Drilling into brick with old hole close by ?

Loagi · 20 Dec 2020 at 10:19

So I need to drill a hole into a brick wall for a rawplug - my problem is theres an existing redundant hole slightly overlapping where I need to drill. Sadly its too offset to re-use.

How can I drill the new hole without the drill walking into the old hole ? I guess I need to fill the old hole with something - whats best (e.g. wood dowel) ?

bremen1874 · 20 Dec 2020 at 10:34

Could you increase the size of the existing hole and then dowel and screw into that?

phil-k · 20 Dec 2020 at 10:36

I would just fill the old hole with a cement, but if you don't have any a piece of wood shaved down and hammered in tight might be more secure

JayMax · 20 Dec 2020 at 10:41

I'd fill it with something like this:
https://www.tetrion.co.uk/product/hard-as-rock-filler-2/

Adam_151 · 20 Dec 2020 at 11:34

Sometimes if it does't need to take a lot of weight, you can get the screw to go between the plug and the side of the hole. If that doesn't get you enough distance, then start the drill off at a bit of an angle, drilling into the side of the existing hole a little below the surface, as the hole starts, straighten up a little in the direction you want to offset the hole but not completely, you should end up with an offset hole that goes off a little bit of an angle which obviously your plug and fixing will too. Its difficult to explain in words... so hope you got that!

thezappa · 20 Dec 2020 at 13:49

JayMax said:
I'd fill it with something like this:
https://www.tetrion.co.uk/product/hard-as-rock-filler-2/

When I hung the mirror in our lounge the brick was breaking up as I drilled and the hole became very large. I filled the hole with that filler and while it was wet I put the plug in and let I dry in place, worked really well.
Also that filler is really hard.

pp111 · 20 Dec 2020 at 15:01

Yep, agree with the others, a hard filler. If you want it instant then use a chemical mortar ~ which is basically an epxoy type substance that looks like cement.

Duke · 20 Dec 2020 at 19:02

Fill the existing hole
Drill new hole
????
Profit

NoobCannon · 20 Dec 2020 at 22:05

These things are a life saver for situations like this.

My house has concrete walls so is a nightmare to get a cleanly drilled hole so just wrap the plugs in one of these.

WETNFIX (20 Discs) - Fixing Wall Plugs Fast! No Need to Fill or redrill. Free UK delivery https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01B2ULW7G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_pP83FbC3FAV23