Drilling Tips and Tricks (and mistakes to avoid)
Drilling into a wall and using a rawlplug/anchor in order to accommodate a screw for hanging something, is not as difficult as it may seem.
The key, as always is to have the right technique and the right tools.
In order to drill into a wall, you will need: a hammer drill (corded or cordless), the correct masonry drill bit, the correct rawlplug/anchor and the correct screw.
The two most commonly-used masonry bits for drilling a hole in a wall are 6mm (1/4 inch) and 7mm (9/32). In order to get a good fixing in the wall you will need to make sure that your rawlplug/wall anchor fit the hole you have drilled exactly.
If the plug is too small for the hole, then the screw will not grip and if the plug is too small, then obviously it will not fit into the hole!
The whole point when getting a good fixing is to ensure that the hole you have drilled and the plug fit exactly.
This means that when you screw into the centre of the plug, the presence of the screw causes the plug to expand and thus grip on the interior of the hole you have drilled.
The following is a guide to the corresponding drill bits and plugs:
Brown plug = 7mm drill bit
Red plug = 6mm drill bit
Yellow plug = 5mm drill bit.
A 2" 10 gauge screw (or a 50mm 5 gauge metric equivalent) will be good for the 6mm and 7mm holes, whereas you will need a 1/3/4 inch 8 gauge (40mm 4 gauge metric equivalent) for a yellow plug.
Obviously, the larger the object to be hung, the bigger the screw, bit and plug.
Examples:
Hanging a heavy mirror, picture...
7mm drill bit, brown plug, 2.5 inch 10 gauge screw (60mm 5 gauge metric equivalent)
Hanging an average size picture, kitchen cabinets...
6mm bit, red plug, 2 inch 10 gauge screw (50mm 5 gauge metric equivalent)
Hanging small things - bathroom fittings for example...
5mm drill bit, yellow plug, 1.5 inch 8 gauge screw (40mm 4 gauge metric equivalent).
For more DIY advice, visit www.buildingsheriff.com
My husband passed away recently so now I must tackle all those jobs around the house he used to do. Your video was very informative and gave me the confidence to try things for myself. Many thanks 👍
Sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear that, hope you are enjoying your new found knowledge!
Mine too & my dad. I already knew some things but now I actually have to do it.
Same mery husband ky bad mjhy e sab krna parta
Really sorry to hear that. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Kind regards,
I don't usually comment but your the only person who mentioned the 1 and 2 setting on the drill. Thank you
Christopher Russell Thanks Christoper! It means a lot that someone was paying attention! But those settings are v. important (in the scheme of drilling things)! Stay safe. The Sheriff.
@@nicolejaxon7587 always pays to read the manual for every tool and appliance you use
I've just hung a tool box to my living room wall. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you for not being patronising, really informative and a genuine help,I feel I'm ready to start😂god help my house🙏
Just used a drill for the first time (aged 56). Thank you so much for such clear instruction, I feel weirdly empowered 😃
these kind of videos are priceless for people like me. Always relied on my dad for DIY at my new place, but also my mum's, but he unfortunately passed away at the start of the year and having to learn all this kind of stuff on my own now (at 35!). Thanks a lot for all your videos :)
My pleasure. I’m so sorry about your dad. It’s my pleasure to pass on what knowledge I have. Regards.
My husband passed away and I’ve moved away so now have to do all this myself this was extremely helpful thank you 🙏
I’m really sorry to hear that, Kim. I’m pleased to have been some small help to you. Kind regards.
Great explanation of safely drilling into a wall and possibly having and avoiding _electrical wiring_ behind the walls. Thank you.
Thank you for the tip on hammering the screw into the plug, I’ve had endless problems with plugs
The most British mix of metric and imperial! This was super helpful, thanks so much.
What an amazing, yet simple and very well explained. Impressive, I've been doing it wrong no wonder no successful lasting results.. thankyou sis.🙌🏾
After looking all over the youtube, I found your video the most helpful. Finally, I am getting confident of doing the job myself in my first home. Thank you. Subscribed to your channel now.
Thanks mate. For the simple, but very useful drilling tips.
I know that we ladies appreciate the instruction but I think some gents do too. Thanks for this interesting and informative video. Christine UK.
My pleasure, Christine!
Thank you for such clear explanation, I have always struggled with knowing the right size for the drill and the screws.
Thank you for this incredible video man! You did an amazing job explaining and showing how it’s done.
This is such a helpful video. I’ve always worried about the electrical lines are hitting water.
This has been useful.....drilling a few holes today.....need to look again at my drill.
This video is amazing!! Thank you for your detailed explanation. I made a mistake with the diameter of the tip, so I had to do another hole next to the it, but it will serve as a reminder. For yellow plugs, it's 5mm tip.
Thank you so much for this video - I always wondered how one would know to avoid electric cables in the wall and that is the main reason I've always asked my dad to do this sort of thing for me. I now feel a lot more confident in buying my own drill and doing this sort of thing myself without waiting weeks or months for my dad to be able to do it for me 😊😊
Awesome guide! The description made it super clear for me. Keep up!
Thanks Sherrif, today I am able to drill first holes in my house wall to mount AC stabilizer and MCB. This is my very first time in life and it is super successful. I could save a visit of electrician and also around 10 dollar service charge
Well explained. Thank you.. Videos like this and the description really helps for amateur DIY enthusiasts..
Thank you!
This was extremely informative! Thank you so much!!
Appreciate you including how fricken hard it was for you to drill that wall! Some walls will be tougher than others. Not always easy.
Thank you so much I feel excited to start drilling 😀
Wow, I've been doing it wrong for so many years :( tip with the hammer is great, I thought they were ment to be flush with the wall.
So this is very useful. I never knew I needed this knowledge
Perfect instructions, thank you!.
Thank you so much for this!!! I've been trying to find a clear and simple vid for drilling into walls (and other DIY) for years! I live alone and can't really afford a pro handy man. This is the only vid i've seen that's finally given me the confidence to do it myself. Thank you so much! Subscribed!
Thank you, Daisy. My pleasure.
Quality video mate. As someone who is totally new to DIY this was extremely easy to follow. Thanks :)
MrTweed Thanks so much!
Fantastic and very informative video. Thank you.
Great video. Thanks for the advice!
Best explanation and demonstration I've seen- thank you!
Thanks!
Straight to the point,no unnecessary spiel,clear concise. Tho is the first time when I see been recommended to push the plug in all the time. Why I that?most of the videos the head ofplug is flush with the wall
I hadn't thought of using an SDS drill bit in a normal chucked drill. Makes sense though as SDS bits seem to be much longer generally than standard ones. Also - liked the tips on wiring - assuming an electrican rather than DIYer has wired it..
Thanks! This is exactly what I need.
thanks so much for posting this - all the tips I needed!!!! :)
I didn't know that Jaime Lannister was such a good handyman. Well done Jaime!
I must remember not too cut off my good hand! 🤣
Very clearly explained, Thankyou so much!
Some good advice in this video for a novice like myself thanks a lot
Thanks for teaching.
The part with the screw and anchor was amazing. Never thought about that! Bye bye hammer-marks on the wall 😂😎🤘💪👌👈
Thank you Bro! I was drlling too high on the wall and the tips help me do not embarrassed myself front of my gf.
Big help with the electrical tip at 1:45ish. Thank you
Very well made video Sheriff. Don't know how I ended up here as I'm a tradesman myself but one thing I did learn by reading the comments, chicks really dig these kind of videos, perhaps I should start making them 🤣
Hilarious! Get that shirt off and tool belt on…
@@buildingsheriff 😂
Awesome explanation
Thank you for making this video!!
well described ,Thanks.Today i am fitting curtain bracket.Do I need hammer also?
Very useful explanations!
WOW, fantastic tutorial.
i so needed this now, thank you for making this video😅
This was really hopeful thanks a lot ❤️❤️
Very helpful I desperately need to learn this stuff but some questions are unanswered, why use a 2inch screw would you ever need a shorter/longer and why. Why use different wall plugs, and are all walls like the same round the house. What if the screw doesn't bite at and is loose or something is in the way and you can drill the hole?
I'm using my combi to create hole with chisel etc. for a new eletrical back box. But i'm hitting concrete and really struggling to break it up. Using a masonry bit and all. Any thoughts?
Great tutorial thanks!
Thank you!
Absolutely fantastic thank you 🙏
Thank you SO much!
When i usually drill for heavy item to hang. I use a smaller dril bit with hammering. And i finish the hole with the proper drill bit without hammering mode. That way the hole holds the plug very tight. I use hammer to slide them inside. I believe that is the best way. Not that yours is not. But sometimes some walls are softer and when i drill the hole isnt tight.
Oh cool. So my plan to mount a peg board for yarn storage should hold up then yay!
What is the driller make and model you are using?
Incredible video. Thanks!
Great stuff! Super helpful :)
For Plasterboard I make a pilot hole, then make that’s hole the correct size. I usually need to drill into the brick behind for the depth of the fitting. But sometimes the drill bit skates around when it hits the brick. This changes the dimensions of the hole in the plaster board. How can I avoid this? Thanks! At a guess my bit isn’t “sharp” all masonry bits feel blunt!? 🤐
Great video thanks. Any hints/tips for drilling high up on a wall? Ie ladder orientation etc
Yes. Be careful! Ladder always perpendicular to the wall, never parallel. Always have someone standing on the bottom rung footing it. Just take it easy. Slow and steady. Does it 🥊
Obviously if it is a very tall step ladder and you are too far from the wall, you will have to be parallel, but then you will need someone on the bottom rung and also I’d recommend a third person on the other side of the ladder holding it so that it doesn’t push away from the wall
Good man, thanks!
Can you do a video about drilling a hook for hanging chairs into concrete ceilings?
Good informative video
Thank you
Thanks good explanation.
Iv been doing this in my house and always struggled to get the plug to fit in perfectly now I’ve wondered let’s find a video so I can do it properly
How to prevent the drill bit from slipping and moving away from the marked spot?
Great advice thanks
Thanks, Paul. 👍
@Hugh Jarsol Cheers, "Hugh"!
Thank you 🙏
Thank you .
Hello, I loved your video, it was very informative. I would like to learn how to do all those jobs myself. Could you please put a link to the drill you used please
www.toolstation.com/dewalt-dcd709d2t-gb-18v-xr-brushless-compact-combi-drill/p60545?mkwid=_dm&pcrid=&pkw=&pmt=&gclid=CjwKCAjw7eSZBhB8EiwA60kCW_kgEz9fe-NPsnpgM62fw_qtLEKY45C_pqKul1ip_2CgTiDU7gn-cxoCxNQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Great Video. So do you select screw just smaller than a plug. Is there a standard table. Also how do I recognize bit that is for concrete vs wood.
A wood bit has a sharp point on the end and is usually black. A masonry bit has a little kind of hammerhead shark look at the end. Like a pair of ears and it is usually silver. If you ask in your local DIY or hardware shop they will match you screws for appropriate plugs.
@@buildingsheriff Thank you.
You can use thick concrere nail + hammer to create a crack hole when the wall is tough to drill in one go, then you can try to proceed with drilling again. I use this trick whenever im drilling very hard concrete wall, much bettee than forcing to drill in one go. Just a humble tips that most people might already know. Just in case
Thanks dad!
thnks man..
Is that a hammer drill? Im newbie😊
Thank🙏
Fantastic, the how much weight can a screw hold is always what i have wanted to know
You’re in for a treat then! Check this out! kzhead.info/sun/nqWxd6WBfZSnqGw/bejne.html
Lovely video thank you Cause I am trying to save costs hiring contractors for these simple things
How do you get the drill holes accurately at the same height, say of you have a number of individual coat hooks to mount. They always seems to go off marginally when I drill.
Put some goggles on and then tap a nail onto your mark with a hammer so that this provides a starting point for the drill. Just repeat along a level for additional holes
@@buildingsheriff smashing thanks.
Do all drills have a setting 1 and 2 for screwing and drilling?
No, he has a drill and impact driver. If you just have a drill you won't have the 1 and 2
I'm so get panic when it comes to the drilling I have got drilling machine but I can't drill properly yet when I tried the dril bit get bend or broke what dril bit should I used & machine makes too much noise too while driling, I have to drill heavy duty plastic box please suggest some good drill bit
If I am not mistaken, the drillbit is dependent on the type of wall you are trying to drill. Just look it up on google what bit you need for your wall
Sorry if this sounds silly but what is the difference between hammer and drill on the drill itself. I am struggling to drill a hole in my wall and was using drill (due to drilling a hole in the wall)
No. Not silly at all. The drill function is used for screwing and drilling into wood. The hammer function gives you some extra oompfh and will be used when drilling into masonry. For any basic usage other than drilling into masonry use screw function. But if you need to drill into masonry use the hammer function. I hope this helps.
Brilliant video. Whenever I try to drill a hole (however small it might be) into my wall, I end up instead with a big crater in my wall! In some places I get a perfect hole but in many places I end up with a crater. Why does this happen? My wall is essentially a layer of brick, covered with a layer of concrete, followed by plaster (and finally paint). Is there something wrong with my drill or drill bit or is the cement and plaster getting brittle with age?? Honestly, even the plaster coming off doesn't bother me, I could always plaster again. But I am confused and worried that why is the cement brittle and not firm.
Hi Jimbo. Usually it is because the cement adhesion to the brick or block behind. It has loosened. This can happen to us all. The best way to get around this is to start gently with a smaller bit and then increase hole size. This doesn’t always work but it has done for me in the past.
@@buildingsheriff tks a lot. I kept thinking there was something wrong with my drilling technique or something.
great tips! just moved to a new apartment and this is gonna be very useful when hanging all my shit hahaha
Hi Sheriff ⭐️ I have been doing some drilling projects around our home after your ace tuition, but the property is quite old and the walls kind of ‘crumble’ and the drill holes are too large. Is there a solution to this please?
I know the feeling! I would always start with a very small drillbit. And then try and get a plug to match usually a bigger plug. For example, I would use a 4 mm masonry bit and then maybe see if five or 6 mm bit would go into the resulting hole. Failing that what I would do is use two part filler after I’ve drilled a hole fill this and then drill into the filler. I hope this helps
@@buildingsheriff great advice thank you! Funnily enough I put a heavy mirror up today, first drill hole dodgy so I did actually try a smaller bit for the second, then had to go in with the larger one, a much better result. Sorry I’m such a novice, this morning I googled “how do you know what screw size you have”, you know the answer to that! 😅
@@elizabethbarrett5668 it’s trial and error, Elizabeth. We all start without the knowledge and we gain it as we go along. You worked it out for yourself. 👌
I have big problem with drilling wall i tried everything mansory drill bit with hammer drill but I still can’t go through any idea you have what should I do
Anything Goes The best case is usually start with small bits and then gradually increase the size. What type of wall do you have? Granite!
Can you recommend a couple of masonry bits? (screws and anchor are a bonus :D ). Thanks so much for the video, it is the first time that someone mention that #2 is for drilling, i have seen tutorials videos using #1 and #2 indistinctly...
I would look up some ratings and reviews but honestly just make sure you don't push too hard with masonry bits, you will get a feel on what's a good pressure to apply after you get a little experience and practice. Wear safety glasses especially if you're drilling above eye level... Maybe a mask if doing extended masonry cutting or drilling. Main thing to extend the life of a bit is to drill level, and don't drill for too long without giving a chance for the bit to cool. They will definitely wear out and burn up after lots of use though.
@@scottbeamitup7089 Appreciate that, thanks!
Should I drill into wall or window frame??.. my wall seems to break apart when I drill into it
Window frame shouldn’t need drilling - if it’s timber - other than a small pilot hole for a screw.
My wall plug never seems to go fully in even after Ensuring the hole is deep enough for the plug?
You may be using a plug that is too big for your drill bit
I've got a Makita drill, used setting 2 and hammer setting with masonry 1/4 inch drill bit. But for the life of me I cannot drill into the outer wall of the house for my ring doorbell. I managed to drill one hole. But the drill bit is overheating and going purple. What am I doing wrong or is it just a tough wall?
Man, that sounds like a tough gig. The only thing I could recommend is using a diamond tile drill bit to get things going. Sometimes these bricks can be rockhard.
@@buildingsheriff Got it. Will have a pop at that. Appreciate the response
Something like this www.toolstation.com/mexco-tdxcel-dry-diamond-tile-drill/p69120?mkwid=_dm&pcrid=&pkw=&pmt=&gclid=CjwKCAjw9NeXBhAMEiwAbaY4luTS3j926VCBj500v1tZHfw-B_mCFntwYikgdMS7HUOzJHoeE_pg2RoCfxkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I just bought some new DeWalt drill bits. Worked perfectly. Not had the drill bits for long so surprised it did not work.
@@zamanz1572 glad to hear it. We spend so much on power tools such as drills and jigsaws, but the most important thing is a thing that does the work ie the saw blade or the drill bit.
first video in the list when you became a dad
Hi, Just wondering how you can take out the plug?
Insert a screw about 15mm into the plug and then lever the screw out with a claw hammer. It will bring the plug with it.
Silly question, were you drilling into a stud or drywall?
Brick.
Holy shit the toolbox is hanging!