Diamond Core Drilling Setup. Advice.

[rogersmithiii]

I need to drill two, 3 inch hole through a concrete foundation wall. I've heard that I can do this myself using a diamond core bit.

Can anyone provide some advice? Buy or rent the drill? Buy the bit or rent the bit? Does anyone have any suggestions on brands? Hilti seems to make them, and PDP has a pile of videos on Youtube.

Advice would be appreciated.

 

[rogersmithiii]

Jesus. Are the drills really $2500?

 

[A_Pmech]

A carbide percussion core drill will probably work fine for your application. They're much less expensive and more widely available.

In the event you hit rebar, simply torch it out.

 

[bcradio]

Almost any sds max hammer will handle a core bit that size. Definitely rent if it's only 2 holes and you wont use it again. if you don't care how it looks, you can use a basic SDS-plus hammer and drill many small holes to punch out and get the size you need. Those drills and bits can be had at HF for less than $100.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'd check around to see who does core drilling in your area, and find out how much they would charge to do the work. Assuming you aren't going to make a career out of drilling 3" holes in concrete, it may be better than buying the equipment for a one shot use.

 

[Rookie2]

Its not something you want to try if your not mechanically inclined. You have to bolt the drill rig to the wall and with alot of water, drill. Its like bolting a small drill press (but heavier) to a wall.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I'd hire it done.

 

[PugetDude]

If the holes are for electrical entry, it would be a lot easier to come up out of the ground and penetrate the siding above the bottom plate with an LB- rigid conduit body.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GATLH2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

3" holes are doable as a DIY project, but it takes the right tools (or a lot of work with a hammer drill...)

 

[LordPsychon]

Pardon the ignorance but are these 3" diameter holes or 3" deep holes? 3" deep holes are a cakewalk (SDS + Rotary hammer) and 3" diameter holes can be done as stated by others in this thread.

 

[Rookie2]

Pardon the ignorance but are these 3" diameter holes or 3" deep holes? 3" deep holes are a cakewalk (SDS + Rotary hammer) and 3" diameter holes can be done as stated by others in this thread.

On second thought ,if its only 3" you could use an SDS drill and a core bit. drill from both sides so as not to blow out the exit side.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...0&_nkw=SDS+3"+diamond+core+drill+bit&_sacat=0

 

[speed bump]

I like jackleg drills for this sort of work but that is just because my sister has access to one and is a damn good driller. Otherwise go to the rental store and see what they recommend and what it will cost, then factor in the mess and call someone to cut the hole for you.

 

[rogersmithiii]

I'd check around to see who does core drilling in your area, and find out how much they would charge to do the work. Assuming you aren't going to make a career out of drilling 3" holes in concrete, it may be better than buying the equipment for a one shot use.

$400 from three vendors, and $699 from a fourth to drill two, 3 inch holes.

 

[rogersmithiii]

3 inch diameter holes for oil pipe fill and vent.

 

[mobiledynamics]

$400 seems fair if he's going to core it...

If he's going to just take a SDS MAX, you could either rent or just buy the kit-n-kaboole and do it yourself

 

[PugetDude]

3 inch diameter holes for oil pipe fill and vent.

And it absolutely, positively has to go through the foundation?

 

[rogersmithiii]

Yes. The wall is concrete up 8 feet, and faces out onto the driveway. If I go through the sill, the fill is going to be 9 feet up.

 

[neophyte]

Jesus. Are the drills really $2500?

I'm guessing you never priced Hilti tools before, or at least the high end ones.

There are other companies that make the same type of drills, that should work for the size of the holes you're trying to drill.

Flex, another German company does, and used to sell them in North America back when they were owned by Porter Cable. There are currently a couple available on Ebay.

This on doesn't come with a stand, but it's priced at $300.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flex-BHW-81...455?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa7ada5f7

This one is the heavier version and comes with a stand.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Core-Drill-...387?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0a92625b

Eibenstock is another company that specializes in core drills.

http://www.eibenstock.com/index_engl.asp?katid=21&bodystart=1&seite=21200000

Weka is another company. The drills probably cost as much as the Hilti drills though.

http://www.weka-elektrowerkzeuge.de/en/produkte/bohren-handgefuehrt/

http://www.weka-elektrowerkzeuge.de/en/produkte/bohren-staendergefuehrt/

Milwaukee also manufactures core drills motors. The Milwaukee drills are still not cheap but maybe you can find a used one for a reasonable price.

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools?product+Types=Diamond+Coring

 

[colin39]

There are a crew of guys here in the uk with some experience of core drilling, they have just done a little job at hutten garden


They used a hilti 350dd if this helps
if they pop on to offer any help the local rozzers are offering a 20k reward

Lol

 

[justme-]

We have both as hand held (takes up to 3 inch) and a pedestal (up to 8 inch) unit. That large a bit needs a slow start in a hand held application - something that size in a large hammer drill will twist out of your hands very easily never mind the size, bulk, and weight of the needed hammer drill.
Core bits are diamond and require water as previously mentioned. The pedestal also as mentioned needs to be bolted to the surface. FWIW we get only $60/4 hours for the hand held plus bit wear so check you're local rental yards.