Diamond core drill bits can cut through steel, such as rebar. When drilling through concrete that contains rebar, you will feel resistance when the drill bit meets the steel. Ease up on the pressure but maintain proper speed, and the diamond core drill will cut through. Before cutting through materials like rebar, be sure to consult the operator’s manual for guidance.

First, you will need to measure the diameter of the hole you need and the width of the concrete you need to drill through. A hand-held core drill can remove cores less than 3 inches in diameter and less than 4 inches thick. If you need to drill a core 4 inches wide or more, regardless of wall thickness, a mounted core drill would be the correct choice. Read the instruction manual for your core drill for model-specific instructions. You should drill a starter hole with a drill bit before removing a core. Then, once you are ready to drill, do not use a hammer or force the drill; otherwise, you may damage the bit or injure yourself.

Mounted core drills will not work properly if they aren't anchored to the floor in some way. Some models require drilled anchor points; others have a vacuum seal system that will keep the rig secure on the floor while you drill.

There are some core drills that are designed for both wet and dry drilling. It is safer for operators to use water to minimize dust, but we offer vacuum attachment accessories for dry drill applications.

Yes, you can core drill a concrete slab. For maximum stability, use a rig-mounted core drill, which can drill a hole up to 10 inches in diameter into slabs.