A device for measuring resistance to drilling in a material being investigated, especially wood, with a drilling appliance (1) driving a drill bit (2) into the material and a measuring device for measuring the mechanical resistance to the drill bit (2) upon its penetration into the material, is configured and modified in regard to a secure measurement even in tight space conditions around the material being investigated such that the drilling appliance (1) is coordinated with several U-shaped guide elements (4) which can move along a drilling axis (3) with legs (5, 6) of different length and a base region (7) joining the two legs (5, 6), and in each longer leg (6) a passage (8) is formed for the drill bit (2) in order to guide the drill bit (2).