I was trying to drill through my stucco wall and hit a very hard surface that the drill would not go through. I then purchased a titanium drill bit that I was told would drill through steel, which I think is what is behind the stucco. However, I can't get the drill to make a hole. How long does it take to drill through steel and am I using the correct drill bit?
How to drill through steel
drill
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Yes, the drill chuck will mar the finish of the shelf. There is a slight chance of damage to the chuck. Plus, choking down on the bit, like that, obscures your view of the hole (the drill and chuck block it) -- making precision harder to accomplish.
The correct way to do this is to use a drill stop.
Drill stops are less likely to slip than tape or zip-ties, and are much better for precise and/or repeated drilling.
If marring the finish is an issue, clamp a piece of 1/8th plywood over the site and adjust the drill stop accordingly.
PS: A piece of wood over the hole is usually a good idea anyway, when drilling finished surfaces. It helps reduce both splintering and the scratching that occurs when flakes of drilled wood or metal whip around the bore site.
Get some flat bar and drill the hole size that you require. clamp the flat bar into position over the existing hole (in the correct position). Then drill or file into the flat bar hole (acting as a guide/template) to your desired position.
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Best Answer
Ecnerwal raises a good point - I would want to know for sure what it is before drilling through it. Metal plates are often put in around wires and pipes specifically to stop you from accidentally drilling into them - you could break electrical wires or plumbing, potentially causing a fire or a flood.
The plates work like this image shows:
The best thing to do here probably isnt applying more force - either drill somewhere else, or open up a small hole in the wall around it so you can see what you are breaking, then decide if its still a good idea.
As for what will drill through it - it depends on exactly what it is and how thick it is. Drilling through strong thick steel requires lubricating oil so you dont overheat and damage the drill bits. They will dull very fast without it.