever you can though & save time whilst keeping clean & dust free.

[unclehillary]

royt said:

51% of scottish people want independance from the uk...and 59% of uk citizens want them to go it alone so if we let them go it alone we could drop 3 for 99

In your jest young man you are not far away from next years plans for this company ,a new two tier price system like Albany blinds .At presant we have north \ south price lists but.......................the new system changes promotion activity to 4for99 up there and normal south of leeds

[Blind Scout]

royt said:

51% of scottish people want independance from the uk...and 59% of uk citizens want them to go it alone so if we let them go it alone we could drop 3 for 99

Just remember that the last round of Hillarys propaganda, opps sorry - management seminars, Scotland showed the highest growth area of the country. So remember that when the Christmas bonuses are given out . <sfx>cough splutter cough. </sfx>

[grumperbear]

l thought it was North, South and then London prices.

[Blind Scout]

Our price lists are marked Nov 06/Scot, So it looks as if Scotland have there own prices.

[Bear]

Can you imagine working for a Company which has just over 600 employees and which has the following statistics listed on their individual records:---

29 have been accused of spouse abuse

59 have fathered children out of wedlock

7 have been arrested for fraud

19 have been accused of writing bad cheques

117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted businesses

3 have done time for common assault

71 cannot get a credit card due to poor credit rating

14 have been arrested on drugs-related charges

8 have been arrested for shop-lifting

21 are currently listed as defendents in law-suits.

24 have been arrested for drink-driving offences since 1 January 2006.

9 have faced charges or have charges pending for lewd behaviour, or for engaging in homosexual acts in a public place

What organisation is this you might ask??

NOT YOUR EMPLOYER, STRANGELY!!!

Its the 635 Members of the House of Commons, the same crew who crank out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line.
Need I remind you they also sent our lads into Iraq and Afghanistan, where weekly returns on bullets used are now required for MOD statistics. If your patrol gets caught in a fire-fight too often the leader, if still alive, has to account on paper as to why his troop used more ammunition than another who did not get ambushed by the "fuzzies"!

These statistics come from an impeccable source and are subject to suppression by the Thought Police, as they have never been collated together before.
The Press ( Free??) cannot publish this list as it is controlled under a D Notice ( allegedly) though it is widespread on Services Forums.

And we thought the people who control us were "iffy"--Hummmm!


Bear

[Dean]

isabella said:

Our price lists are marked Nov 06/Scot, So it looks as if Scotland have there own prices.

There are 7 different price areas. 8 if you count London and London2.