Core Drills

Learn more about core drills

Cut large-diameter holes safely and efficiently with our professional-grade core drills. Engineered specifically for high-torque applications, these machines are essential for plumbing, heating, and electrical installations requiring clean penetrations through brickwork, concrete, and stone blocks. Unlike standard rotary hammers, a dedicated core drilling machine delivers the precise RPM and heavy-duty motor cooling necessary to spin large diamond cores without burning out.

 

A dedicated heavy duty core drill differs fundamentally from a standard combi or SDS drill. Core drilling relies on steady, high-torque rotary action combined with high-grade diamond segments to grind through masonry, rather than hammering against it. Because of this, these drills must never be used on hammer mode, as the impact will shatter the expensive diamond segments on your core bits.

 

Typical uses

 

• HVAC & heating: Drilling pristine holes through external cavity walls for boiler flues and ventilation ducts.

 

• Plumbing inspections: Creating smooth paths for 110mm soil pipes and heavy-duty waste systems.

 

• Electrical & telecoms: Boring large entries for multi-cable conduits into commercial properties and substations.

 

• Structural testing: Extracting clean core samples from structural concrete walls and foundations for safety analysis.

 

How to choose the right core drills

To select the correct machine, consider your primary working environment and core diameter requirements:

 

• Dry core drills: The most popular choice for domestic installations. These machines operate at higher RPMs and are ideal for standard bricks, breeze blocks, and soft stone where water cannot be used due to indoor finishes.

 

• Wet core drilling systems: Typically required for commercial sites or when drilling through high-density reinforced concrete. The water feed cools the diamond segments and completely suppresses hazardous silica dust, though it requires a water management system.

 

• Safety features: Always check for an integrated mechanical safety clutch and electronic soft-start, which prevent the drill from violently kicking back if the core bit snags on rebar or hard flint.

 

Before you order

Before finalising your purchase, match the machine’s chuck system (typically 1/2" BSP or 1-1/4" UNC threads) with the core bits and extension rods in your kit. 

 

Ensure you have appropriate M-class dust extraction equipment on hand if you are dry drilling, as compliance with UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) silica dust regulations is mandatory on all commercial sites.

 

Explore our range of core drills

Browse our comprehensive range below to find the ideal power ratings, speeds, and safety configurations for your trade. 

 

We stock industry-leading brands designed for the demanding conditions of UK job sites. Our selection features built-in mechanical and electronic safety clutches to protect operators from sudden binding or jams. Whether you need a high-torque dry diamond core drill for interior retrofits or an industrial rig for reinforced concrete, Travis Perkins has the right equipment to keep your project moving.

 

Use our Click & Collect service to have your heavy-duty tools ready at your nearest Travis Perkins branch in as little as one hour, or enjoy reliable direct site delivery to keep your workflow on track.