drilling with sds

[51]

Hi. if you need or have to drill a 32mm hole in bricks is it a good idea to drill a pilot hole. eg. 12mm?

Thanks.

Arthur

[Mungo "Two Sheds" Toadfoot]

I would say so.

Si

[Guy King]

The message from "51" contains these words:

Core bits come with their own pilot.

[51]

If using a core drill, is it worth while drilling thru with the pilot drill before mounting it in the core drill to make the big hole?

Arhur

[Andrew Gabriel]

If it's an SDS bit, then yes. If you have some sizes inbetween, I would use them too. Once you've done the pilot, it's then a good idea to drill the main hole half way through from each side, but you may need a slightly bigger bit to allow for a slight mismatch when the holes meet. In particular, when drilling through a 9" brick wall with lime mortar, you will likely otherwise just push the whole brick out from the second side if you do it all from one side.

[Guy King]

The message from "51" contains these words:

I never have.

[Bob Minchin]

The only value I can think of is to check where the hole will come out on the other side. much easier to re-pocate the pilot hole if needed than the whole core!

Bob

[The Medway Handyman]

What he said. Best option.