How would I make a 50mm hole through a 10 inch layer of bricks?

MarcLister · 14 Aug 2015 at 21:56

bremen1874 said:
Why does it need to be 50mm?

If you're just wanting to run cables then a couple of 25-30mm holes should be adequate and much easier to achieve using more basic tools.

50mm is just a bit wider than a mains plug. I would want to be able to extend mains as well by using an extension lead. I could remove the plug, run the cable through and re-attach the plug.

Jez said:
A 20mm hole is sufficient for a terminated hdmi cable (i ran hdmi everywhere here) and achievable with a regular sds drill

After a few cables have gone through I think 20mm would be too small to run another cable through.

Quartz said:
Is 50mm going to be wide enough? I'm guessing that you're going to need to put a pipe in there to connect the two holes, else cables could get lost in the space between the walls.

The hole isn't through a wall. It's through a brick arrangement jutting out from a wall. The hole would run parallel to the back wall. Hopefully this image explains it a bit better.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/6462594/drilling.jpg

ZG002 · 15 Aug 2015 at 07:53

Just google 50mm core drill. Even Amazon have one for under £10, borrow a SDS drill and away you go. It's all pretty easy tbh. I've used SDS drill's to core out 127mm holes plenty of times.

Millwall.FC · 15 Aug 2015 at 16:19

SPG said:
My only complaint is this is 2015.

INCHES ARE NO LONGER USED

Hang your head in shame and sacrifice a pet.

Thanks for making me laugh very noble sacrifice of your dignity.

NickK · 16 Aug 2015 at 10:23

Just test where you're drilling for electrical wires and pipes first..

brick arrangement in my basement

Also check how the water table is sealed in the basement.. if you drill through and cause ingress if water/weakened basement wall that could be an issue..

Coring will create lots of dust and noise - mask, goggles, ear defenders and vacuum at the ready.

I did my extractor fan with a coring bit through brick, just ensure you use a drill with a clutch to protect you if the core bit jams (this will occur if you're not used to doing it).

Skiddley · 17 Aug 2015 at 10:18

maccapacca said:
Depends how neat you want it, 50mm is too big for an SDS drill.

Really?

We definately did a bathroom fan pipe (4"?) through 9inches of engineering brick with my Makita SDS last year. the core that was removed was pristine.

kaptainmarc · 17 Aug 2015 at 11:02

SDS drill and a good drill bit. Put a boiler flu in with one through no fines concrete so yours should be a breeze

Picture for proof

If you don't DIY much and will never use it again just go hire one

Skiddley · 17 Aug 2015 at 13:36

I used the same drill

Quartz · 17 Aug 2015 at 17:08

MarcLister said:
The hole isn't through a wall. It's through a brick arrangement jutting out from a wall. The hole would run parallel to the back wall. Hopefully this image explains it a bit better.

Right. In that case I think you should still consider using a pipe, but cut away. This will help keep the cables tidy.

MarcLister · 17 Aug 2015 at 21:10

NickK said:
Just test where you're drilling for electrical wires and pipes first..

Also check how the water table is sealed in the basement.. if you drill through and cause ingress if water/weakened basement wall that could be an issue..

Coring will create lots of dust and noise - mask, goggles, ear defenders and vacuum at the ready.

I did my extractor fan with a coring bit through brick, just ensure you use a drill with a clutch to protect you if the core bit jams (this will occur if you're not used to doing it).

Hi NickK. Was going to check for wires and pipes. It is very unlikely there's anything there as they are just little bits sticking out to support a fireplace on the two floors above. There's also nothing where I want to drill that is relevant to water table but will check anyway so I'm sure.

kaptainmarc said:
SDS drill and a good drill bit. Put a boiler flu in with one through no fines concrete so yours should be a breeze

Picture for proof

If you don't DIY much and will never use it again just go hire one

This is what I'm thinking, hire one.

Quartz said:
Right. In that case I think you should still consider using a pipe, but cut away. This will help keep the cables tidy.

I'd have to find a way to get the cables to come out of the pipe for the first place and then carry the pipe on for the other place.

NickK · 18 Aug 2015 at 08:02

MarcLister said:
Hi NickK. Was going to check for wires and pipes. It is very unlikely there's anything there as they are just little bits sticking out to support a fireplace on the two floors above. There's also nothing where I want to drill that is relevant to water table but will check anyway so I'm sure.

This is what I'm thinking, hire one.

I'd have to find a way to get the cables to come out of the pipe for the first place and then carry the pipe on for the other place.

When you core - DO NOT USE THE HAMMER

Just basically take it slow and let the coring bit grind the path.

I'd say a minimum you'd need is 650W however it's easier with a higher power drill (mine is 850W) but remember you will be holding the drill for some time.. so using a light weight drill is good - 2Kg class for example not a 5Kg class.

MarcLister · 18 Aug 2015 at 21:02

NickK said:
When you core - DO NOT USE THE HAMMER

Just basically take it slow and let the coring bit grind the path.

I'd say a minimum you'd need is 650W however it's easier with a higher power drill (mine is 850W) but remember you will be holding the drill for some time.. so using a light weight drill is good - 2Kg class for example not a 5Kg class.

Good advice. Thanks.