Drilling in though metal?

Question

I am drilling some holes in a wall to fix some shelves but have found metal which I believe is used for the construction of the walls (to hold conrete together). I am using a 500 W 2.5A Black and Decker drill with a 6" bit for use on metal but am having problems getting through. Is my drill strong enough or do i need a more powerful drill? Would love any help.

Chris

I am drilling some holes in a wall to fix some shelves but have found metal which I believe is used for the construction of the walls (to hold conrete together). I am using a 500 W 2.5A Black and Decker drill with a 6" bit for use on metal but am having problems getting through. Is my drill strong enough or do i need a more powerful drill? Would love any help.

PS: Am using a bit for concrete to get through concrete and then a metal bit once i hit the metal. Thats where I get stuck.

Answer 1

You should be very careful about what you are drilling through..it could be re bar or it could be a sewer vent pipe or water line! Re bar is usually about 1/2 inch around so if you can move the holes a bit you should miss it. When drilling through concrete is is far better to use a masonry bit than a metal bit which is probably ruined by now.

Answer 2

Move over up or down, what ever it takes to get off the metal. I doubt you have a drill that will bore the metal you are hitting, and your drill motor is light. Before its over you will have ruined several drill and burned up your drill motor. And most likely will not be any better off than you are now.

Answer 3

Are you talking about rebar in the concrete? If so its going to be very tough to drill through that. If your using a metal bit to go through your concrete wall, then its got to be very dull. As long as your drill isn't lagging like a cordless with no battery left, it will work.

Answer 4

You have 3 good points already. It is probably rebar. try a harder drill bit, like carbide or titanium nitride (TiN) coated bits, (available at a good hdw. store ), Carbide tipped being the hardest, and therefore the best for hard materials, also, it is imperative when drilling metal to use a good cutting fluid, I reccomend Rapid - Tap, or Tap Magic.The drill motor you have should be plenty powerful. the real secret is sharp bits and cutting fluid. Rebar is hard, and full of carbon and hard oxides. hard to drill, and very hard on saw blades. best of luck

Answer 5

try some cutting oil/fluid...........be sure to keep a sharp bit in your drill...........if this doesn't help.......go for more power..........if that doesn't help......get a hammer drill.!