Putting up blinds and hitting lintel

[freddiemercurystwin]

What age is the house? If relatively modern, sometimes you can see the metal lintel above the window head on the outside, though this is no guarantee it will also be metal inside.

 

[savvysquirrel]

What age is the house? If relatively modern, sometimes you can see the metal lintel above the window head on the outside, though this is no guarantee it will also be metal inside.

It's a flat and was built approx. 1960's

 

[amatureleccy]

You could try drilling a small pilot hole first using a small 2 or 3 mm bit before drilling with the larger drill bit.

 

[sxturbo]

Use a multi construction drill bit, doesn't matter if it's wood, steel or concrete then.

You will also need a high speed drill with hammer action.

If your using a cordless not all are high speed and the hammer action can suck, it depends on the make and model of drill.

An small SDS (3kg sized) with a normal chuck attachment would be ideal.

 

[Smufter]

I'm having a similar problem myself at the moment. Putting some blinds up in the kitchen, first window went without a hitch because it was a full width blind and I was side mounting the brackets.
Second window I am having to top mount the brackets as the blind isn't quite full width (tiles come half way up the window). I've hit the concrete lintel and realised my drill bits aren't up to it.
Based on the 5* reviews, I've just bought a set of these and will be having another go at it today...
https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-extreme-2-masonry-drill-bit-set-5pcs/88598

Trouble is, the one I'm now trying to fit is directly above the kitchen sink so I'm limited where I can stand to get good leverage to give it a bit of "oink".
I'll go in with the smallest one first, see if I can get a guide hole going and then attack it with a bigger one...
Fingers crossed.

 

[savvysquirrel]

Update: I admitted defeat in the end and got a handyman to come round to help, it was concrete lintel and he managed to get through it with an SDS drill.

 

[JohnD]

I'm having a similar problem myself at the moment. Putting some blinds up in the kitchen, first window went without a hitch because it was a full width blind and I was side mounting the brackets.
Second window I am having to top mount the brackets as the blind isn't quite full width (tiles come half way up the window). I've hit the concrete lintel and realised my drill bits aren't up to it.
Based on the 5* reviews, I've just bought a set of these and will be having another go at it today...
https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-extreme-2-masonry-drill-bit-set-5pcs/88598

Trouble is, the one I'm now trying to fit is directly above the kitchen sink so I'm limited where I can stand to get good leverage to give it a bit of "oink".
I'll go in with the smallest one first, see if I can get a guide hole going and then attack it with a bigger one...
Fingers crossed.

it is also interesting to know what electric drill you have.

 

[Smufter]

it is also interesting to know what electric drill you have.

Ryobi hammer drill. Fully charged

 

[JohnD]

18v?

 

[opps]

Update: I admitted defeat in the end and got a handyman to come round to help, it was concrete lintel and he managed to get through it with an SDS drill.

I once sheared the head off a 7mm SDS bit when I hit the metal bar in a concrete lintel. I ordered some 4 flute Makita bits and they went through the metal bar without issue.