Hi all,
I've been lurking here for the past few weeks in preparation for some
self-fit air conditioning I'm currently buying. I've got a lot useful
info from here so far and at risk of tying up several older threads I
want to ask a few more questions.

I'm going to need to drill some 60mm holes in brick walls. My flat is
of London brick/concrete construction and I don't anticipate much
trouble with this, however: I've got the el-cheapo [ferm] SDS drill
that all the sheds and screwfix sell cheap. I do not intend using this
with a core drill given the warnings of snags and wrist injury danger
so I'm looking to replace it. I've seen the Bosch GBH2-20SRE SDS drill
for =A366.09 from powertoolsuk.co.uk which is a great deal cheaper than
screwfix etc and appears to be up to the job, please tell me otherwise.
Has anyone bought from these guys and can you recommend them? They also
sell a cheap range of TCT and diamond core drills. Do you think I can
get away with TCT for what will be at most 3 holes in brickwork or am I
better off buying the diamond one.
Many questions I'm afraid but I'll gladly keep you all informed on job
progress for your efforts.
Mark.

I'm going to need to drill some 60mm holes in brick walls. My flat is
of London brick/concrete construction and I don't anticipate much
trouble with this, however: I've got the el-cheapo [ferm] SDS drill

Hi Mark, personally speaking I wouldn't put my SDS through the onslaught of
core drilling. I recently drilled 120mm, 40mm & 22mm holes through triple
brick and it wasn't easy, even with the beast of a drill I hired (see
www.pciq.co.uk/pics/drill.jpg - puts my SDS to shame! :-) ).

Anyway, I hired the whole shooting match for about £20.

Tips: Keep as straight as possible to avoid the drill snagging and WATCH
FOR BRICKS POPPING OUT THE OTHER SIDE!! Came *this close* very close to
pushing an entire brick out and it dropping through downstairs' window. Get
someone to watch from the other side while you're drilling. Not a lot you
can do about this unless drill through from both sides and meet in the
middle, but *there's no way on earth* you could use the thing I had up a
ladder.

It's also *incredibly* noisy so ear defenders are a sensible move.

Andy

Oops, I forgot to mention, I'll be able to drill from both sides as the
walls face onto a balcony. I'm hoping to be able to drill a long pilot
hole from inside through to the outside, and then drill the cores into
each side. I'm more worried about believing I can buy a 'cheap' TCT
core drill and have it last for long enough to do the job.
Mark.

each side. I'm more worried about believing I can buy a 'cheap' TCT
core drill and have it last for long enough to do the job.

I'd be surprised if it would last. Even the 'beast' snagged at times and
the torque clutch thing kicked in. How thick is the wall?

Andy

I *think* the wall is of standard brick with a cavity but don't quote
me on that. I don't know until I try. The flat is being rented out at
the moment but I'll be moving back in a couple of weeks. I can only
guess based on my previous experiences drilling holes there. For what
it's worth, the flat is mid 20th Century ex Local Authority. It's fully
bricked up on the outside but I don't know what the internal side of
exterior walls will be - is it likely to be breeze block or similar?
Sorry if it's all too vague still.
The other possibilty is that I forget drilling nice round holes and go
for brick removal.
Mark.

each side. I'm more worried about believing I can buy a 'cheap' TCT
core drill and have it last for long enough to do the job.

I'd be surprised if it would last. Even the 'beast' snagged at times and
the torque clutch thing kicked in. How thick is the wall?

It's only a 60mm. I've had no problem core drilling small holes like those,
even with a low powered, wrist shattering cheapie with a TCT bit, which has
lasted for several holes with no sign of expiring.

Obviously, I would have to recommend that a safety clutch is used, even if I
didn't follow my own advice.

Christian.

I'd be surprised if it would last. Even the 'beast' snagged at times
and
the torque clutch thing kicked in. How thick is the wall?

It's only a 60mm. I've had no problem core drilling small holes like
those,
even with a low powered, wrist shattering cheapie with a TCT bit, which
has
lasted for several holes with no sign of expiring.

Obviously, I would have to recommend that a safety clutch is used, even if
I
didn't follow my own advice.

What were the bricks like? I don't think there's any way a normal SDS would
have made it through our walls (stupidly hard 1900's triple brick with no
cavity) - even the 40mm holes were a struggle. Mind you, breeze block won't
be a problem and if the bricks are soft enough I suppose you might get away
with it. It's still cheaper and easier to hire though, unless you're
planning to do loads more core drilling later down the line - the bit alone
will probably be more than the entire hire costs (don't quote me on that
though).


Andy

What were the bricks like? I don't think there's any way a normal
SDS would
have made it through our walls (stupidly hard 1900's triple brick
with no
cavity) - even the 40mm holes were a struggle. Mind you, breeze
block won't
be a problem and if the bricks are soft enough I suppose you might
get away
with it. It's still cheaper and easier to hire though, unless you're
planning to do loads more core drilling later down the line - the bit
alone
will probably be more than the entire hire costs (don't quote me on
that
though).

The internal bricks were breeze block I think, with occaisional hollow
pot bricks (that was when I removed a door frame to get an Ikea sofa
in. Long story)
Like I said, I bought the cheapo SDS monster a couple of years ago and
didn't regret it one bit - it's like a hot knife through butter on the
concrete lintels I bought it for drilling into. However, it is a heavy
unwieldy drill and not very , how can I say, accurate. I find I have to
drill a couple of mm smaller than I need because of the wobble on the
bit and chuck. This is another reason for buying the Bosch because a
lot of people here like them, is light and it has the safety clutch. I
really don't want to twist my wrists up on this job. I'm wondering if
anyone had bought from www.powertoolsuk.co.uk as their prices were
extremely good. However there's always the 'too good to be true' issue.
This is the TCT core drill I was thinking of trying:
http://www.powertoolsuk.co.uk/webcat...186819&ID=1207
and the Bosch drill:
http://www.powertoolsuk.co.uk/webcat...H2-20SRE&ID=84

Has anybody tried these?
Mark

Pecanfan wrote:
I'd be surprised if it would last. Even the 'beast' snagged at
times
and
the torque clutch thing kicked in. How thick is the wall?

It's only a 60mm. I've had no problem core drilling small holes
like
those,
even with a low powered, wrist shattering cheapie with a TCT bit,
which
has
lasted for several holes with no sign of expiring.

Obviously, I would have to recommend that a safety clutch is used,
even if
I
didn't follow my own advice.

What were the bricks like? I don't think there's any way a normal
SDS would
have made it through our walls (stupidly hard 1900's triple brick
with no
cavity) - even the 40mm holes were a struggle. Mind you, breeze
block won't
be a problem and if the bricks are soft enough I suppose you might
get away
with it. It's still cheaper and easier to hire though, unless you're
planning to do loads more core drilling later down the line - the bit
alone
will probably be more than the entire hire costs (don't quote me on
that
though).


Andy

6cm is not big.
65mm tct core drill =A34.51 from toolstation.com 72655
sds arbor =A35.27 18616
guide drill 1.98 99910

they deliver, you dont have to go to the hire place and back again, and
the stuffs new not knackered.

Even a plain steel bit would manage 3 holes, tct is way tougher. No
problem there.

Sideways movement of drill tends to cause snagging, so I'd take it easy
if you use a no clutch job. Keep speed down to aviod it biting you, and
not use up a ladder.

Personally Id get a clutched one like a bosch, but a cheapie will still
work.

Tie a hoover hose onto the depth stop rod and itll do 95% of the clear
up for you.


NT

they deliver, you dont have to go to the hire place and back again,
and
the stuffs new not knackered.
Well I don't have a car, so would rely on delivery anyway.

Even a plain steel bit would manage 3 holes, tct is way tougher. No
problem there.

That's what I thought.

Sideways movement of drill tends to cause snagging, so I'd take it
easy
if you use a no clutch job. Keep speed down to aviod it biting you,
and
not use up a ladder.
This is the reason for buying a new drill. At =A366 I don't think It'd
be costing me much more than a hire. It has the clutch and claims to be
able to do 65mm core drilling. It must surely have less sideways
movement than my current one! A quick google search suggests other
people have successfully used similarly rated power drills for this
work.
Mark.

unwieldy drill and not very , how can I say, accurate. I find I have to
drill a couple of mm smaller than I need because of the wobble on the
bit and chuck.

I have to say, I bought a cheapo set of SDS bits from Screwfix and 'dog's
hind leg' springs to mind. Some of them are OK, some of them are utterly
useless. Luckily they're so cheap and soft they can generally be hammered
vaguely straight. :-)



http://www.powertoolsuk.co.uk/webcat...186819&ID=1207

Blimey - didn't know you could get them that cheap! At that price you might
as well give it a go and see what happens. Be interested to know if they do
the job for future reference.

Andy

What were the bricks like?

Various types.

I don't think there's any way a normal SDS would have made
it through our walls (stupidly hard 1900's triple brick with
no cavity) - even the 40mm holes were a struggle.

What type of bits did you use? I used a specially thinned type designed
specifically for low powered SDS drills. These can't be made so deep, so you
keep having to withdraw to empty the bit. However, the can sides and blades
are thin, so don't have to remove so much material, keeping the drill load
down.

Christian.

MJS wrote:

so I'm looking to replace it. I've seen the Bosch GBH2-20SRE SDS drill
for £66.09 from powertoolsuk.co.uk which is a great deal cheaper than

Sounds like a good deal. Should be easily up to the job. If you want to
have a more useful tool left over at the end it might be worth seeing if
you can get one of the three function drills (i.e. with rotary stop as
well) for a decent price. IIRC Axminster has a special offer on the
GBH2-24 a few weeks back.

sell a cheap range of TCT and diamond core drills. Do you think I can
get away with TCT for what will be at most 3 holes in brickwork or am I
better off buying the diamond one.

TCT should be fine for three holes.

--
Cheers,

John.

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"MJS" wrote:

I've got the el-cheapo [ferm] SDS drill
that all the sheds and screwfix sell cheap. I do not intend using this
with a core drill given the warnings of snags and wrist injury danger
so I'm looking to replace it. I've seen the Bosch GBH2-20SRE SDS drill
for £66.09 from powertoolsuk.co.uk which is a great deal cheaper than
screwfix etc and appears to be up to the job

Are you absolutely SURE this model has a safety clutch?


--

MJS wrote:

Sideways movement of drill tends to cause snagging, so I'd take it
easy
if you use a no clutch job. Keep speed down to aviod it biting you,
and
not use up a ladder.
This is the reason for buying a new drill. At =A366 I don't think It'd
be costing me much more than a hire. It has the clutch and claims to be
able to do 65mm core drilling. It must surely have less sideways
movement than my current one! A quick google search suggests other
people have successfully used similarly rated power drills for this
work.

its the human moving sideways thats the problem. Stable stance wise

NT

Ben wrote:

Are you absolutely SURE this model has a safety clutch?

All of the Bosch SDS (Pro) range tools have one:

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...17753&ts=83282



--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

John Rumm wrote:
Ben wrote:

Are you absolutely SURE this model has a safety clutch?

All of the Bosch SDS (Pro) range tools have one:

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...17753&ts=83282

Yep, A google search and everyone I can find suggest that it does have
the clutch. I can't start the job yet but have seen a few higher
specced models on ebay for similar money (both new and used).

Mark.

What type of bits did you use? I used a specially thinned type designed
specifically for low powered SDS drills. These can't be made so deep, so
you
keep having to withdraw to empty the bit. However, the can sides and
blades
are thin, so don't have to remove so much material, keeping the drill load
down.

Not sure - same design as the one on the pic, but that's the 117mm one.
They were quite heavy and probably about 150mm long - had an extension bar
thing too, which was a right pain in the arse. What's the reasoning behind
the 'friction fit' SDS-plus bits?

Andy