Drilling holes in an internal concrete wall for wall plugs and shelves

[FluffEars]

I'm trying to hang a shelf and this will be my first shelf. I wrote earlier posts here a few days ago. I watched YouTube videos. I bought supplies.

The drill I bought is from Amazon. It's a battery drill charged by USB. It has masonry bits and a hammer mode. That's what I am using it on.

I started earlier today. Taking measurements and marking my wall.

I then began work. However I am not making much progress. I am still working on the first hole. I have the drill bit marked for the size of the wall plug. My wall plug is 3cm long and I swear it's only going in half way. This is after about an hour of drilling. Taking a break to charge the drill again and after another 20 minutes of drilling.

This is taking forever.

Surely it shouldn't take this long.

What am I doing wrong?

Should I give up for the rest of the evening?

The idea of drilling another hole doesn't appeal to me any more. This is just awful. It's taking so long. I have an envelope taped to the wall under my hole to collect dust and I am collecting dust from the drilling.

Anyone here into DIY?

Is there any life hack that will drill a hole quickly.

I just can't any more.

Also something else to add:
I need the shelves by the way because I have too much junk all over my floor and I need to pick stuff up. The shelves are needed.

I never realised it was going to take this long. Should it take this long.

Hiya sounds like your drill isn't powerful enough. A corded drill has far more power. Is there anyone you can lend one from?
Also, have you checked there's no wires or pipes where you are drilling?
YouTube will have some videos on putting up shelves, that might help too.

Battery drills usually aren’t powerful enough for concrete and some bricks.

Is there someone you could borrow a mains powered drill from for this job?

If you continue with the battery drill you run the risk of making the hole too wide for your wall plug as it will eat away at the sides of the hole rather than the depth.

You can hirea,proper masonry drill from B&Q or Jewsons.if you explain what you are doing, they will,sort out the right kit.

Concrete is terribly hard to drill, though, you might be better off with a freestanding floor based shelf unit.

I used a tool called a stud detector and I investigated the wall for a while.

Are you sure you're not trying to drill through a joist?

I don't have any floor space left so that was my plan - shelves on walls.

How do you know it's concrete? How old is your house?
Sympathies though, I was trying to put up much needed blackout blinds in our new 1940s house and had a similar problem, so frustrating.
I had a bit more experience than you, but for some reason the drill just wouldn't go in. A helpful colleague came with his hammer drill in the end but still found it tough.

This is the drill I got. How can it advertise list this and with masonry bits of it's not powerful enough for stone work?

It's an 80s build. It's my mother's house. I was small when it was being built but I do remember the concrete walls and structure. It's definitely plaster on concrete walls.

Try the next hole over before jumping to any conclusions would be my main piece of advice. And yes, I have drilled in concrete outer wall before.

@FluffEars asked my DH who is a builder. He said either your drill isn't powerful enough or you've got the bit in reverse

Thanks. I think I had it in reverse for a while but I read the instructions to the drill and I changed it. It's definitely not in reverse now.

If I was toove to my next hole, and see what happens, I will still be left with the first hole that is not deep enough just yet for a wall plug. It doesn't really make any sense trying the other hole for now.

You probably need a corded drill then

If you're near Bradford I'd be happy to help. It's easier to watch it being done and then to copy, which is why YouTube might help

Thank you so much for your replies. It's so disappointing. I will have to abandon this project and buy another drill. A plug in corded one this time. 😢

I enjoyed watching YouTube videos on drilling holes.

Good tools are your friends 😁. Well, they're mine at least.
Check reviews, there's lots of rubbish tools out there. Maybe second hand is worth a look? Gumtree etc.

I'm sorry but that really isn't powerful enough to drill into concrete. It would drill into plasterboard with the masonry bits. But really, I would consider that to be basically a screwdriver.

This
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Professional-06112A6071-2-21-Blue/dp/B094K3NRJD/ref=sr_1_11?crid=2DOFNGGXQL0O1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NpsEm5FkLgf3xGcEfXWuQ6AQsSitfFDeTQcuh89nquY-CNetqC8SQNAHZJ0yq_wC_qyX_Au6oLt-wBPT04mypRuPI17loF5Pp-x7EyDCUaNjC3AFaGHXkzHVBo1KRkgjiXI_O7qmocDMtS7goQZ4Zx3T8dEkDhQ7cPyG_c65ZgDj6ALIhvHYzkrsx_WrukqK2dXyXou4KsYio7YHHdbiVtY3q8xhj9JpLFPiV0iUoJ9GL8sV2lT9wUflMF97kL__cNSYPZpdWDWH8B44Bebi_X8yxT_CQISSOy471efwSCo.Z5Oo8TEb84ZS1wF35IpYP0qlRgKB6NCX3Dg0wVC2i84&dib_tag=se&keywords=bosch+hammer+drill&qid=1728840485&sprefix=bosch+hammer%2Caps%2C810&sr=8-11

is the minimum spec I'd use for concrete.

I use a hammer drill for drilling into my walls (plus you need a masonry bit).

Is yours a proper drill? As in a corded drill?

As everyone else has said, you need a corded hammer drill.

12V is an electric screwdriver, not a screw gun or a drill. Pp are correct, you have the wrong tool for the job. You could probably still return it via Amazon. They have a reason that says ‘not fit for purpose’ or ‘not as advertised’.

You need a hammer drill. I'm in a 50s with solid brick, my regular corded drill (yes even with masonry bits) is not up to task, just makes a mess. I borrow from our neighbour who has every tool in the world, and the same walls!