Diamond core bit drilling tips & troubleshooting

Always secure the diamond core drill rig either with a
mechanical anchor, vacuum system or by the use of the
jack screw.  NEVER stand on the base and drill without
anchoring.

Level the core drill rig by use of the base leveling screws,
and a small level attached to the column permanently or by
a magnetic strip on the level.  This procedure will ensure a
perpendicular hole.

Never let the core drill bit spin in the hole without applied
pressure.  This will cause the diamonds to round off and
the bit segments will heat and glaze over.

Turn on water before starting the drill motor.  Otherwise,
the water jacket seals heat up and become brittle, losing
water.

When your bit encounters steel (rebar), relax pressure
about 1/3 and allow the core bit to cut at its own rate.  DO
NOT PUSH THE BIT.  Some operators turn the water down
after exiting the steel to sharpen the bit.  If you engage in
this practice, turn the water back up once the core bit is
sharpened.

When drilling high PSI concrete or concrete with very hard
aggregate (i.e., river rock, flint rock, etc.), the bit will
sometimes glaze over.  To open or redress the bit, do one
of the following.

  • Decrease water by 1/2 for a few minutes and as the
    core bit starts to increase speed, gradually increase
    the water until the flow is back to the original state.
  • Pour masonry sand into the slurry then follow the
    above directions.
  • Add a sandblast media such as "Black Beauty" to the
    slurry and follow the above directions.
  • Drill the core bit into a cement block, soft vitrified
    grinding wheel or cinder block.  Repeat the
    procedure until the bit is open again.

When finished drilling, turn the water down very low and
back the core bit out of the hole with the motor running.

For additional tips and help with choosing the right diamond
core drill bit for your job,
feel free to call us at 1-573-785-3677

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