How to choose a hand-held power tool for diamond drilling?

When selecting a drill for diamond drilling, you must exercise extreme caution. A powerful tool with a minimum power of 600 watts and a speed exceeding 2500 thousand per minute is required. A drill for this kind of work also needs to have reverse motion, an impact mechanism, and a speed regulator.

Selecting a rotary hammer will entail figuring out the torque element’s number of revolutions as well as its power, frequency, and speed of impact. You can drill holes up to 15 mm in diameter using a drill. In addition to drills, hammer drills can be used with crowns up to 60 mm in diameter.

It’s also important to specify exactly why the tool is being bought. Small-scale repairs and home use are appropriate for 750 W rotary hammers. To complete basic small tasks, an impact energy of 2.5 J and a rotation speed of 1500 rpm are more than enough. You will require a more robust tool for professional use that can handle heavy loads over an extended period of time.

However, using handheld power tools is frequently not necessary. It takes a very long time to finish, there is a lot of noise, and the holes turn out to be curved.

When it’s imperative to steer clear of these undesirable outcomes, use the expertise of experts in dry drilling or water-cooled cutting components.

Advantages of professional diamond drilling machines

They use specialized drilling machines when they need to drill through concrete, stone, brick, or even to take down a portion of a wall or ceiling and create an exact hole with precise measurements for both depth and width. Due to the tool’s technological features, work can be done even in enclosed spaces because hardly any dust is produced. Furthermore, no further processing is needed for holes created by diamond drilling.

Unique benefits of installations, which have been demonstrated in real-world scenarios time and time again:

-holes of different diameters can be made;

-The drilling machine creates holes in minutes, even in the toughest materials;

-the diameter may vary by no more than 1 mm from the given dimensions;

-the walls and ceilings are safe when there is no vibration while the installation is operating (this is crucial when working in old buildings that are valuable historically or architecturally);

-noise and dust are almost nonexistent when using specialized equipment for diamond drilling;

-Drilling can be conducted in an inclined, vertical, or horizontal plane.

Equipment and types of professional installations

The primary application for diamond drilling machines is in the creation of large holes in concrete or reinforced concrete, with a diameter ranging from 30 to 600 mm. There are three main components to them:

Operating principle of the installation

Using expansion anchors or studs fastened with nuts, the frame is fixed to the preferred spot on the surface (which could be walls or ceilings) and can be moved to a new location. As was previously mentioned, drilling can be done vertically, horizontally, or at an angle.

The diameter of the hollow crown is chosen to create the hole. firmly and appropriately fixed on the designated side. You need a steady stream of running water to cool the cutting element. It keeps the element from breaking down too soon and cleans the working surface by cooling the diamond coating.

Crucial! Diamond drill bits used in concrete are not meant to be sharpened and cannot be fixed.

A 3 kW single-phase unit is the most widely used piece of diamond drilling equipment. They are powerful enough to drill large-diameter holes and cut through concrete slabs despite their relative light weight. They have a regular 220V power supply connected to them.

It is preferable to select a three-phase drilling rig for professional use. Among its benefits are:

-the capacity to drill down more than two meters;

-the capacity to drill holes up to one meter in diameter;

-the average cutting speed is two centimeters per minute;

-very little noise and dust;

However, there are drawbacks as well, such as:

-a very striking installation weight;

-only a 380V network connection;

-extremely expensive.

Only trustworthy construction companies that prioritize this kind of work are able to purchase a high-quality three-phase drilling rig.

In terms of productivity, diamond drilling concrete with specialized equipment is far more efficient than manual labor. Simply put, holes of this caliber cannot be created using a handheld power tool. Thus, efficiency and cleanliness are crucial when doing construction, manufacturing, or repair work on residential properties.

Examples of equipment for diamond drilling of concrete

There is a good selection of drilling rigs. Here are some instances of tools that are highly sought after by builders, who aim to complete their tasks as quickly and accurately as possible while spending the least amount of money on tool purchases.

1. Diamond drilling machine HILTI

The noise level of the unit when it is operating is so low that you can have a peaceful conversation with someone close by—the only sound audible is the motor, as stated by the manufacturer and verified by the technicians who use it. Cutting reinforced concrete produces very little vibration, which is crucial for residential buildings. It takes no more than eight to ten minutes to drill a hole in reinforced concrete that is 400 mm deep and 10 cm in diameter. The installation of water supply, sewage, and ventilation pipes as well as the creation of non-through holes for equipment mounting, railings, and other fences can be completed quickly with a straight hole in the wall.

2. Installations of TYROLIT

The DRS 160 is an electronic control panel and sensor-equipped concrete diamond drilling system that shows all process parameters on a monitor. It allows you to drill holes up to 160 mm in diameter in concrete. Motor output: 2.2 kW.

The more potent DRU 250 model. It is intended to drill holes up to 250 mm in diameter.

Clean and safe operation is ensured by installing this brand-name DRA 500 with its maximum motor power and bore diameter (up to 500 mm). This installation is done by professionals and is quite expensive.

Certain frames come with vacuum plates to ensure the installation is fixed firmly. This device is firmly fastened to the work surface using the vacuum pump that comes with it. When the operation is complete, the vacuum is released and air is supplied via a unique valve.

Any installation involving diamond drilling needs to be done with extreme caution and strict adherence to safety guidelines. Prior to beginning work, make sure to:

-vacuum fastening, dowel, and anchor dependability;

-modify the carriage and guide’s position;

-look for play and rule out any irregularities.

Drills and crowns

For professional installations and handheld power tools, corresponding varieties of diamond drills and core bits are available. Standard small drills come in diameters ranging from 8 to 16 mm and lengths of 25 cm. They fall into several categories:

1. SKA 1 are intended for use with grade M250–300 concrete foundations;

2. SKA 2 is compatible with M300–500;

3. When working with a concrete base that is graded higher than M 500, SKA 3 are necessary.

Drills measuring 35 cm in length and 20 to 160 mm in thickness. Special extensions can be used for deeper holes.

A drill bit is a seamless, thin-walled piece of pipe with soldered diamond segments on the edge. The diameter of such a crown can be up to one meter, and sometimes even more for special orders. A few helpful pointers

In order to diamond cut concrete and other materials with a high density, the drill’s "clogging" must be periodically cleared out.

The decreased level of productivity dictates when this procedure needs to be performed. The crown needs to be taken out of the hole and repeatedly drilled through a softer brick or another abrasive material with coarse grains in order to clean it. Water should not be provided in this situation. Following such a straightforward procedure, productivity will rise once more as freshly exposed diamond grain appears on the surface. A good quality crown should be completed at a rate of between 30 and 40 mm per minute.

-It may be worthwhile to mark the future hole’s center at times.

Since it is very difficult to determine the exact location by eye when drilling a hole larger than 25 mm with a crown, it is advised to mark the desired location with a drill bit (a drill with a carbide tip) first.

– Crowns of superior quality have the ability to self-sharpen.

A sharp edge with soldered diamond segments can self-sharpen and retain its high cutting ability for an extended period of time with proper use.

– Varying materials correspond to various crowns.

Ring bits with a coarser diamond grit should be used on softer materials. On the other hand, finer is suggested for hard materials like granite or ceramics.

-Using running water to cool is preferable.

You should begin supplying water to the work surface before you begin drilling. The following average values should be used to estimate the amount of water used: 0.4 liters per minute of work per 1 cm of crown diameter.

Choosing a hand-held power tool for diamond drilling involves considering several key factors to ensure you get the best performance and value for your needs. Start by assessing the power and speed of the tool, as these determine how effectively it can drill through tough materials like concrete or stone. Consider the tool"s weight and ergonomics to ensure it"s comfortable and easy to handle during extended use. Look for features such as water cooling systems to prolong the life of the drill bit and reduce dust. Finally, check the compatibility with different drill bit sizes and materials to ensure versatility. By keeping these points in mind, you can select a diamond drilling tool that is both efficient and user-friendly.

Concrete that has been diamond-drilled makes construction and repair work much easier. Efficient, meticulous operation of the machinery guarantees timely, safe, and high-quality work output.