In article , Martin Angove
writes
Since I'm likely to be doing a lot of wiring work in the future, I've
been looking at various tools to make my life easier, and a nice shiny
new SDS drill is top of the list. Maybe we'll talk about what else I
should get later, but for now what I want to know is, are the
"Electrician's Box Sinker" devices (e.g. Screwfix d74206 / d91913) any
good?

Mine is the original Screwfix one, and it is good, including in the
engineering-hardness bricks we have here.

I've largely solved the dust problem: Bin-liner sized clear plastic bags
taped to the wall with masking tape - cut off one bottom corner to pass
the drill's plug through, then tape up, with around 1m of cable inside
for ease of manipulation. You hold the drill through the plastic bag. I
did this in one of the children's bedrooms, and hardly needed to run the
hoover over the carpet where I'd been working afterwards.

Pros and cons (YMMV):

+ Cuts nicely to depth, leaving a farly smooth back to the box.
+ The square cutter gives a nice clean hole
+ It is fast. Takes around 5-10 mins to do a hole, with far less making
good than when I've used other methods.
- The square cutter *does* jam, but not a disaster
- using it for double boxes is tricky, so I made up a MDF template to
drill pilot holes - works a treat.
- the square cutter can slip round when you start (although
it's SDS mounting can rotate WRT the cutter, you *must*
have rotary stop for safety, in case it jams). It helps to have an
'assistant' hold a straight edge horizontal on the top of the cutter
as you start to cut. Once it's started it's fine.

Mine has done around 50-60 boxes so far. It doesn't look blunt yet, and
I'd be tempted to try grinding it carefully when it eventually goes.

On balance, I like it a lot. In block/weaker brickwork, it would be even
better. It's not cheap, but IMHO, the ease of doing an irritatingly
awkward job makes it worth it. Having said that, the core drill method
suggested elsewhere sounds brilliant to get the depth. If you're going
for a good quality, clutch-equipped SDS drill it might be worth it.

Regards,

Simonm.

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