Core drills

[The Goose]

I have been using my sds drill and some old core cutters for core holes but I am getting bored with that now as it seems like such hard work!
I have read some of the posts on here and the Marcrist seems to be the one to get. But which one?
Is the ddm1 any good?
Does the ddm3 have hammer action?
If not does it not go with the percussion cores like the pc850?
Or are the ccu850 type a better bet?
So what is the best to get?
Do I need a new machine or just new cutters?
Or a different make entirely?

Usually the biggest hole is 5" for flues, soil etc and I often seem to do 28-30mm for sleeves for pipework etc and the usual waste pipes etc.
A firm I used to work for gave us the Makita drill which seemed a nice bit of kit but I think I have only ever used cheap core cutters as Sometimes that was a struggle.
Thanks in advance

 

[The Goose]

Thanks for the replies guys.
Got a lot to think about here.

I have looked at the Milwaukee one but it's not far off the price of a Ddm3 which seems to get good reviews.
Does anyone use the percussion cores from Marcrist?

 

[lame plumber]

gave my sparky ddm3 equivalent a good beating today, 18 inches plus of stone n rubble and brick facings. Only issue was the "free" 110v transformer wasnt upto it and had to go get my big one fm home. Otherwise it only took over 2 hours of constant grinding to break out and one replacement core bit! seems stone n rubble isnt on the list of core bit materials

 

[Nostrum]

I've got the Makita and it's brilliant. I use percussion too, eats most bricks and I've seen no difference in wear, if it did it would more than pay for itself in time saved. I can go through most cavity walls in less than 5 minutes. The clutch is excellent too, happy to use it one handed as the clutch works very smoothly.

Just about out the only Makita gear ive been really pleased with.

 

[plumben]

I've got the Makita and it's brilliant. I use percussion too, eats most bricks and I've seen no difference in wear, if it did it would more than pay for itself in time saved. I can go through most cavity walls in less than 5 minutes. The clutch is excellent too, happy to use it one handed as the clutch works very smoothly.

Just about out the only Makita gear ive been really pleased with.

We've got the Makita its the only Makita drill id buy again if it broke but that's my preference

 

[lame plumber]

my arthritic wrist has given me gip all day, seems coring stone n rubble put the clutch, drill and me to test. I look forward to finding a house to work on that just has 2 courses to cut through, seems they dont exist on my patch.

 

[gasmanrob]

Lame why don't you invest in a bolt on unit? Then all you need to to is wind a lever in and let the drill do the work ok it's an investment but protection of yourself plus you seem to get a lot of these stone walls. Look what you've done to get baffles out of oil boilers regarding your rig...

 

[lame plumber]

the wall I cored on friday wouldnt have been suitable to get a rig attached imho, they are great on flat concrete on the ground but a beggar to attach to an unstable victorian wall. not sure where you coming from with oil boiler baffles?

 

[Nostrum]

the wall I cored on friday wouldnt have been suitable to get a rig attached imho, they are great on flat concrete on the ground but a beggar to attach to an unstable victorian wall. not sure where you coming from with oil boiler baffles?

Cores are no good for this sort of wall.


I used to dig these sort of walls out by hand in half the time. Once you've broken through the first build up, dig all the crap out with a long cold chisel and with your hands in there. Then just pop a hole through the last bit with a metre long bit and lump hammer the outside in. Jobs a goodun!

I used to fit oil boilers non stop down in Cornwall and this method worked best every time.

 

[lame plumber]

Cores are no good for this sort of wall.


I used to dig these sort of walls out by hand in half the time. Once you've broken through the first build up, dig all the crap out with a long cold chisel and with your hands in there. Then just pop a hole through the last bit with a metre long bit and lump hammer the outside in. Jobs a goodun!

I used to fit oil boilers non stop down in Cornwall and this method worked best every time.

good in theory, but round here you'd end up with a new window if not a door! Any movement and the whole wall starts to collapse round your ears, having tried all methods, slow n steady with a core n drill is the only way I have found to work sensibly. I gave up hammering out huge rocks years ago when I first converted my place into apartments.

 

[gasmanrob]

the wall I cored on friday wouldnt have been suitable to get a rig attached imho, they are great on flat concrete on the ground but a beggar to attach to an unstable victorian wall. not sure where you coming from with oil boiler baffles?

Thought you had a rig with a hoist for removing the plates out of Aga's due to a bad back

 

[Nostrum]

good in theory, but round here you'd end up with a new window if not a door! Any movement and the whole wall starts to collapse round your ears, having tried all methods, slow n steady with a core n drill is the only way I have found to work sensibly. I gave up hammering out huge rocks years ago when I first converted my place into apartments.

Good in practice as well, worked all around Devon and Cornwall, including North Devon!

 

[goz666]

Has anyone ever had the clutch replaced on a Makita 8406. Had mine about 5-6 years now and rang the local stockist last year about a service and they told me to throw it in the bin and buy a new one as it isn't worth it ???

 

[Mike Jackson]

I had the Makita 8406C core drill and it did me good service over the years I had it. Repaired it a few times but last year it gave up the ghost. I bought the Milwaukee DD2-160XE drill and it's streets ahead of the Makita. Rips through a wall in less than half the time of the Makita.

 

[Jimmy73]

Id go with a second hand Hilti!! Worth there weight in gold!!

 

[The Goose]

Thanks for all the replies and advice guys. It's much appreciated.

I decided to get the milwaukee drill and the Marcross ccu850 drill bits.

The drill arrived today just in time to do a few holes. 2x2 inch holes and 1x5 inch.
It all works a treat. The easiest and fastest holes I have drilled. The 5 inch one was at a 45 degree angle through a solid outside wall, made of very hard bricks, and it did it no problem at all.
I am still covered in dust though!