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I need some guidance in this DIY wizardry. I've always had trouble drilling the ceiling in my house, but now I'm having the same trouble with a wall. I've relegated myself to avoid drilling at all costs but I want to know what am I doing wrong.

I've already used the hammer action of my drill, but with the same result.

I can drill very easily for a few millimeters, and then I can't get past that. Here are some photos of my latest failures along with the drill and the bit I'm using. The tools are very old, they belonged to my father, so I wonder if that's the problem.

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    What is the construction of your house? Plaster over wood studs? Poured concrete? – Daniel Griscom Nov 26 '16 at 17:34
  • Does it feel like the drill has any percussive action when you're drilling? It wouldn't be too dramatic... much like a strong buzzing. (I'm wondering if your drill isn't getting into hammer mode properly.) – Aloysius Defenestrate Nov 26 '16 at 18:19
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    OK admit it . . . your 'house' is the jail house. You are trying to get us to participate in a jailbreak! Or is this some unusual architect design concrete house? Where is it? – Jim Stewart Nov 26 '16 at 20:59
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    I hate to suggest this, but are you sure the drill is turning the right direction? It should be rotating clockwise as you're holding it against the wall. – Mark Nov 26 '16 at 21:08
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    You might need a machine with more hammering energy. – Gunnish Nov 26 '16 at 21:31
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Are you sure your not using a masonry drill bit? It will drill through the drywall, but you will have a tough time if you hit wood behind it.

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  • Apparently I am using masonry bits. I'll try with general purpose ones next. – Smig Nov 27 '16 at 17:27
  • It's hard to see, but I don't think there's wood back there. A general purpose drill bit would just grind itself dull on stone. – Aloysius Defenestrate Nov 27 '16 at 20:53
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Your photos show a masonry drill bit. General purpose drill bits look like these. enter image description here

I cannot tell what material the wall is made of from your photos. One looks likely to be sheetrock (gypsum board), but the other is uncertain.

A masonry bit eventually will grind through sheetrock, but is highly ineffective on wood—probably igniting it with enough persistence. (However, the masonry bit will do great in concrete.)

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  • I'm going to get some general purpose bits this week and see if it makes a difference. – Smig Nov 27 '16 at 17:26

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