Begin slowly and gradually increase the speed once the bit has penetrated the timber. You will need masonry bits specially designed for drilling into bricks and concrete. Nige F has it, you need a HSS (high speed steel) drill bit which is designed to cut metal (but not masonry); masonry drill bits are tipped but won't touch steel wrong cutting angles! Fitting Blinds to Fabricated Metal Lintel, Advice on fixing uPVC window to steel lintel, Fitting Blinds, weird fluff mystery above lintel. If you are just fitting something like a curtain rail. When it comes to concrete, the smaller the drill bit, the easier it will penetrate. Enable the drills hammer feature and apply gentle and steady pressure as you start drilling. I hate drilling in to lintels. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'diydoctor_org_uk-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_3',840,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diydoctor_org_uk-large-mobile-banner-2-0');One final point, as we have touched on above, if you are fixing directly to bare plaster, dampen the plaster surface first before fixing your timber in place as this will prevent the very porous plaster sucking the moisture out of the adhesive before it has fully cured. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You can see some decent SDS bits for this job by clicking here. This gives the tip of your. In order to drill holes into a lintel you will require a corded hammer drill. Too high a speed and the tip will heat up and soften. There are many types of drills that can be used for making holes, but when it comes to drilling into a concrete lintel, it would be best to prepare a hammer drill. While you can use a standard drill for drilling into concrete, it requires considerably more effort and time. It can be relatively tough to drill through, and will take a while, but the right bit will do the job. This job needs a skilled approach, to get a favourable outcome. Are you a trade or supplier? When doing this, make sure to set your drill to a low speed or to work in short bursts. Considering there is always at least 20mm between the surface of the plaster or plasterboard to the lintel, this is no mean feat. You will also need wall plugs for putting in the screws. Assuming the steel is beneath plaster or plasterboard maybe drill down to that with a masonry bit first (to save your HSS bit). Aside from this, self-tapping screws are best to be used. I know that I will have to drill holes into the steel to attach the fittings but never having had to drill into steel before, I am unsure of the type of bit and the speed I should use on the drill. Also ensure that you have a decent drill bit that fits the screw head tightly and also a decent bit holder to ensure the bit does not slip and become wedged in the bit holder (check out our review on drill bit holders for more info). Mark the position for the hole and decide on a depth and width based on the size of wall plug. Tools: For drilling into stone lintel you will need a hammer drill or SDS rotary drill paired with a metal bonded diamond drill bit. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Lip Angle: The lip angle calculates the quantity of support offered to the sharp end. - Right off the bat, one of your biggest problems here is going to be finding the right tools for the job. Whether you are repairing an existing structure or building a new one, something that you may have to deal with are lintels, specifically, drilling into them. Apply gentle pressure and start drilling in small bursts, without hammer function to form a shallow hole. Mark the position of the point where you want to drill a hole. But first, you must understand some fundamental facts in order to drill into it properly. I guess that's a yes then cheers. Steel lintels In more recent years, steel lintels are more common, they are generally much lighter to work with, and compared to concrete, they also have a considerably higher load bearing strength, in relation to their own weight. 156K views 1 year ago Drilling holes in structural steel to facilitate a good fixing sounds daunting and / or expensive but really isn't. Watch me as I drill 9mm holes in the bottom flange of. also make sure you drilling at the . For drilling holes in steel that's 1/8 in. Apart from that, I have developed this habit of jotting down my personal experience about using a specific tool. Then hopefully we have answered that question for you already. Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals, DIY Doctor Ltd, The Workshop, Newbury Works, Somerset, BA3 5RX, DIY Doctor Ltd 2023 All Rights Reserved, Company Number: 05863375 | VAT Number: 811134774. For openings of more than a meter and heavier loads, reinforced brick lintels are used. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Almost any general-purpose twist bit will do a decent job of drilling holes in metal. Don't fancy doing this project yourself? Functional Length: The depth of the hole and resultant accuracy of the hole depend on the functional length of the drill. They're really tough and the threads are so sharp that they easily cut into mild steel. The greater the lip angle is, the more aggressive the bit will be cutting. Therefore, you wont be fixing into steel. How do you drill into a metal beam? So, if you want to learn how to drill into lintel, keep on reading. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. For white woodwork, this will usually mean a standard gloss. However, if you do a lot of DIY, they do come in very handy. We also have a twitter feed that covers some of our inspiration ideas and top tips @DBlindsCurtains. In respect to this, if you have a few spare pounds its well worth investing in a specialist drill bit set, purpose made for this job as it is now possible to buy drill bits that will go through both concrete and steel check them out in our store here. Lets discuss in detail the different types of lintel and how you can easily drill into them. Instead, bricks were fitted on end (soldier course brickwork). 1 day ago. Then attaching timber to the wall, in order to fix too, is a common and aesthetically pleasing alternative, that requires zero drilling. So, in most normal situations, such as hanging some blinds or curtains, drilling small holes is not an issue. When you hit a steel lintel use a Titanium Coated Bit such as the example on the left. Using pilot holes (see our related projects, right) normal screws can be driven up through the plastic and into the timber for a solid reliable fix for any kind of window blind, curtain poles or curtains.Completed job with cappit fixed into place in window recess, Completed job with cappit fixed into place in window recess. In this video, we demonstra. A common concern among diy enthusiasts regarding drilling into lintels is that it can potentially weaken the lintel. Keep in mind that lintels tend to be the same width as the walls in which they are placed into, with the purpose being to bear some of the load above, and to displace the above load into the walls. Stone lintels are also not used very commonly as they can only be used in buildings having stone facing or constructed with stone masonry. While drilling into lintels can be a challenging task, with the right information you can easily accomplish it. Concrete lintels are commonly used in modern constructions due to their low cost and durable nature. A certified Electrical Engineer who knows his way around using power tools like a professional. If you have an SDS drill with specialized combination SDS drill bits designed for both concrete and steel, then there are no differences at all. Make sure you are using sharp drill bit to avoid splintering. As above,board adhesive every day. This is a very difficult process not least because once you have drilled the hole for the self tapping screw, you then have to locate it again to put the screw into it. Jord86, Dec 3, 2020 #2 Alan_C New Member Hi Jord86, Thanks for your alternative fixing suggestion - appreciated. Since then, I have finished almost a dozen DIY woodworking jobs. Once the adhesive had set (24hours) the props were removed and at this point we would ordinarily have filled any gaps or nicks in the timber and primed, undercoated and glossed the wood to match the room. A window opening is unlikely to have a RSJ above it. We work with the industries best to ensure that we recommend only reliable and trustworthy tradesmen. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Since this tragedy, numerous researchers paid close attention to masonry construction and conducted various tests to determine the suitability of the masonry products. Patch of the timber can be glued to the wall, using industrial adhesives to fix the curtain or blinds into it. Drilling into Lintels and Fixing to Lintels, General Building, Self Build and Renovation, Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety, Let us help you find a tradesman local to you, check out our review on drill bit holders for more info, Fixing to Lightweight Blocks: Thermalite, Durox & Aircrete Blocks, How To Choose The Right Fixing For The Job. Drilling into Steel Lintels Steel lintels are even more difficult to fix to as, once you have drilled through the plaster and reached the steel lintel, you must then swap drill bits for a high speed steel bit and then use self tapping screws to fix the item you wish to hang. Put in the wall plug and insert the screw in it. Another reason for its reduced usage is its high cost and less availability. Drilling through steel lintels can be tricky, we have a number of suggestions to make it easier. Due to how tough lintels can be it is recommeneded that you only use an SDS drill and drill bits. Make sure to periodically lubricate the instrument by using multipurpose oil or specialized cutting oil to reduce the friction and heating up. Speed changes are as easy as opening the lid and moving a rubber belt from one pulley to another. Ordered vertical blinds for our 8 windows and have discovered that the lintels are made of steel. Ask us your questions, where possible include a photo, they say a 1000 words. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. So you will need a decent SDS drill and masonry bits. We also have a twitter feed that covers some of our inspiration ideas and top tips, , where possible include a photo, they say a 1000 words. This can be a tricky job as both materials are tough. ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true});Don't want to do this job yourself? Start the drill again and it will be dislodged from the stone. Likewise, if the paint or other covering is loose and flaking away then the adhesive you use will simply stick to the loose paint and therefore fail in no time. For putting in the screw you will also need a wall plug. In this guide we will also show you a method of fixing that avoids the need for drilling into concrete or steel lintels. Make sure to periodically take the drill out so that loose debris can fall out. Start slow until lined up and your bit has entered the lintel at a straight angle then go for it! Lintels are a structural beam found above openings, such as doors and windows. They can be made from several different materials. The second bit from the left is a cobalt bit which is for very hard libels such as Stainless Steel. The tool should do most of the work. This is certainly the most common reason. Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search. Start by marking the position of your hole and deciding on a diameter as well as depth. Tools: For drilling into a timber lintel you need a standard cordless drill with standard bits. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Self-tapping screws are the best for using with a steel lintel. That being said, steel is tougher and generally requires a bit more force, as well as higher quality drill bits to get through. In that situation, certain measures must be taken to get desired results and minimize the chances of damage, as if it fails it may affect the integrity of the lintel. Grab your copy now for all the DIY help you need right at your finger tips! Apply as little pressure as possible. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'diydoctor_org_uk-box-4','ezslot_9',826,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diydoctor_org_uk-box-4-0');As mentioned above, always ensure that you hold your drill straight. Dewalt DCK240C2 vs DCK280C2 Which one is Right for You! The trouble is that if the lintel is in place, when you break through the other side of the lintel, you may well be drilling straight into mortar or a brick. If it gets tricky swap between the Titanium and the Bullet Tip such as third example as they will start cutting again as you are changing the shape of the cut. First off, this means wearing adequate eye and hearing protection, as well as a face mask or respirator so you do not inhale concrete dust. In reinforced brick lintels, steel bars or rods are used to strengthen the lintel. I'm trying to fit a curtain track above a window but cannot drill through the lintel. Sunday 17th March 2019. To ensure a secure and lasting fix, any loose flaking paint needs to be scraped off back down to the plaster. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'diydoctor_org_uk-banner-1','ezslot_2',827,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diydoctor_org_uk-banner-1-0');With your hold drilled in both the lintel and also the item you are fixing to the lintel (if needed) position the two with the holes aligned and pop your screw in and screw it up. And heat dulls bits quickly. Never drill concrete without proper eye and breathing protection. If drilling larger than 4 to 5mm pilot with a smaller diameter bit first then switch to the right size. One other problem you may face, is hitting the steel reinforcement inside the concrete. - Updated This category is reserved for heavy load-bearing and special cases, due to its high cost and large bearing capacity. 9 months ago. So you could try and fix into these. TC Tools is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. While you are in luck if your house is built with stone, you might be in a bit of a trouble if you need to drill into a stone lintel. var cid='3350712846';var pid='ca-pub-4631420095579283';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-diydoctor_org_uk-box-3-0';var ffid=2;var alS=2002%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);container.style.width='100%';var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;if(ffid==2){ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive='true';} They're just the thing when you need a perfectly sized, clean hole in a steel junction box, electrical service panel or even a stainless steel sink. Begin by drilling a shallow hole on low power before increasing the speed and engaging the hammer feature. You can read more about this nail gun and see lots of customer reviews by clicking here. I've been using a metal drill bit to drill up into a steel lintel.