Drill Bits

[inkjet]

sako said:

I use my sds 5mm & 5.5mm to drill the lot conny catnik
wood had the same drill bit for a year just drill n plug no probs :)Use hss on plastic.

I have had some success at smashing Catnic Lintels with my SDS,

But have found if I try it on a solid steel type lintel, not a techy it makes a large hole in the plaster and fails to go through the lintel.

It could be I chicken out, as I did at one time think this could be the answer

[gordon]

Greenpesto,

I am thinking of buying a Bosch (either 9.6v @ £75 or 12v at £100) from Screwfix - they seem to have a 3 year warranty so maybe they have improved? I gave up buying B&D some time ago, as the last couple I bought were rubbish. I have heard that De Walt are made by B & D in the UK, so have steered clear of these too, - also very expensive.

[Blind Scout]

I have seen the add for that double headed drill, but it seemed to be big, heavy and unweildy. Screwfix do a flip driver, that has a screw bit one end and and drill at the other, both replaceable, and a lot lighter.

Screwfix (by the way, bought over by B&Q), also do a right angled driver, locks into your drill, but the head has to be held against rotation. It takes only hex driven screw bits or drills. I find it a bit cumbersome, but used it yesterday to put a ROB bkt in between a wall and the boiler, a space about 8cm, and it is very fiddly.

I gave up with B&D as quality deterriated, but then again they are designed only for 10 hours use. I bought an ELU 9.4v about 8 years ago, professional B&D, and found it hopeless into concrete, not fast enough, although it was fine in steel lintels, or PVC/Al greenhouses. It had hammer, torque and reversable, and very light to use. Alas, batterys and trigger failed and I urgently needed a replacement.

Went to local B&Q, and tried out a lot of drills, for weight, size, manouvreability, and settlerd on a Bosch PSR1440, 14v4, reversable, torque, varied speed, no hammer, but as I use a Boosch mains drill for concrete, it wasn't really necessary. It came with 2 batteries, but was a 3 hour charge. Stack of them on a wwheely cage, with other Bosch products and priced at 35.93. That will do nicly says I, and took to checkout. Assistant scans through, and says thank you sir, that will be 59.95. Pardon says I....

Transpires price on cage was for the 9v version of the same drill, if you read the lable closely, and B&Q couild have appologised as genuine mistake, the lable was correct, wrong product above, but B&Q let me have it for the lower price. Should have gone back for a spare. One battery is usually enough for a days work fixing and it is well balanced for use. I wouldn't recommend any battery drill under 14v though.

[puskas]

I have used a Bosch 18v rechargable for 2 years use it on concrete heads as well. I use a 5mm bosch multi purpose ( best bit I have ever used£2.50)bit from Screwfix and the smaller yellow plugs, I find it works better for me as sometimes if you drilling near the edge of a lintel a large hole can crack the plaster.
Regarding drilling into concrete heads I have read that this is not recommended as it can weaken the lintel
and cause stuctural problems ?

[gloryboy]

are screwfix much cheaper then?

i just get b&d pirhanna 5mm concrete and 4mm hss they last plenty.


just got b&d hammer corded and 14v cordless never had any problems getting through anything. am thinking of changing as both are on their last legs after 3yrs solid use!

[greenpesto]

Gloryboy! Yes Screwfix are very good price wise, just order over £45 for free delivery.

Gordon! Bosch do two identical 9.6v drills. One has a FREE 3 year warranty & classed as Professional use@£75'ish or non-pro @ £30 with 12 month Warranty.
(Screwfix & Argos)
I've just received my Makita 14.4v from Screwfix & on first glance seems to be a really good buy. Nice & light weight for all day use. Better out-put than the Bosch I had.
Offer @ £75 down from £120 & includes FREE accessory kit worth £45. It contains stuff I'd actually use too!!!! Ordered yesterday at 4.15 p.m. arrived 4'ish today on standard delivery. ( part no. 61609 if you want it )

Inkjet! If you go through plaster in the 'Head' & you find a cavity of 3/4" or more you should be laughing because for most blinds ( not our crappy woods ) it should be deep enough to hold your blinds with a standard 5mm Rawl plug & No.6 3/4" screw. Never had one fall down yet.!!!! Not keen on the idea of SDS drill for steel though ... Would use HSS 'drill bit'. Try Cutting/Tapping' fluid with it.

Puskas! Don't worry about Concrete lintels .... just drill slowly to start off then increase speed if you can. If an SDS drill seems too fierce then swop to a normal masonry drill which is much gentler.

[gordon]

Greenpesto,

Thanks for the info. The Makita looks good - would be interested to hear what you think of it. What sort of guarantee does it come with? I didn't see mention of that on the website.

[BlindWizard]

I use Bosch SDS mains, good stuff. Use B&D 14v rechargeable that I brought year ago when started, replaced chuck as that was rubbish, still working but wouldn't buy another.

Buy both jobber and Irwin hss from screwfix for steel lintels, can't decide which best cheaper compared to last longer.

Good thread, interesting to hear what others do and nice to get away from the moans.

[niceday4selinblind]

My drill / driver is from Lidle its 18 volt with a 1400rpm
drills through conservatory sides easily

I use a Dewalt sds for concrete lintels it is so easy
can do it one handed allowing me to hold hoover noozle in other hand

WD40 is a spray that evaporates quickly and leaves a slightly sticky residue behind
possibly leaving blind more difficult to use later
Silicone spray leaves a non sticky coating on surface making it very easy to glide

The drill bit you use is as important as the drill
drilling concrete with a jobber drill will blunt it straight away so if there is concrete
behind the steel lintel try and stop as soon as you go through and then use an old
drill bit to finish off hole as for speed the fater you go the hotter the drill bit gets
the sooner it goes blunt but the speed is relevant to drill bit size
3mm drill bit should be at 1400rpm / 5mm drill bit at about 900rpm

[greenpesto]

Gordon!
Have used Makita for first time today ... must say I have been very impressed so far!!!!!
Nice balance to it.
12 month warranty which all I ever take. Most extended warranties aren't worth the paper they are written on.

[YOYO]

Hello guys, why dont you ask Hillarys for some silicone spray i did ! and got two cans cheaper than screw fix and halfords. they also got drill bits....... 3.2HSS 5/32HSS 3.5HSS ask one of the girls when you next get through ..