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  • ^ Thanks man that's really kind. I'm out in the boonies (North Kent coast) these days though. Have arranged to borrow a big boy roto-hammer off a neighbor this evening.

    ^^ Was a proper SDS bit but only a cordless percussion drill. Stopped in its tracks.

  • Be careful: if we are talking Victorian then they often have an L-shaped (or similar) iron bar toothed into the brickwork to help support the brick lintel. This would be right at the opening though, which I guess you are drilling above.

    If it's concrete, then a standard hammer will do, but an SDS will be tens of times faster.

    I've fitted quite a few fireplaces and mantelpieces in Victorian houses, so can offer what advice I have about those.

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