A 20-year vet told me to never use a standard drill bit on old plaster, and my last job in Philly proved him right.

Tbh, I ignored him and used my regular bit on a 1920s house, which caused a huge chunk of ceiling to crack off and cost me half a day to fix, so what's your go-to method for drilling in ancient walls?

4 comments

4 Comments

evan_burns952mo ago

That's a classic lesson to learn the hard way! Honestly, the key is a masonry bit and going slow with almost no pressure. Let the bit's rotation do the work, and clear the dust often so it doesn't bind and crack the plaster.

grace5082mo agoMost Upvoted

Totally agree, but people always forget the water. A little spray bottle makes a huge difference with dust and heat. It keeps the bit from getting too hot and helps the plaster stay cool so it doesn't crack. Dry drilling is just asking for trouble.

morganhill2mo ago

Water is the real game changer, no doubt.

oliviagrant2mo ago

Old plaster is a perfect example of how modern shortcuts fail on old materials. People try to force a quick fix with the wrong tool and end up with a bigger mess. It's the same with old wiring or plumbing, you can't just slap new parts on a hundred-year-old system. The right method, like a masonry bit and patience, respects what's already there. Rushing through it always costs more time later.