Drilling block paving

[Paulbav]

Hello

Has anyone ever drilled holes in block paving? I have about 15 blocks to drill so I can fit some lights, I have found loads of core drill bits the right size on ebay etc but have not tried them on block paving before, will they be man enough for the job??

Cheers

Paul

[Globulator]

Paulbav said:

Hello

Has anyone ever drilled holes in block paving? I have about 15 blocks to drill so I can fit some lights, I have found loads of core drill bits the right size on ebay etc but have not tried them on block paving before, will they be man enough for the job??

Cheers

Paul

I suspect it will depend more on the machine you attach to the bits.. you will need a decent SDS drill anyhow.

[B17NNS]

A good quality SDS plus or max machine will do the job. Most specify the maximum core diameter they are happy drilling.

Also the bit is equally important - they are not all made the same.

Personally if I were you rather than buying a cheap SDS drill and bit and having it potentially not be up to the job I'd hire some pro kit.

Will be cheaper than buying and if it fails it's not your problem.

Oh, and if you do decide to buy make sure the machine has a decent clutch or you might end up with a broken arm.

[Globulator]

B17NNS said:

Oh, and if you do decide to buy make sure the machine has a decent clutch or you might end up with a broken arm.

Does that ever happen?
I have a Hilti TE-15C that I think has one but I'm not sure. It's never twisted my arm anyway..

[jas xjr]

Hilti is a decent piece of kit. I have a cheap Sds and it has almost broken my arm a few times

[Gingerbread Man]

I'm sure that you don't normally use an SDS drill with diamond core bits. It'll damage the diamond edge.

[m4ckg]

Gingerbread Man said:

I'm sure that you don't normally use an SDS drill with diamond core bits. It'll damage the diamond edge.

no, don't use an sds as already stated, a good speed drill or a core drill is what is needed, probably best hireing but you get charged by the mm of wear

[Paulbav]

m4ckg said:

Gingerbread Man said:

I'm sure that you don't normally use an SDS drill with diamond core bits. It'll damage the diamond edge.

no, don't use an sds as already stated, a good speed drill or a core drill is what is needed, probably best hireing but you get charged by the mm of wear

Hi thanks for your help, I really should have been clearer in my question, I have an array of decent Bosch SDS and Dewalt SDS max drills to choose from so that is not the issue what I would like to kwow is what bits I should be using?? I have found some Tungston Carbide core bits but have not used them on a paving block before so don't know if they would be man enough for the job or if I would need to go the diamond tiped route and if so which bit to use???
Dave as you said percusion is not the issue here it is about using the drill without hammer and the cutting ability of the bit along with lots of water, slowly slowly catchy monkey, I think...

Paul

[Gingerbread Man]

Paulbav said:

m4ckg said:

Gingerbread Man said:

I'm sure that you don't normally use an SDS drill with diamond core bits. It'll damage the diamond edge.

no, don't use an sds as already stated, a good speed drill or a core drill is what is needed, probably best hireing but you get charged by the mm of wear

Hi thanks for your help, I really should have been clearer in my question, I have an array of decent Bosch SDS and Dewalt SDS max drills to choose from so that is not the issue what I would like to kwow is what bits I should be using?? I have found some Tungston Carbide core bits but have not used them on a paving block before so don't know if they would be man enough for the job or if I would need to go the diamond tiped route and if so which bit to use???
Dave as you said percusion is not the issue here it is about using the drill without hammer and the cutting ability of the bit along with lots of water, slowly slowly catchy monkey, I think...

Paul

How big a hole are you drilling?

I use core drill bits like these to drill through house bricks for boiler flues. Should be fine for your purpose, just like the drill do the work. Ideally it should have a clutch, but as you won't be hanging off a ladder, it's not quite as essential!