DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

I'm sure this must have been asked before but I don't seem to be able to find it.

I need to top fix a "roman" blind above a window. Having drilled through half an inch or so of plaster, I've hit metal - I presume a metal lintel of some sort. I purchased what I thought was a good quality HSS drill, small gauge, and have attempted to drill through it with this (as a pilot hole before using a larger bit).

Despite using a lot of effort, I've made very little progress (maybe 1-2mm). Do I need some sort of specialist drill bit for this? Do I need to just keep going for ages? Or is there some trick I'm not aware of?

All advice gratefully received!

PS. I've been using my power drill on relatively low revs for fear of overheating the bit.

Hi I would use self drilling self tapping construction screws, try a merchant.
These will work a treat.

Thanks for the tip - but I'm sceptical! I'm not really familiar with that sort of screw, but it seems amazing that they would be able to penetrate metal which a good HSS bit is having trouble with. How can that be? Are they made of even harder metal?

You may be sceptical, but from your post I wonder what reason you have to be so.
What experience do you have of these fixings?
You are being offered good professinal advice, free, what have you to lose by trying it?
These screws are commonly used to fix sheeting to Industrial Units, some will go into RSJ's , others into steel, they do the job, the secret is not to drill at too high a speed.