hammerdrill bits compare

[scwirenut]

i have a project will I will be drilling about a 1" hole in a brick house x 88 , I have a SDS max drill and in the past have been using regular masonry bits. I have considered using a dry diamond core bit instead, mainly for a neater hole. I dont have experience with these core bits, do they last as long?, do they drill as quick?, will they really produce a neater more defined hole in brick siding? what are the pros and cons of each type. TY

 

[LarryFine]

do they last as long?

I can't claim to know that, but I do have both types. I think 1" is a bit (pardon the pun) small for a core bit, but if the wall isn't too thick, it would work.

do they drill as quick?

Again, I can't say, as I haven't used both types in a given size. The core bit doesn't have to remove as much material.

will they really produce a neater more defined hole in brick siding?

Definitely, yes, the core bit makes a much smoother hole, but how important is that in a 1" hole? Will the hole be sealed afterward?

what are the pros and cons of each type.

The solid bit can drill a long hole uninterrupted, while the core bit stops when the slug bottoms in the cup, and it must be broken out to continue.

The core bit does make a much cleaner hole, which matters more in larger sizes. Again, for 1", I use a solid bit. It's much tougher.

 

[billsnuff]

didn't know they came that small

didn't know they came that small

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Core-Drill-Bits

 

[LarryFine]

The ones I have look like this:

Just how big do you need the hole to be?

 

[jrannis]

One good thing about a core bit is that is doesn't blow out the other side as bad when you break through but 1" is kinda small to core unless you anticipate hitting rebar or something

 

[wawireguy]

Since you have 88 holes I'd look into renting a hand core drill. You won't have to worry about blowing out the brick as much and will get clean holes.

 

[dduffee260]

May I ask why your drilling 88 holes in a brick house? Can you cut out sheetrock easier? Looks like you are drilling to insulate the outside walls. We use Hilti or Bosch for dry core bits and they seem fine. Bosch is a tad less expensive.

 

[Cow]

Since you have 88 holes I'd look into renting a hand core drill. You won't have to worry about blowing out the brick as much and will get clean holes.

I'd probably go this route. Punching that many 1" holes in brick with a regular rotohammer bit sounds like your going to end up with loose or cracked bricks, cracked mortar joints, etc. A good hand core drill running coolant uses a little more finesse rather than hammering away at the brick like a rotohammer would. Slower but cleaner.

 

[brennan]

I have seen people use a grinder and a standard concrete core bit. I goes through fast.

 

[Smart $]

I have seen people use a grinder and a standard concrete core bit. I goes through fast.

Depends on the "hardness" of the brick. I've run into brick as hard as the hardest of glazed tiles, and that's no picnic using a hand-held dry core drill :wink:

 

[jusme123]

hilti DDC-E1

 

[jusme123]

http://hilti.com/

 

[MAK]

One good thing about a core bit is that is doesn't blow out the other side as bad when you break through but 1" is kinda small to core unless you anticipate hitting rebar or something

Can a core bit cut through rebar? I have never used them.

 

[iwire]

Can a core bit cut through rebar? I have never used them.

Yes, how easily depends on the bits design.

 

[scwirenut]

i have 88 units to upgrade from 100amp to 200amp, they are adding a range and its on a slab, ill have to go up and lb into brick above ceiling (gable end) 1 hole per unit. the hand core method is not gonna work cause im only gonna drill about 4 holes per day(rental fees), also being 10' up on a ladder makes it harder. my 13lb SDS Max is heavy enough!

 

[Fulthrotl]

i have 88 units to upgrade from 100amp to 200amp, they are adding a range and its on a slab, ill have to go up and lb into brick above ceiling (gable end) 1 hole per unit. the hand core method is not gonna work cause im only gonna drill about 4 holes per day(rental fees), also being 10' up on a ladder makes it harder. my 13lb SDS Max is heavy enough!

the diamond dry bits i have look about like larry's.... they will cut ok....
as long as you don't have any rebar, that is. kiss a piece of rebar, and you
will lose all the teeth instantly. if you are drilling deep, you have to start the
bit with a pilot, and then remove the pilot to drill deep... you also have to
keep breaking the cookie out every inch or so. they aren't really very fast,
to be honest. i had to drill fourteen 2 1/2" holes thru a 12" thick pool shell
with one, and i thought i was gonna die, it took so long....

wet core bits are a different deal. you've got diamond grit, not segments
brazed onto a shell. they cut rebar nicely, and pretty quick. you can use
a wet drill handheld.. i've done 3" holes with one handheld. works great
especially if you are going thru two brick courses with slurry in between.
you can go about a foot without having to remove the cookie.

if i had 88 of the things to do, i'd go rent a wet saw, buy a bit for it,
and drill all of them at once.. probably take a full day, with moving the
ladder, power, water and whatnot. if i rented a wet drill, i'd make sure to
get a pressurized water tank to go with it... you won't need much water,
and it's portable and fast. i'd put the water tank, drill, and my little generator
on a cart, and haul a$$.

 

[Cow]

if i rented a wet drill, i'd make sure to
get a pressurized water tank to go with it... you won't need much water,
and it's portable and fast. i'd put the water tank, drill, and my little generator
on a cart, and haul a$$.

Exactly, set the new service on your first apartment and get a good set of measurements in relation to where the LB needs to be above the panel. Get an apprentice or laborer with a cart full of tools and get them to boring all the holes ahead of time with those measurements while you do the services behind them.

 

[MAK]

Yes, how easily depends on the bits design.

So what are the differences in the bits? I thought they would all be basically the same just different sizes. I have seen regular hammer drill bits that are marketed as rebar cutting bits. Never used those either. Could use a little education on the subject.

 

[wawireguy]

I talked to the guy coreing some holes for us earlier this week and he was telling me how some bits are softer for the hand drills vs harder for the mounted style. Perhaps one of those types drills rebar faster? What I know is a new bit with decent water cuts rebar pretty good and a old bit doesn't seem as effective. As far as coreing on a ladder I'd rather use a hand core drill than a large roto hammer off a ladder. Core has a nice clutch and drills a good hole without blowing everything out.

 

[chris500]

Anytime we have had a large number of holes to core, we will sub-contract it to someone who can do it much more effectively that we can.

If cost is a factor, and cost is always a factor, get a couple of prices. You may be surprised.