I need to drill through facade brick (hollow brick) to install a water spout. A hole of at least 20 mm is needed. I'm a bit worried about cracking the brick, any tips to minimize that risk?
- Drill in the middle of a brick, or in a joint?
- Pre-drill with a smaller diameter or go directly with 20 mm?
Sometimes it's suggested to use a regular drill instead of a hammer drill to reduce the risk of cracks. However, 20 mm concrete/brick bits are only available with an SDS chuck (at least ones that are easy to find). Is it OK to use the hammer drill, carefully?
- Drill in the middle of a brick, or in a joint?
- Pre-drill with a smaller diameter or go directly with 20 mm?
Sometimes it's suggested to use a regular drill instead of a hammer drill to reduce the risk of cracks. However, 20 mm concrete/brick bits are only available with an SDS chuck (at least ones that are easy to find). Is it OK to use the hammer drill, carefully?
If you have a multi-hammer, like a Metabo, I would probably say that you can use it with the SDS chuck without percussion. But I'm not sure now that I think about it 
On the other hand, it's possible to put an SDS drill bit in a regular chuck.
Bosch Multi Construction is available up to 20mm, use one of those, or a Multi Construction hole saw, then you'll get a super fine hole, or a hole saw with a diamond edge.
http://www.bosch-pt.com/se/sv/accocs/Tillbehör/207659/universalborr-cyl-9-multi-construction/
Go right in the middle of a brick.
On the other hand, it's possible to put an SDS drill bit in a regular chuck.
Bosch Multi Construction is available up to 20mm, use one of those, or a Multi Construction hole saw, then you'll get a super fine hole
, or a hole saw with a diamond edge.http://www.bosch-pt.com/se/sv/accocs/Tillbehör/207659/universalborr-cyl-9-multi-construction/
Go right in the middle of a brick.
I have a cheap hammer drill, but it can be used without impact. I thought that a little impact might be needed (like in a regular impact drill), but maybe rotation is enough. I have some loose bricks, I'll give it a try. Thanks for the tips!
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· Västra Götaland
· 145 posts
With a good/sharp drill (Bosch Multi Construction is very good!) it works well without percussion, even if it might take a little time. But if it's just a single hole, then it's fine.
As mentioned, a percussion drill is gentler on the material. If you have one with a 13 mm chuck, you can actually fasten an SDS drill bit in it with a bit of fiddling.
As mentioned, a percussion drill is gentler on the material. If you have one with a 13 mm chuck, you can actually fasten an SDS drill bit in it with a bit of fiddling.