Oren wrote:
On Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:02:31 -0700, Smitty Two
wrote:

What could it be that is hard as steel one inch below the stucco?

I'll let others speculate on what you're hitting, but steel can be
readily drilled.

A shear wall can have heavy steel straps or steel plate. A call to the
local permit office may give answers specific to the locality.

.. 2 cents


Excellent point. Especially if the home is in an earthquake prone area.
There is a lot of steel added to such homes due to the effects of
earthquakes.