Diamond Core Drill Bit Dry vs. Wet-11 Things You Should Know

FACTS CHECKED BY  NICOLE PAV 

Drilling has a vast number of applications in a diverse range of industries. The diamond core drill bit is a unique process to remove cylindrical shapes from different materials. Users adopt it in the wireline drilling method used in mineral exploration. You can also use it for jobs involving pipes and electrical fences.

Nevertheless, these applications require two drilling methods: dry and wet ways. If users are genuinely concerned about desirable results, Knowing the suitability of the two ways is crucial. This article addresses the dry diamond core drill bit and wet diamond core drill bit. Here are 11 things you should know:

Table of Contents

diamond core drill bit wet Core Drilling Done with cold water

(diamond core drill bit wet Core Drilling Done with cold water)

1. Application Range of Wet Diamond Core Drill Bit

Wet core drilling has a vast range of applications. This type of drilling involves using water to ease the drill pierce on a material. The damp core drill has a unique design with a hollow center.

This hollow center helps in removing the core from the hole, resulting in a clean surface.

Wet core drilling has found use in plumbing works. It also has applications for masonry for pipes or maintenance holes. This wet method limits the dust during drilling since water flushes the cuts.

It is also advantageous because the wet core drills leave a few fragments behind. These attributes make it suitable for drilling, soft brick, hard brick, and reinforced concrete.

Wet diamond core drill bit Core Drilling Operation

( Wet diamond core drill bit Core Drilling Operation)

2. Wet Diamond Core Drill Bit Service Life

Because the wet diamond core drill bit involves water, the risk of accelerated wear reduces significantly. The water cools the heat generated during drilling instead of the dry core drill bit.

Also, wet core drilling operates at fast drilling speeds. Hence, they don’t take much time during operation.

All these characteristics make wet core drilling more durable. They will last longer in service compared to dry core drilling.

3. Wet Diamond Core Drill Bit Requires Cold Water

Heat is a significant result of friction. It is prevalent in core drilling when two or more surface rubs against one another. Using different coolants, such as water, is very useful in controlling the heat associated with drilling.

However, using more cooling water is even more helpful.

Since the temperature of the water is shallow, it will be able to absorb more heat as opposed to water at standard room temperature. As a rule of thumb, if you decide to use the wet diamond core drill bit, you must use cold water.

4. Wet Diamond Core Bits Need to Avoid Electrical Environment

Although a wet diamond core drill bit is preferred, it has some disadvantages. More importantly, you cannot use it just anywhere. Safety measures must not be taken with levity when working on the wet diamond core.

Things get tricky when working in an environment with electrical wires and cables. During wet core drilling, the electrical wiring gets damaged in the presence of water.

If these are all the problems you want to solve, you are fortunate. In the worst-case scenario, this often causes a fire.

Wet diamond core drill bit used in an environment without electricity 

(Wet diamond core drill bit used in an environment without electricity )

5. Applicable Equipment for Wet Diamond Core Drill Bit

These materials can use Diamond Core Drilling wet. Examples are the handheld core drill and the core drill rig. Using wet core bits for an angle hammer and rotary hammer drill is not a good idea.

Please keep in mind one important thing regarding the handheld core drill and other equipment. Do not abuse the cord by using it to carry, pull, or unplug the drill.

You must also protect the cables from heat and sharp edges to avoid exposing them to electric shocks.

6. Dry Diamond Core Drilling Application Range is Lower than Wet

There are times when the environment does not favor damp core bits. You can use the dry core bits on a core drill rig or a standard handheld core drill when this happens.

You can use a dry core bit on a rotary hammer drill in conjunction with an adapter. However, neglecting the adapter is not always desirable because you will obtain slow RPM. Besides, it becomes tough to have precise control over the bit.

A better option is using the clutch system on a dedicated core drill. The recommended materials are blocks, bricks, and soft concrete.

Dry diamond core drill bit for concrete

(Dry diamond core drill bit for concrete)

7. Dry Diamond Core Drill Bit Will Generate a lot of Dust

One of the reasons why some users prefer wet core drilling over dry core drilling is because of the dust produced during operation.

Asides from the fact that you have to work with a low RPM, you will face challenges with visibility because of all the earth created. Your best option will be to keep pausing the operation to see the progress of the work.

You should use the horizontal drilling method for dry diamond core drilling. Dust is not extracted efficiently in the vertical mode. Hence, you will experience slower drilling.

8. Dry Diamond Core Drill Bit Service Life

Dry diamond core drilling operation is associated with accelerated wear because of the excess amount of heat generated. The lack of a cooling agent causes this wear, and the debris flying around worsens it.

This accelerated wear significantly impacts the service life of drill bits. Their service life is less lengthy than the wet diamond core drill bits.

Nevertheless, there are some things you must keep in mind to improve the service life of the dry diamond core drill bits.

  • Do not use excessive pressure while drilling
  • Clear chips from deep holes regularly
  • Avoid using side pressure on it
  • Always run the bit at the appropriate speed for suitable materials.
Dry Core Drilling

(Dry Core Drilling)

9. Equipment Suitable for Dry Diamond Core Drilling

The handheld and core drill rigs are suitable for dry core bits. The handheld core drill machine is compact and can easily carry to the worksite.

You can also use the rotary hammer drill. However, you must remember to turn off hammering.

As a rule of thumb, never use an angle grinder for dry core bits. The RPMs are generally too high, and the absence of a clutch makes it unsafe for use in the core drill rig.

The bare core bits usually are suitable for masonry, bricks, and unreinforced concrete.

Core Hammer Drill Bit

(Core Hammer Drill Bit)

10. Different Accessories for Dry and Wet Drill Bits

Having the right accessories before commencing any core drilling operation, whether small or large. The most important accessory is the drill itself.

Without it, rotational energy would not be visible on the diamond core drill bit. These drills have unique designs with built-in clutches, which act as a safety device during operation.

Dry core and wet diamond core drill bit operations are quite different. Hence, they require various accessories. You can use the pilot drill bit in dry core drilling.

This drill bit acts as a pilot hole, which helps to guide the drill. The pilot hole is merely preparatory, which eases the passage of more solid objects.

A shaft extension (male or female) is also used with core bits to extend the cutting depth, whether wet or dry.

Another essential accessory for dry core drilling is the adapter. Dry wet core drilling and core drilling operation can use it. It comes in different sizes, such as 5/8 inches, ½ inch, and 11/4 inches.

It serves as a connection for the drill and core drill bits. It screws to the back of the core drill. Remember to always wear a pair of gloves and safety glasses while working.

Operators use a brass ring to separate the connection between the core bit and the core drill motor. This separation helps prevent the bit from seizing when you remove it from the core drill motor. It is an essential accessory in wet core drilling.

Operators use the drill stand for wet core drilling operations. You can fasten it to the floor through the anchor bolts or a wall using a vacuum pump.

11. Can the two replace each other?

The dry diamond core and wet diamond core drill bit are unique. Some situations require wet core drilling, while others are more suited for dry core drilling. Therefore, it is essential to use not only the right core drill bits but also suitable accessories.

The brass ring, drill stand, and anchor bolts are ideal for wet core drilling operations. The other accessories suitable for dry core drilling can also be used for wet core drilling. The pilot drill is more suited for use for dry core drilling.

Summary

This article has done justice to what you must know about the diamond core drill bit. There are many suppliers of core drill bits, drill bits, arbors, and many other accessories.

However, there are only a few trusted suppliers with quality products.
NCCuttingtools has a wide range of products ranging from diamond core drill bits to other drill bits.

They also have experienced personnel to guide customers on the different challenges they might be experiencing.

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