Advice required on using a hole saw to go through brickwork.

[Wendelspanswick]

I don't bother with diamond cores below about 50mm as the peripheral speed is too slow to be effective so I use masonary TCT cores, alot cheaper and quicker than a diamond core drill.
http://www.toolstation.com/search?searchstr=18314 59869 69846 65159 75808 51074

 

[hunter27]

Done hundreds of these over the years for gas boiler flues. we all had a dedicated core drill that was fitted with a clutch and a single slowish speed (usually Makita). I used to drill a 8 /10mm pilot hole straight through to check for clearances both sides. Our diamond core bits had and a removable pilot bit fitted down its center., Our core bits bayoneted into a housing around the spindle that had a vacuum attachment and worked very well until you withdrew the bit and inadvertently tipped the bit downwards .
I no longer have access to one so depending where the hole was I would probably stitch drill the brickwork with a long 6 /7mm bit and carefully chip it out.
If you do use one wear ear defenders, using them from inside to out often working in a cupboard does your hearing no good at all (sorry what did you say) seriously
Pete

 

[Paul99]

Like Kent I've done countless holes through all sorts with core bits (very cheap aldi ones at that) in a standard SDS and although a bit slow (stopping to allow the drill to cool) it works well - certainly well enough for one off jobs. The Aldi core bits were bought to do one quick job 5 or 6 years ago but they have taken some serious abuse since and their still going strong.

 

[mike os]

For a 1 off just drill and chisel it out,

 

[Pete.]

I don't bother with diamond cores below about 50mm as the peripheral speed is too slow to be effective so I use masonary TCT cores, alot cheaper and quicker than a diamond core drill.
http://www.toolstation.com/search?searchstr=18314 59869 69846 65159 75808 51074

Those TCT barrels are handy and will even drill through soft concrete, but you have to work from the finished face as they do cause a lot of blow-out when they break through.

 

[Kent]

Chisel is OK for soft stuff as a one off but personally I don't see the point the drills ain't dear unless your doing one a week you don't need the best
If you already have an sds it's the way ahead

Drilling one a week you need the correct machine and the best bits - but hey its tax deductible and you claim the vat then right

 

[Seadog]

HSS hire out a Hilti core drill and cutters for about £53 a day.

 

[voipio]

There were a few blokes in Hatton Garden a while back that could have offered some advice ;-)

 

[dannyp]

an el cheepo 6kg drill will usally do the job just fine.

i bought the cheepest screwfix had, allong with the cheepest core bit set. its done far more than ever expected it to do. i know i shouldnt use it with hammer action ....... but it dose cut rather a lot faster when you do

 

[Paul99]

an el cheepo 6kg drill will usally do the job just fine.

i bought the cheepest screwfix had, allong with the cheepest core bit set. its done far more than ever expected it to do. i know i shouldnt use it with hammer action ....... but it dose cut rather a lot faster when you do

You found that too then - that's the only one beauty of buying cheap tools - you don't mind abusing them.

 

[Mr shiney]

I rented a drill and core but from Jacksons to do mine. Cost me £18.