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.

A cheap corded drill from screwfix or Toolstation will drill a hole in cement in about 10 seconds, I think we paid £70 for ours.

That's very disappointing.

I thought I ordered a drill and it said a drill.

I will get to work packaging this up. I used it for a few hours today. Would I still be able to return it?

I would feel better returning it so that I can buy another one.

Very disappointing.

So when I get a new drill, should I reorganise my wall and hole markings and and move the hole locations.

I made sure to start with a smaller/thinner drill bit than what I needed before moving upwards.

Hopefully I will have e a new drill later in the week and I can continue with the work I am trying to do.

Can you post a pic of the hole/area you're trying to drill?

Yes, you can still return it. I understand the disappointment, but you are due a refund on this.

The area I am drilling.

Could be adding to what's been said but I find only the non corded for screwing not drilling. I have a corded one for drilling holes. I've recently put some shelves up and after checking for pipes, electrics I run a screw in. You can usually tell if you're dealing with a joist or concrete, even plasterboard with gap. So as an example, all concrete you will have cement coming out on the screw as you bring it back out. For a joist it will screw in nicely and make a squeaky noise (well does in my walls). I put a bit of tape at end of drill bit that's same length as the plug. That way I'm not drilling too deep or not enough. For hammering the plug in I put a little coaster over it to protect the surrounding wall.
If there seems to be a gap after the plaster board you need some different mounts I think they are toggle bolts. You use a bigger drill bit and post the toggle through and then tighten. Some good you tube videos for most types of wall mounting. Spirit level is a must but you probably already know this. A longer one is good. It's tricky business but you get used to it after a while.

For sure. It was advertised as a drill and it had masonry bits too and it's just not fit for purpose. I will return it.

There's no point going in for round number three with my 'drill' is there?

This is what I use for drilling with a masonry drill bit.

Yes, I wish I bought a Bosch to begin with.

It's a bugger for locking though. Hope you have some luck with it. DH can't do any DIY at all.

I’ve a similar Bosch to the drill posted. Honestly drilling holes in tough walls in now like a hot knife through butter. The hammer/drill part is really powerful and effective.

id lend it to you if you were close, but ds1 keeps borrowing it (think that may be his Xmas pressie sorted!). I only bought it 3 years ago.

Keep it and use it as a screwdriver. Will come in handy down the line. Use the bits on the new corded drill.

Mine is a DeWalt

I’ve been doing the same today, we also have walls made from the hardest material in the world. I have to use my 35 year old corded black&decker hammer drill for these walls, and even then it’s a toil

I could do that. However I already have a small battery screw driver. I really didn't need another one.

I could keep it but I don't think I want to know. I bought it with the purpose of using it as a drill because it was advertised like that. I never realised it was going to be too weak for concrete even though masonry was advertised. I think I will return it. Quite possibly.

This is the one I have https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Professional-Corded-Rotary-Hammer/dp/B072J3KXDV/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3BCRGWS2485C8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GLCjGz-CsDLKzlTb4J0q8Yck97n0KcfPNrQPAEJ3GoGh9hTs0ksfHOAppjVMpFEaWjP_opS46daKuwal85yt2rDhf0iSOqOrdicGfI_yTxkqhfsMez1FsxyG81CIYRZzcKwgNodTrvpz0UhXnat5_WH4OyabTiqkjGJ9uRxFSYOhLYIAyLpiSjgTckPIL1ESs3EMdbhDRsaV_w6YLnsYjik6ZGufM8pRBSZiyCLW4ss.W4ggeE-Ifl3wg4osFC5h7TaVYVt8k_J7w9nP3RIO644&dib_tag=se&keywords=Bosch%2BGBH%2B2%2B26%2BF%2BSDS%2BPlus%2B3%2BMode%2BHammer%2BDrill&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1728842431&s=diy&sprefix=bosch%2Bgbh%2B2%2B26%2Bf%2Bsds%2Bplus%2B3%2Bmode%2Bhammer%2Bdrill%2Cdiy%2C93&sr=1-3&th=1

Shit.
That does not fill me with confidence, at all, at all?

Did you get your task done?

I was looking online and I was going to get a black and decker because it was the cheapest but I might go for a Bosch now.

God, that is some tool.

I would feel scared holding that.

Thank you for all of your valuable replies and advice. I have the Amazon 'drill' packaged up for returning. There's no point holding onto it. I prefer manual screw drivers although a screw got stuck in an IKEA cabinet and it did help me tighten it more. Maybe Iight keep it.

I will order another drill bit a corded drill.

Yeah I did, but the cordless drill I use for wood etc doesn’t look at the walls-so it’s out with the big lad!
When you’re looking at drills, obviously price comes into it, but look at the power of the motor within that, and the higher the better

If mn had a DIY Classics board, this thread should go into it!

I'm looking at a Bosch 700w corded drill now

Haha, yeah. I wanted something powerful, but not too heavy or expensive and this fitted the bill. Been doing DIY for a very long time and this is my 3rd Bosch drill. Tbh I don’t use the other 2 which are both really old (one was my dad’s and should probably be in a museum!) and I keep for sentimental reasons. I use my De Walt cordless for a lot of things and the Bosch for drilling into concrete or brick.

tips for attaching things to walls:

always for go for a slightly more robust plug and screw than is supplied with the item

drill a small hole to start with, then move up to correct size. It’ll give you a ‘feel’ for what you’re drilling into (it can be a bit more crumbly than you think and you end up with a giant hole)

if the hole is slightly too big and the plug just moves round, use a few cut matchsticks in the hole

wear ear plugs/defenders and safety glasses