Types of Core Drill Assemblies
Contractors use core drilling equipment to perform a wide range of job applications. Thus, equipment manufacturers have responded with an array of core drill assemblies that craft precise openings with design features that makes quality job performance easier. Your selection of a core drill should match the type of work you commonly perform.
There are three key considerations when purchasing a core drill:
- The type of core drill
- How the motor that provides the drill action is powered
- Accessories that will make the job go smoother
Core Drill Types
Handheld core drill assembles are the best options for contractors whose core drilling is a limited activity. These often include routing vents, creating conduit passageways, or utility openings. Most of these applications require hole diameters of less than 3”.Handheld core drills are also great when drilling through masonry and concrete walls where they will encounter limited embedded rebar. These units are light enough to be safely used in close quarters that require drilling in vertical walls, floors, and ceilings.
Most manufacturers offer a wide range of sizes of hand-held core drills. You should match the power unit’s size to its rated hole diameter rating to help limit the assembly’s weight. Look for units that offer support handles that can be oriented for both horizontal and vertical drilling.
When your application requires a hole larger than 3” in diameter, you must opt for a unit that can be mounted to a stand or rig.
Stands and rigs come in a wide array of styles. Some rigs are designed for horizontal drilling, while stands are commonly designed for vertical drilling (both downward and upward).
These units will also allow you to drill deeper. They are especially helpful when drilling blind holes, as the stand will provide support when retracting the bit and core.
Some manufacturers produce hybrid drill assemblies that are designed for handheld work and stand-mounted work. The tool’s body has special mounting holes that allow you to secure it to the rig or stand.
There are two considerations when opting for a power source for your core drill assembly.
There are heavy-duty applications where you might consider core drills that are powered hydraulically or pneumatically. Hydraulic power sources are great options when working in wet conditions. These units often have robust power settings when attempting large diameter coring, and many are also designed for deep coring. These heavy-duty units offer enough torque to core through the toughest material.
These units will also allow you to drill deeper. They are especially helpful when drilling blind holes, as the stand will provide support when retracting the bit and core.
Some manufacturers produce hybrid drill assemblies that are designed for handheld work and stand-mounted work. The tool’s body has special mounting holes that allow you to secure it to the rig or stand.
Power Sources
There are two considerations when opting for a power source for your core drill assembly. - What sources are available on the jobsite?
- How much allowable noise can you have on the job?
There are heavy-duty applications where you might consider core drills that are powered hydraulically or pneumatically. Hydraulic power sources are great options when working in wet conditions. These units often have robust power settings when attempting large diameter coring, and many are also designed for deep coring. These heavy-duty units offer enough torque to core through the toughest material.
There are heavy-duty applications where you might consider core drills that are powered hydraulically or pneumatically. Hydraulic power sources are great options when working in wet conditions. These units often have robust power settings when attempting large diameter coring, and many are also designed for deep coring. These heavy-duty units offer enough torque to core through the toughest material.
There are two power source options if you've chosen to use an electric motor – corded or battery operated. If you normally work on jobs with a ready supply of electricity, corded power units might be your best bet. Also take a quick look at the manufacturer’s rating. Many offer three ranges of power settings that can be matched to your operation.
There’s another benefit when opting for electric power sources. Manufacturers often include electronic overload and overheating protection for electric motors. These added protection measures reduce downtime and costly repairs.
There are two power source options if you've chosen to use an electric motor – corded or battery operated. If you normally work on jobs with a ready supply of electricity, corded power units might be your best bet. Also take a quick look at the manufacturer’s rating. Many offer three ranges of power settings that can be matched to your operation.
There’s another benefit when opting for electric power sources. Manufacturers often include electronic overload and overheating protection for electric motors. These added protection measures reduce downtime and costly repairs.
For applications where electricity might be limited, battery operated units are very useful. In recent years, manufacturers have increased a battery’s life and power output so that they can often be used for an entire shift.
Some manufacturers provide monitoring that aids the operator to get the best performance out of the unit. The controller informs the operator whether coring should go faster or slower for optimum performance. This monitoring provides a consistent efficiency assessment, so the job gets done faster and with better results.
No core drilling tool chest would be complete without some important accessories that help make the job easier. As with many specialized tool applications, several of these accessories were developed to solve common core drilling issues.
Core drilling can be conducted either dry or with water suppression. Equipment manufacturers offer several types of shrouds and slurry rings that can be connected to vacuums to help keep the site clean. Since the operations can be in remote sections of the jobsite, you might consider purchasing a pressured water tank from which you can apply water to the coring area to lubricate the drill bit and reduce fugitive dust.
Some manufacturers provide monitoring that aids the operator to get the best performance out of the unit. The controller informs the operator whether coring should go faster or slower for optimum performance. This monitoring provides a consistent efficiency assessment, so the job gets done faster and with better results.
Job Specific Accessories
No core drilling tool chest would be complete without some important accessories that help make the job easier. As with many specialized tool applications, several of these accessories were developed to solve common core drilling issues.
Dust and Slurry Control
Core drilling can be conducted either dry or with water suppression. Equipment manufacturers offer several types of shrouds and slurry rings that can be connected to vacuums to help keep the site clean. Since the operations can be in remote sections of the jobsite, you might consider purchasing a pressured water tank from which you can apply water to the coring area to lubricate the drill bit and reduce fugitive dust.
Adapters
There are several unique tools that can be used for special applications. For example, a Roughner Tool Adapter is a welded spiked tool that is inserted in the core hole after drilling to scarify the hole’s exposed surface. The roughed surface can provide better adhesion when installing chemical anchors.Another special adapter is used to countersink existing core holes. This tool is often used when installing lighting apparatuses in concrete pavement and airport runways.
A third useful adapter is a Core Retrieval Tool. This tool is used to pull out a core that may have fallen out of the bit’s shaft.
Core Bit Shaft Extensions Depending on the set-up, predicting the exact length of the shaft for core drilling can be difficult. There are an array of cap and barrel extender options. These accessories help you drill deep into bedrock, or a concrete foundation.
