Best Tool For Drilling a Clean Hole in Brick?

[ClayW]

What is the best tool and method for drilling a clean 3/4" hole through brick?

I would think that a big hammer drill would do it, but I feel like that would make an irregular, chipped up hole. Maybe a diamond hole saw? Thanks in advance.

 

[mayday0017]

how EXACT do you need? Typically just a masonry bit and a hammer drill is all you need and makes a pretty nice hole.

 

[PugetDude]

Diamond hole saw and lots of water.

 

[k p]

If you use a hammer drill, you should drill from both sides so you don't blow out the backside of the hole just as the bit is coming through. Brick is especially brittle and can be damaged quite easily.

 

[mayday0017]

What is the goal in drilling the hole? The use will help guide us in the tool that needs to be used....

 

[Kevin54]

What size of hole is the first thing. You can drill a clean 1/4" hole using a carbide drill bit. But if you are taking 2", 3", 4", then that's a whole different ballgame.

 

[Prototyper]

What size of hole is the first thing. You can drill a clean 1/4" hole using a carbide drill bit. But if you are taking 2", 3", 4", then that's a whole different ballgame.

What is the best tool and method for drilling a clean 3/4" hole through brick?

Nuff said...

Diamond core drill with water supplied through center is the best method for drilling a clean hole. Rental stores have them available.

Also, you could hammer drill through with a 3/16 or 1/4" first to pilot, then go in from both sides with 3/4" to avoid blowing out the backside.

 

[rustyjames]

I've always had good success just drilling brick with a regular drill with a carbide masonry bit, dry.

 

[Mattlt]

Is it possible to drill through the mortar instead? Granted, you probably don't have a 3/4" mortar joint to work with... Mortar would be a lot easier to deal with than brick.

 

[Paticus]

I use a hammer drill and it is usually a clean punch and pretty accurate, gotta have a masonry bit though. It's gonna be tough being uber accurate with any hand drill

 

[Playwme]

Laser. Nothing beats a laser.

 

[terpfords]

Have you guys seen the newer style hole saws with carbide tips ?

I drillled holes in my brick for both a hose bib and my 1 1/2 sump discharge and it worked great, clean hole.

 

[Koken]

I don't know what you are drilling, but if you can mount/clamp a 2x4 to the surface, I would drill a hole in the 2x4 the exact diameter of the bit (using a wood bit) and mount it to the surface of the brick or into the mortar. The hole will guide the masonry bit and keep it in the exact position so it does not wobble. Good luck.