[Closed] Can i cut a core with a cheapish SDS drill.

Something like that ?
https://www.toolstation.com/dewalt-d25033k-3-mode-22mm-sds-hammer-drill/p69229?store=T4&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI79LLjbuI6QIVCLp3Ch1JeApgEAQYBSABEgLIUfD_BwE

Or is that too much monies ?

I'd buy the basic SDS and then hire* a top notch drill when you're core cutting.

You're going to have to hire the core cutting bits anyway.

* In my case i'd borrow it for a weekend from one of my site guys

What size core? Personally I've always just used an SDS to pepper drill the outline of the larger hole I'll need then chisel it out and tidy it up.

Don't forget core drills are designed to rotate slowly so depends how slow your SDS drill can go.

I've cut a few with my Makita SDS. Waste and overflow only though. Not sure I'd attack 100 mm hole with it. I just went steady and did it with frequent rests to let the drill cool.

As Perchy says you're better hiring. That said I cut 160mm cores with a Silverline SDS which has a VERY basic clutch. Its still enough to give a good jerk when it binds but does let go. However its a heavy bugger and if I wanted an SDS for everyday use I'd spend a bit more for something lighter.

What do you envisage cutting the core through? Unless its easy/light block / brick I'd just hire a proper one - with the core cutters. If the drill isn't up the the job you can end up with core bit jammed permanently in the masonry... says man who's central heating installer left a core-bit permanently  jammed in the wall in our spare bedroom 🙂

For the SDS... I'd only buy one for home use I'd only buy one if the drill you've got demonstrably can't cope. I've had an SDS drill for over a decade and work in all sorts of buildings and rarely actually need it - in the time it would take to go out the van and get and can just do the job with a drill driver. In industruial buildings sometimes - or drilling fixings into rocks - but there has only be one house I've worked in during all that time where a regular combi-drill did't work absolutely fine.

I've cut 150mm cores in concrete with the £60 Titan 6.3kg drill.

Things I found:
1) You expect it to rip your arms off, it doesn't really. My little handheld drill seems to want to do more harm to me! The weight and lower speeds make it pretty controllable.

2) Despite being 1500W it's still borderline, the core will jam if your arms get tires and the drill drops a bit and binds in the hole. Set it to max speed, it won't even turn on the lower speeds.

3) Keep the hole wet to stop the bit getting hot and the dust down, you have a choice of mess, dust everywhere, or a wet floor, there isn't a tidy way of doing it.

It takes forever if you have to go through a cavity wall with concrete blocks on both skins.

It by comparison takes seconds (with dust and bits flying everywhere) if you have to go through breeze blocks and brick!

I’d buy the basic SDS and then hire* a top notch drill when you’re core cutting.

Is exactly what I would suggest too.

And to continue the lessons learnt by the hapless heating installer....

Drill from the outside in, not from the inside out... that way on the second attempt after having to abandon the bit thats lodged permanently in the wall - you don't end up with the extenal masonry blowing out and leaving a grade A facade in a conservation area looking like its been hit by an artillery shell 🙂

Two skins of 30mm brick.

Patch the coring idea. It was just incase it was worth it for a small outlay.

Maccruiskeen- its for 20mm holes through said two skins for external light and some internal convenience in breaking up some areas of concrete. To be honest i hadn't considered my combi drill being up to it but for the vost of a long drill bit I'm game!

Outside in was already on the cards!

Buy decent  SDS drill bits anyway - They'll fit in the chuck of your combi and if it turns out your drill is struggling then they'll fit in any subsequent SDS you buy

Ah now that's a great bit of advice thanks!

Two skins of 30mm brick.

Lego?

Its not how big it is its what you do with it that counts

I dunno how that happened i wasn't even typing a measurements!

As jeffl says, chain drill the outline and then chisel out. For the odd one or 3 it's quicker than going to the hire shop.

Instead of spending 1/2 a day drilling 1 hole. Buy a makita sds rotary hammer /chisel drill and a proper bit for not much more than the underpowered one. And do the job in 10mim.
Then when you come to take tiles off or need to chisel out a fence post later on in life you have the equipment at hand.

Avoid silverline like covid 19 , everything they sell is cheep for a reason it's crap, if using an sds drill buy Bosch bits or another decent brand same with chisels

I got a 100-quid Bosch Blue SDS shortly before we moved out of our previous house and heartily wished I'd bought it earlier.

We did a lot of renovation in that house, which was an 1800s brick/stone built job and featured a lot of wiring chased in by hand with a cold chisel. The SDS would have saved me so much time and sore wrists!

By contrast our new house is a 1990s breeze block and brick construction, and the SDS has had relatively few outings.

However, one thing I have used it for is drilling 100mm cores, using my FIL's cheapo core drill (Titan I think). The SDS was about at the limit of it's capabilities here I think, but it did get there in the end. Wouldn't fancy trying it in a stone wall though.

I did an extractor fan through fairly tough old brick with a bosch green sds drill. Used a cheapish chucked core bit from bnq that went blunt so I just took it back afterwards as unsuitable for the job. Put it in the drill with the chuck not up super tight, so it could slip if it had to. Took a while to get through but made it

What about drilling in 2" then chiselling out that bit. then in another 2", then chisel out that bit. Little bit at a time breaking up as you go so the cutter isnt buried deeply in. The pilot hole should be deep enough so breaking away the brick will still leave it there to guide

Avoid silverline like covid 19 , everything they sell is cheep for a reason it’s crap, if using an sds drill buy Bosch bits or another decent brand same with chisels

My experience says otherwise. Honestly, the Silverline SDS my old man has is perfectly adequate, it's just an absolute pig of a size to work with. It managed to freestyle a 160mm core (expanded a 100mm cut using just a precut wood template) without too much drama and cuts fine when the pilot drill is fitted. It also as mentioned, has a clutch, something you have to pay good money for in better brands. You're glad of it when it does bind and you're up a ladder.

Same with a few of their things that I've seen, sure it's generic but so long as its not complex it will work fine.

If silverline sold mountain bikes it would be the equivalent of this, you could maybe go 5 miles on a forest track but it would probably pack in or hurt you

https://images.app.goo.gl/MmmJrYgg79mFMQxy6

Lazy meme is lazy. I'd rather walk away from a job without broken wrists or worse but if you think a clutchless will work crack on.

I'd be more inclined to compare it to a Mr Big. Looks like **** all, weighs the same as a small horse but gets the job done as well if not better than something almost twice the price. Also frequently mocked by folk who don't know the first thing about it.