A time might come when you’ll need to drill a large diameter hole on a block or solid brick surface. This method is done by most contractors whenever buildings need to install waste pipes or run cables from the exterior to the interior. Before the drilling starts, contractors will need to use a specific core drill bit to drill the hole properly.
There are different kinds of core drill bits used for specific applications. The drill bits will depend on the depth and size of the hole they are drilling. The surface material is another factor they need to consider because the drill bits might break when used on the wrong surface.
Carbide Core Drill Bit
For contractors that prefer a more affordable method of drilling, carbide core drills are mostly used. The teeth of the drill bit are made from carbide material surrounding the extremity of the drill bit. When the drill rotates, the carbide teeth grind the surface you are working on and to create a hole.
Another reason why most contractors use carbide core drill bits is that the material is one of the strongest substances there is in the world. In some cases, carbides are often stronger than diamonds. Carbide is formed when mixed with metal. You can find contractors using carbide drill bits when they’re drilling on tile, concrete, and masonry.
Diamond Core Drill Bit
Diamond core drill bits are embedded directly onto the teeth compared to the carbide where it’s surrounding the circumference of the drill bit. Diamonds are extremely tough and durable, making it perfect for drilling holes almost perfectly. There are also two types of diamond core drill bits – dry and wet cut. There are solid surfaces that won’t need water to cool the drill when cutting through. But for some surfaces, water is critical to keep the drill teeth from getting significantly damaged.
When the drill gets too hot, the metal encasing melts, reducing the cutting efficiency. It’s possible that contractors might need to get another diamond core drill bit when this happens, and that means more money and time to spend replacing the drill bit. To prevent significant damage from occurring to the drill bit, contractors cut through in short bursts. The drill bit should also be taken out from time to time to let heat disseminate.
Dry cutting is usually done inside buildings, especially when there are surfaces that are easy to drill through. On the other hand, wet cutting is usually done on exterior surfaces since the entire process can be messier compared to dry cutting.
Guide Drill Bit
As the name suggests, it’s only used to create a guide for contractors before the actual drilling starts. Guide drill bits also keep the main core drill bit precise during the cutting process. It works by drilling with the guide bit until they are 20 to 30mm deep into the surface. Once they hit that mark, they can remove the guide drill bit and continue cutting without it. But usually, some contractors prefer to leave it to see if they’re about to break through the other surface.
For people who are still new to core drill bits, the ones mentioned above are usually the most commonly used for drilling through brick or masonry. And if you plan on getting core drill bits, make sure they’re reliable and strong enough not to break easily.
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