Yes, you can dry core drill in reinforced concrete
Dry core drilling, or core drilling without water, has a lot of uses. But if you’ve tried it in reinforced concrete using a standard drill, you probably found it difficult and frustrating. That’s because standard drills lack the ability to cool the core bit on their own. Without water, the segments can overheat, causing the diamonds to turn back into graphite or glaze – leading to costly delays. Bad experiences like this have led many professionals to believe that dry core drilling is best reserved for softer materials such as abrasive concrete and masonry.
But times have changed.
Thanks to recent technological advances, including the introduction of soft-percussion drill technology and core bits specially designed for dry applications, you can now dry core drill in reinforced concrete with excellent results.
Give yourself every advantage with our full solution for dry core drilling – from your core drill, diamond core bits and dust extractor to accessories like drill stands, air cleaners, adapters and cables. With Husqvarna as your supplier, you can rest easy knowing that everything will not only work – but work together as a complete system.
Dry core drilling applications
(5)
Lets talk: dry core drilling in reinforced concrete
Watch this short video from our “Let’s Talk” series for tips on dry core drilling in reinforced concrete. Learn when and where to do it, get equipment recommendations, and more.
Soft percussion changes the game
Never use a standard core drill for dry drilling in reinforced concrete. If you do, you risk overheating the tube and segments. Instead, use a drill with a soft-percussion feature to prevent the core bit’s diamond segments from glazing.
DM 210 SP is a powerful electric core drill with soft-percussion technology for dry drilling in reinforced concrete and other hard materials. The drill’s versatility makes it an excellent choice for a range of water-sensitive environments including offices, churches, and areas with extensive electrical installations. Use it for cable, conduit and pipe penetrations; sanitary and heating installations; and ventilation openings. Key features include:
Soft percussion for efficient drilling
Soft percussion hammers the core bit into the hole, ensuring that the diamonds are continuously exposed while cooling them to prevent glazing. This feature can be turned on and off as necessary.
Durable and ergonomic design
The comfortable D handle provides excellent control for handheld drilling (the drill can also be mounted on a drill stand). The shock-proof design protects electronic components, while the drill's low weight and ergonomic design make it easy to carry, set up and use.
2-speed gearbox
Makes it easy to choose the right spindle speed and torque for drilling diameters up to 202 mm.
Certified dust control
Our drill motor is rigorously tested alongside our dust extractors to meet both OSHA and EN standards for permissible exposure to crystalline silica dust.
Diamond core bits optimised for dry core drilling
When dry core drilling in reinforced concrete, always use a core drill bit that is specifically intended for dry applications. This will ensure proper dust extraction and keep your tube and segments from overheating.
Our Elite-Drill™ D20 Dry drill bit has several important features that allow it to perform high-speed dry coring in reinforced concrete and masonry.
Diamonds and bond optimised for dry core drilling
The size and concentration of the diamonds, as well as the chemical composition of the bond, are specifically designed for dry drilling.
Segments designed for precision and reliability
The short 20-mm segments enable smooth and precise drilling and are laser welded for reliability. The segments are also pre-sharpened with special technology to expose the diamonds. This provides a smooth start and lets you reach full drill speed from the first hole.
Tube engineered for efficient airflow
The tube’s design features a spiral groove and two extra bypass holes that maintain efficient airflow when drilling. This lowers the temperature and helps evacuate all the dust and debris to prevent the tube and segments from overheating.
The right dust extractors for dry core drilling
On any construction site, proper dust management is essential for minimising the crew’s exposure to silica dust. It’s also important for the performance of your equipment because it helps prevent your core bit from overheating.
When it comes to dust extraction, be sure to match your dust extractor to the demands of your specific job. Depending on your needs, our DE 110 H and DE 35 H dust extractors are both excellent choices.
DE 35 H
The DE 35 H dust extractor is designed for hazardous dust. Unlike many other dust extractors on the market, DE 35 H features an automatic split filter cleaning system to deliver uninterrupted runtime and efficient dust extraction. Ideal for use with smaller handheld power tools, DE 35 H is an excellent choice when dust suppression with water is not preferred or allowed. The DE 35 H is TGRS519 certified and fully H class with H13 filtration efficiency according to EN1822.
DE 110 H
DE 110 H is ideal for most dry core drilling applications. This dust extractor comes in two variants: corded and powered by our BLi-X battery platform. DE 110 H is compact and easy to transport, yet also powerful – the corded variant has a maximum airflow of 210 cubic metres per hour.
This dust extractor also features e-flow, a technology that automatically optimises the power for your application to provide a high, stable airflow from the moment your machine is powered on until the filter needs to be purged. E-flow also prolongs the time until filter saturation by up to 30%, reduces energy consumption by up to 30% and reduces noise levels.
Air cleaners – an essential part of your dry core drilling setup
When dry core drilling, even the most efficient dust extractor won’t capture all dust at the source. This is why it’s essential to always use air cleaners to help filter out airborne particles. Our A-line air cleaners have two-stage filtering to capture silica dust and dust from wood, metal, gypsum and other materials. An optional carbon filter can also be added for three-stage filtering.
To get a fast recommendation on the right air-cleaner setup for your specific job, try our air-filter calculator. Follow the link below and look for it on the bottom-right corner of the All About Air Cleaners page.
Wet core drilling vs. dry core drilling
Wet or dry? When it comes to core drilling, it’s not a question of which method is best. They each have their time and place – the key is to have the right equipment for the job.
Wet core drilling, the classic method, has two main advantages: drilling is generally faster, and using water extends the life of the core bit. But there are times when water can’t be used because it’s unsafe, not allowed or impractical.
The dry method’s advantages have to do with convenience since setup and cleanup are both faster. Drilling can also be easier, since there’s no splashing water to deal with. Typical applications for dry core drilling include:
- Reinforced concrete, masonry and stone for cables, cable trays and pipes
- Sensitive areas where water is not allowed, such as electrical installations
- Stitch drilling of through-holes in plumbing and air-conditioning installations
- Ventilation openings
- Concrete structures or surfaces (walls, floors and ceilings)
- HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) installation
- Attaching anchors in drilled holes with epoxy, which requires holes with no slurry or water
Your complete source for dry cutting concrete
Dry cutting concrete may be preferred to wet whenever water or moisture could be harmful or create a disturbance.
When dry is the right choice for you, we’re here to help. Our complete solutions include everything from power cutters and diamond blades to a full range of dust management solutions like air cleaners and smart dust extractors.
Follow the link below to learn all you need to know about dry cutting concrete.