How to drill into brick with Hammer drill?

[elle26]

 

   

I bought the Ryobi 9V hammer drill and masonry drill bit set.

I’m trying to drill an 8mm hole, to 50mm depth.

 

I’ve been at it for well over an hour and I’m only about 25mm deep.

What am I doing wrong? I know this wasn’t the most expensive drill on the market but it’s supposed to drill into bricks and surely it shouldn’t take this long.

Please help!

[woodenwookie]

I'd start with changing that switch on top from 1 to 2.

Also make sure you periodically pull the drill out to remove concrete dust from the bit.

And also just to clear yourself from the "dumb user" title, just make sure the drill is spinning clockwise. Not saying you haven't done it but I have once.

[JacobZ]

Hi @elle26,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

While your drill does have a hammer function, which you have correctly set it to, with particularly hard masonry, you are still going to struggle. Being an entry-level drill with a relatively low amp battery, it just doesn't have the power output to make drilling into masonry easy.

Two things you can try to speed things up -

1. Make sure the battery is fully charged. A 2Ah battery is not really designed for the heavy load that will be applied to it in this circumstance, so it will likely be draining very quickly. You should make sure it is fully charged before trying again.
    
2. Don't go straight to an 8mm hole. Start with a smaller hole and work your way up. If you start with a 3 or 4mm hole and get it to the depth you are after, it will be much easier to follow up with the 8mm drill bit.

Give these a try and let me know how you go.

Jacob

[elle26]

Thanks Jacob, the battery was fully charged when I started. And recharged multiple times to get to where I’m at.

I know it’s not an expensive drill, but it’s sold as a hammer drill suitable for brick and masonry up to 12mm so I feel a little ripped off that it’s not fit for purpose.

I actually need to drill a 12mm hole which is why I started with the 8mm.

Should I still go down to a 4mm hole and then drill through with the 8mm and finally the 12mm?

Thanks!

[elle26]

Thanks for responding. I’ve tried it on both 1 and 2 and it didn’t make any difference. And yep, periodically removed the dust and was set to clockwise I think I just got ripped off with what I bought unfortunately. 

[EricL]

Hello @elle26 

I'm sorry to hear that you've run into some issues with your brick drilling. One of the possible reasons that you're not able to move forward is that its possible that you've hit a Reo bar inside the brick. I've also noticed that your drill bit tip has discoloured very badly. This is an indication that it has heated up too intensely and has made the end soft and go blunt. 

I propose giving it one more go, but this time I suggest getting a drill bit in the Kango or Diablo range. These would be some of the strongest masonry bits you can get and are not easily blunted.

Here is a link to our best advice: How do you drill into brick? 

Here is a handy step-by-step guide:   How to drill into brick

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Russ42]

Hi Elle. I am probably wrong to say this but, as incredibly useful a battery wotsit is, 9V verses 240V....do the math as they say. For such a large hole, I cannot recommend highly enough the Ozito 1500W rotary hammer drill (and jack hammer) at $98 ish. I was removing Hebel (concrete) off the bottom of a verandah to fix some concrete cancer and bought 2 of them (one for my helper). It did an amazing job and since it is both a Jack hammery thing and a masonary drill. I have used it so much more often than I thought. My helper loved it so much he bought one off me after we had finished the job. The only thing is, I would recommend purchasing the optional chuck also so you can attach smaller drill bits also as, like the Ryobi you have, it can't take the ordinary round drills etc. Why the Ryobi doesn't have the ordinary chuck I can only guess is to sell more over priced drill bits when they inevitably break. Bad Ryobi!

[AlanM52]

Hi elle26,

It's the drill bit, drop down one size and see how you go.

Then use the next one up from 8mm and same again until you get the 12mm hole drilled.

As EricL mentioned you may need to get a better quality 10 and 12 mm to complete the job (Kango or Diablo range).

Already mentioned ensure drill is on 2 setting and set for hammer.

Avoid continuous pressure use a plunging motion, alternate between push & ease off which will keep the bit at a lower temperature.

Cheers

[JacobZ]

Hi @elle26,

While drill drivers with a hammer function are capable of drilling into masonry, their design is more about having wide usability than being for one specific purpose, so it can be tough going drilling into brick. Rotary hammer drills such as this Ozito 710W Hammer Drill are designed specifically for drilling into masonry and would be better suited to the job

If you still aren't having any luck using the recommendations in this discussion, you can return your drill with your receipt and grab something more powerful and suited to the job.

The Ozito drill I mentioned will take the same masonry bits that you are using.

Let me know if you have anything else I can assist with.

Jacob 

[Noyade]

Good morning @elle26 

"I actually need to drill a 12mm hole"

Just the one - or there's more?

"Ryobi 9V hammer drill"

Based on your photo above - 18V?

 

"I’ve been at it for well over an hour and I’m only about 25mm deep."

Wow.

I just now experimented with some cordless drills outside - using a variety of voltages and going straight with a 12mm old style masonry bit.

Worst was the Dewalt at 10.5V - it just gave up.

Next was the Workforce at 12V - progress, but like your experience, very slow.

I discovered to my amazement the Stanley 18V doesn't even have a hammer function.

Then the 18V 3Ah Bosch.

It just powered through the brick. Like the proverbial hot knife through butter.

And it was a semi-depleted battery.

One variable is of course - the brick. Mine has been laying around for 40 years - so maybe it's a lot softer?

Just an outside coffee and experimental thought.

Cheers.