Core drill or SDS for a large hole in the wall?

[HappyHippyDad]

Evening all...

On the few occassions I have fitted a kitchen extractor fan the builder has already cut the hole! This time I'm cutting it!

I have a cordless makita SDS which although great I have ruled out as not powerful enough but I am unsure whether to get the correct tool for the job, i.e a core drill or a corded SDS which would be useful for many other things as well as cutting great big holes.

I'd be interested to know if you guys just use your SDS (with clutch) or if you use a core drill? I'm also considering the 'drill lots of holes around the circumference and chisel out' method but I expect that takes much longer and is messy, plus it's always good to get a new tool!

Expect It'll be a 150mm diameter for the fan.

Cheers chaps..

 

[Octopus]

240v core drill

 

[Bobster]

If you don't do a lot, maybe hire one first. Try before you buy?

 

[Octopus]

If you don't do a lot, maybe hire one first. Try before you buy?

A good idea - I hired one a few times before buying - its far easier to have one and a kit of cutters in the garage then having to drive to get it and then again to take it back!

 

[Andy78]

I use my little 2kg dewalt SDS drill as I don't find myself core cutting that often. It works fine for me. If you don't do them that often either then maybe get a cheap drill that will do the job, as well as other jobs.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

240v core drill

Have you tried it with an SDS Murdoch? If you have, what is it that you didn't like compared to the core drill?

 

[Octopus]

Have you tried it with an SDS Murdoch? If you have, what is it that you didn't like compared to the core drill?

I used my SDS drill once - never again.

My Makita core drill is lighter in weight and its easier to control the speed too.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I used my SDS drill once - never again.

My Makita core drill is lighter in weight and its easier to control the speed too.

Why not? Was it really that bad? Is the SDS much heavier and that much more difficult to control?

 

[Octopus]

Why not? Was it really that bad? Is the SDS much heavier and that much more difficult to control?

My SDS is really heavy and it doesn't have a clutch!

 

[amlu]

been doing many times with my 240v 2kg bosch sds. it works ok, got to be gentle, when your core cutter is straight in the hole then it works, when not the clutch with engage and you hear that you doing it wrong. have couple of breaks when drilling dont let your drill run too hot. you may need to use a chisel every now and then and break up some material inside the hole, makes it easier to drill when going deeper. old bricks and breeze block are easy to drill, when theres engineering bricks on the way it takes bit longer.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

My SDS is really heavy and it doesn't have a clutch!

Fair enough!

 

[Marvo]

I'd be very wary of core drilling without a clutch. Our core drill is one that has a frame that is bolted to the wall or slab before you start cutting. The last idiot that tried to use it free-hand didn't fare very well.

 

[Richard Burns]

I would tend to say that for an easier time use a core drill, but if you are only doing the odd hole then an SDS will be OK, if the SDS is not too powerful then it will suffer the strain, whereas a core drill will keep on going.
You have to way up the cost and convenience benefits
Is it worth buying a core drill for one hole every year?
Is it worth burning out an SDS for two holes a week?
Amlu's information is good, don't try to do to much at once.
But it does take a while!

 

[DaveyD]

Hi HHD

I have used the Hitachi DH28PC for a few years.

I core once a week on average.

 

[Delboybully]

If you dont have a mains SDS drill then buy one and use that for chasing and core drilling etc. When you are more flush, buy a core drill and you will wonder why you never bought one ages ago.

I used to use my mains SDS for core drilling, several months ago I bought a core drill. Even though I dont use it that often it was still worth buying. You wont believe the difference. I no longer dread drilling holes for bathroom extractor fans etc!

Two different builders I regularly work for have gone a bought core drills after seeing me use mine!

 

[davesparks]

On the rare occasions I can't convince someone else to drill the big holes I borrow a core drill from my very good friend the plumber.

 

[NDG Elecs]

been doing many times with my 240v 2kg bosch sds. it works ok, got to be gentle, when your core cutter is straight in the hole then it works, when not the clutch with engage and you hear that you doing it wrong. have couple of breaks when drilling dont let your drill run too hot. you may need to use a chisel every now and then and break up some material inside the hole, makes it easier to drill when going deeper. old bricks and breeze block are easy to drill, when theres engineering bricks on the way it takes bit longer.

A man after my own heart! I use exactly same drill and technique..

The chiselling out bit....I generally core til around 60mm deep and chisel the rest out. The 60mm gives ample depth to get your red plugs drilled in.

A gas lad I know uses his Makita SDS and has a core drill too. He said there wasn't much difference in his view re time to get through the wall. But others obviously disagree.

If you are not likely to do many cores then I would stick with a mains SDS. Battery ones would be no good.

 

[Geordie Spark]

I use my little 2kg dewalt SDS drill as I don't find myself core cutting that often. It works fine for me. If you don't do them that often either then maybe get a cheap drill that will do the job, as well as other jobs.

Make sure that this "cheap drill" you buy has a clutch that will slip before your wrist gets broken!

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Make sure that this "cheap drill" you buy has a clutch that will slip before your wrist gets broken!

Or your Jaw, know of a navvy that was drilling with a core a really narrow alley, face (!) height - the drill jammed and the main body went round and round smacking him in the face repeatedly.

apparently he held his bloodied, broken jaw and tried to say "does it look bad?" And then carried on one handed, the other hand holding his jaw.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Cheers all..

I'd love to buy both but it's just too expensive, so I think I'll try with a mains SDS for a few holes!!

Thanks for all the advice guys..

ps.. Expect I'll buy a core drill in a couple of years and think "Why did I leave it so long!!"