Recommendations for cheap core drill, infrequent use, usually 40mm max

[WaterTight]

Not so cheap it will be hard work but not overkill for couple uses a month for 40mm holes.

I've tried to core a few 40mm holes with this

Bosch GBH 2400 2kg SDS Plus Hammer Drill 240V | NoLinkingToThis

And it works but keeps locking so guess not what it's meant for. Or it's on it's way out. Or I was holding it backwards. Or it was actually a dream. Come to think of it I was being assisted by a baboon in a tuxedo.

 

[Guest123]

I bought the Sparky one from Screwfix. Really good value and loads of power. I bought the Erbauer dry core drill set to go with it and both are still going strong.

 

[SimonG]

Dancin will be along shortly to persuade you to get a Marcrist 🙂

 

[Roger Welton]

Marcist are very good, but prob a overkill for the odd 40 mm core

 

[Kyle87]

I've got the Titan 5kg drill to start me off.
Its got a safety clutch and will get you through a wall without too much trouble.

For 60 -70 quid it's perfect for me as I'm just starting out. Will replace with a much more expensive one in the future. If it dies within a year then it's ok because still under warranty.

Not the most professional looking thing.
Looks cheap as hell to be honest but its a sensible option for me

 

[JCplumb]

Was browsing the core bits on screwfix from the above link and spotted this Plumbers core drill set
What a waste of time for a plumber. None of the sizes are useful for a plumber as far as I can see. I have a 35mm and a 43mm core for wastes and that's it, neither of which are in this set. There's a 30mm? a 50mm? and a 66mm?
And to get back on topic, I just use my Dewalt SDS very slowly to core drill, the max rating for masonry is about 25mm for my drill but I think that's based on full bore drilling and I guess it doesn't apply to core drilling. Either way, slow and steady means I still get to use the drill tomorrow 🙂

 

[kozak1968]

Try spraying water at the core when drilling, that way it cuts easier and you will get away with your drill.

 

[stoker122]

Try spraying water at the core when drilling, that way it cuts easier and you will get away with your drill.

I find if the dust gets wet it packs around the cutter and jams it.
How much water should you use Kozak?

 

[kozak1968]

Use a drinking water bottle with a hole pierced in the cap and keep the core well lubricated. It will stick if it gets too dry.

 

[stoker122]

Nice one, will give it a go 🙂

 

[stevetheplumber]

Was browsing the core bits on screwfix from the above link and spotted this Plumbers core drill set
What a waste of time for a plumber. None of the sizes are useful for a plumber as far as I can see. I have a 35mm and a 43mm core for wastes and that's it, neither of which are in this set. There's a 30mm? a 50mm? and a 66mm?
And to get back on topic, I just use my Dewalt SDS very slowly to core drill, the max rating for masonry is about 25mm for my drill but I think that's based on full bore drilling and I guess it doesn't apply to core drilling. Either way, slow and steady means I still get to use the drill tomorrow 🙂

they are tct core bits a world of difference between those and diamond core drills for the tct you need a hammer drill and they are not very good at clean cuts

 

[Roger Welton]

TCT bits have there place though, as you say they don't leave such a clean hole

 

[AWheating]

Was browsing the core bits on screwfix from the above link and spotted this Plumbers core drill set
What a waste of time for a plumber. None of the sizes are useful for a plumber as far as I can see. I have a 35mm and a 43mm core for wastes and that's it, neither of which are in this set. There's a 30mm? a 50mm? and a 66mm?
And to get back on topic, I just use my Dewalt SDS very slowly to core drill, the max rating for masonry is about 25mm for my drill but I think that's based on full bore drilling and I guess it doesn't apply to core drilling. Either way, slow and steady means I still get to use the drill tomorrow 🙂

30mm for 28mm copper sleeve?
50mm for pushfit elbow to fit into wall?
66mm for 2" waste?

maybe.🙂

 

[PlumbersMate]

I use the diamond engagement ring I was going to give to my ex

 

[Toxic Ted]

Just make sure its got a clutch that works. had a cheap one years ago and it locked up without slipping. It opened my eye up and threw me off the ladder........spent some money after that!Some tools need to be good ones and this is one of them.

 

[peteheat]

If money is an issue or your main drill is too good for using a core bit, I use Hilti and don't want the repair bills so
I got a cheap drill in B&Q along with a core bit set.

Remember to keep the receipts safe, so far they have replaced the drill three times and the core bit set twice 🙂

Very nice people never question a return so long as you have the receipt.

Builder I know swears by them, every few months he goes to B&Q asks for a wheel barrow empties all the power tools
out of the van even the ones that are working and gets everything exchanged for new.

 

[tamz]

If you don't mind a bit of breakthrough use tungsten cores with the sds you already have.

 

[cr0ft]

I use a Bosch SDS Professional drill. It's got a single-clutch mechanism so it helps prevent the drill violently spinning when the bit catches. Doesn't stop it completely though but I've learned to get used to it!

A good core drill set and a cheapish drill works better than the other way round in my opinion.

 

[SafeGasInstall]

every core will be locking if you re not keeping it straight ...
never start on a angle and then try to change direction as it will be locking all the time
I had the Bosch and it was just good to core 4" 5 a week
but then go hilti and this is the daddy
will say get your self the Bosch and do it properly and it will last long time to start with

 

[peteheat]

every core will be locking if you re not keeping it straight ...
never start on a angle and then try to change direction as it will be locking all the time
I had the Bosch and it was just good to core 4" 5 a week
but then go hilti and this is the daddy
will say get your self the Bosch and do it properly and it will last long time to start with

I agree, the one thing that annoys me about the expensive drills is they don't come with a level / bubble built in at the top where a lot of the cheap drills do.

I know the manufacturers are trying to make the cheap drill look better but I find the level very handy especially when using long or big diameter drill bits when on my own.

Worst combination is an expensive kit and an idiot helper who appears to aiming for the sky or the foundation.

 

[SafeGasInstall]

I never let anyone uses my dimoned drill 🙂
there was one exception

 

[REDSAW]

If you don't mind a bit of breakthrough use tungsten cores with the sds you already have.

whats your set up then tam, how bigs the core?

 

[tamz]

I've got more drills than a horse could sh..
Depends what i'm doing which one i'll use.
Armeg tungsten's up to about 54mm are cheap and go through most things when used in a sds faster than a diamond core. There is a small amount of breakthrough depending on what you are drilling. You are restricted to about 12 -15" long tho depending on which ones you have.
SDS max up to 56mm and 760 long if you don't mind blowing the back off something is the fastest
Diamond cores if you need to be neat and for flues. Extension bars take it as long as you need to go. Tend to jamb up a bit on smaller cores unless you use water.

 

[REDSAW]

can you get 120mm tungsten? you never see the 1'' around the flue hole as the cover goes over it?

 

[Roger Welton]

I have a 150mm tungsten core don;t even remember what job I got it for, did the job ok though, as tamz saws, hole is not tidy.

UK Drills

 

[TBServices]

I have a 150mm tungsten core don;t even remember what job I got it for, did the job ok though, as tamz saws, hole is not tidy.

UK Drills

Crikey they're cheap. Never used tungsten, they a lot faster than diamond cores?

 

[Roger Welton]

About the same dependant on material, but they can punch out large sections of the external face of the wall. I tend to use them when I don't want to risk damaging my diamond bits.

 

[TBServices]

How do they cope with hard old bricks?

 

[Roger Welton]

Slowly, diamond core for bricks for me

 

[tamz]

The bigger tungsten bits are only really any use in an sds max gun as a sds plus will lack the torque to turn it.

 

[Mike Jackson]

One big advantage of TCT over dry diamond is the ability to core concrete.

 

[REDSAW]

am i right in thinking there not as dusty either?

 

[tamz]

Not as dusty but give you industrial deafness.
You can always put that in the book for your pension :lol:

 

[REDSAW]

pardon?.

simonf will be deaf in the morning due to a clump round the ear, when the woman next door who's washing was out finds all her clothes brown.lol

 

[peteheat]

I use a long (1m) 6mm to give me a pilot hole on both sides of the wall, very little if any damage that way.

 

[Kyle87]

I use a long (1m) 6mm to give me a pilot hole on both sides of the wall, very little if any damage that way.

I do the same but with a 10mm bit. I'd have thought a 6mm 1meter but wouldn't be very strong for going all the way through a wall

 

[peteheat]

6mm matches the pilot bits on my core drills