Three Important Tips For Using A Diamond Core Drill

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Diamond core drills are power tools used to drill holes through concrete surfaces during concrete cutting. Diamond core drills employ the use of diamond drill bits to easily cut through concrete material thanks to the tough nature of diamonds.

It is important for homeowners who intend to undertake concrete core drilling on their own to understand what it takes to use a diamond core drill effectively so as to avoid damage to the drill as well as physical injury to the homeowner. Below are a few tips on how to go about using diamond core drills for DIY concrete core drilling.

Pre-Drilling Operations

It is important to carry out a visual examination of the diamond core drill before using it on a concrete surface. The visual examination should be aimed at identifying cracks and detecting run out. Run out refers to an inaccuracy of the drill's rotating mechanism, which makes the drill shaft not rotate in line with its main axis. Run out causes unnecessary vibrations when the drill is in use. The extra vibrations lead to the production of holes with uneven circumferences.

Checking for run out requires the homeowner to use a specially designed indicator meant for this purpose. The indicator should be brought close to the drill so that its spring touches the surface of the drill. Homeowners then need to confirm that the indicator's dial has a zero reading before turning on the drill. In the absence of run out, the indicator's dial should maintain its zero reading even after the drill is operational.

Drill Speed

Operating hand-held diamond core drills at the right speed is essential for reducing the chances of damage to the concrete material and increasing the drill's lifespan. The required drill speed will vary depending on several factors. These include the diameter of the drill, the coolant used, the hardness of the concrete material, and the size of diamond mesh used.

As a general rule of thumb, concrete materials that are soft and abrasive can handle higher speeds. Harder materials with greater density should be subjected to lower speeds.   

Do Not Forget Coolant

There is great importance attached to coolant use when using diamond core drills. Coolant use helps to lubricate the drill while flushing out abrasive particles that occur from the drilling exercise. Water is the best coolant for use with diamond core drills because of its organic nature. Using water to cool a diamond core drill is therefore advantageous because it does not contaminate the concrete material in question in any way.

It is important for homeowners to confirm the water pressure required for use with the drill from the drill's instruction manual. When drilling through very hard concrete materials, the best way to cool the drill is to run water through the center of the diamond core drill.  

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