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best tool for drilling Brick House, for ductless lines

GW
GW Member Posts: 4,691
Anyone have any tips on tooling for drilling brick homes? I have an older Hilti hammer drill with core bits, but it's not fun hammering away at someones brick house. I'm talking 2 1/2 to 3"
Gary Wilson
Wilson Services, Inc
Northampton, MA
gary@wilsonph.com

Comments

  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,419
    Can you use a new core bit w/o the hammer function?
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,616
    I picked up a diamond drill bit, 4" in dia, for about $35 on ePay, along with a brand-spank-me new (cheap) wet core drill for IIRC $160ish to drill into my chimney when I relocated my water heater. Worked like a champ, but that 4" bit was a little big for the drill—started smelling a little hot towards the end.

    But, to do it professionally, I can only recommend a Hilti dry core, with the fantastically awesome dust collector. With the setup I used, there was. no. dust. Really. Maybe a teaspoon laying around the edges of the core, enough that you could just blow it away. None in the air. Honest. I had no trouble drilling through the floors in occupied office spaces. That clean.

    They are mighty proud of it. But it's worth it, for sure.

  • GroundUp
    GroundUp Member Posts: 1,889
    For smaller holes like that I use a dry core drill. I don't do enough of it to justify buying one, but the last few times has been ~$50 a day to rent a nice Husquvarna or Hilti handheld with dry core bit. Heck of a lot cleaner and easier than trying to chain drill with a hammer bit. Anything over 4" I go with a mounted unit. Core EZ now makes a mounted drill with the anchor actually inside the bit, so there is no unsightly anchor after the hole is drilled. Uses a Metabo grinder type powerhead. Haven't used one yet, but I know a guy that has one and it looks slick as snot
    Mikejosephmarkowski
  • AMservices
    AMservices Member Posts: 610
    You every see "casino"?
    Joe pesci's gang robs the bank by drilling a lot of small holes and braking the blocks with a hammer.

    I use a 1/4" masonry bit and can make any size holes, in any brick or block wall in 20 minutes.

    Dosen't have to be round. A square hole will work and use mortar to fill gaps
    1Matthiasjosephmarkowski
  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 4,691
    Thanks I’ll look into that!
    Gary Wilson
    Wilson Services, Inc
    Northampton, MA
    gary@wilsonph.com
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    never an easy solution. if you had a ton of holes you would rent or buy something. I agree with @GroundUp & @ratio about using dry core for that size. over 4" go to wet core.

    I usually use the Hilti with the core bit if only doing a hole or two.

    I hesitate to recommend this but a dry core bit will fit a 7' or 9" angle grinder. Problem is no dust collection and the angle grinder has no clutch like the dry core machines have. It tends to make thing exiting when your on a ladder but I have done it. The dry core bits and grinders all have 5/8-11 threads
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,616
    I've used a dry core bit in an angle grinder. Very dangerous. It sounded like a jet engine winding up, and I broke 2" & 4" bits because of high temps due to high tool speed.

    But, it got the holes done.

  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 4,691
    Ok thanks all!
    Gary Wilson
    Wilson Services, Inc
    Northampton, MA
    gary@wilsonph.com
  • Tom_133
    Tom_133 Member Posts: 883
    I am not proud of this or suggesting it, but, I was installing my own sewer line into the city manhole on the 4th of july. The manhole is 6" thick so I bought a cheap 4" core bit on amazon, then strapped that to my hole hawg and with hose in hand went to it. Worked great, 20 minutes later I installed link seals and I was back filling.

    It worked in a pinch, and sadly I will probably do it again but not exactly a great choice.
    Tom
    Montpelier Vt
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,616
    Was that the $35 core bit? IDK how they can make it that cheap. Even though they won't last as long as an expensive one, at that price, you can afford to buy a new one for each hole.
  • Tom_133
    Tom_133 Member Posts: 883
    I trip over twenties to pick up a nickel, so I can assure you I am not the economist on this forum, but I figured the same thing. Even if I get one hole, lets do it.
    Tom
    Montpelier Vt
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,588
    What tools are you using? Not all"hammer drills" are the same.

    For example there's a huge difference between a cordless that vibrates and an actual roto hammer

    I'm hoping you're using something like a Sdsplus or sdsmax rotohammer. A good sds max rotohammer and a good core bit should cut through that like butter
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • GW
    GW Member Posts: 4,691
    we currently have the hammer roto drill, it's a bit of a thumper.
    Gary Wilson
    Wilson Services, Inc
    Northampton, MA
    gary@wilsonph.com