Clipacore Xpresscut Core Drill Bit Product Guidelines

Clipacore Core Drill Bit: Comprehensive Product Guidelines & Best Practice

Dry diamond core bits are essential tools across many trades, delivering powerful results when used correctly. To ensure you get the most out of your Clipacore Xpresscut core bits – achieving perfect results and maximising their lifespan – we’ve put together this detailed guide. It covers everything from optimal machine setup to drilling techniques and crucial safety advice.

1. Getting Started: The Right Machine & Setup

Your choice of equipment and initial setup are vital for safe, efficient drilling and to protect your core bit.

Recommended Drill: We strongly advise using a dedicated diamond core machine or a robust rotary drill with a minimum power of 850 watts.
Essential Features: Your drill must be fitted with variable speed control and a safety clutch (either mechanical or electronic).
Safety First: Always Use the Side Handle! For your safety, and for the drill's clutch to operate correctly, the manufacturer-supplied side handle must always be fitted to the machine.
The Golden Rule: NO Hammer Action! NEVER use the hammer action setting when drilling with a dry diamond core bit. This will instantly damage the bit and is entirely ineffective for diamond core drilling.

2. Material Suitability: Use the Right Bit for the Job

Using your Clipacore core bit on the correct materials is fundamental to its performance and longevity. Please consult this guide before commencing any work.

Material	Regular Use	Occasional Use
Brick-class A engineering		/ *
Brick-class B engineering	/
Brick-standard facing	/
Clay products		/ *
Concrete blocks (3 to 7 newton)	/
Concrete blocks (7 to 12 newton)	/
Concrete blocks (12+ newton)	/
Concrete-beams with rebar		/
Concrete-kerbs (without rebar)	/
Concrete-pipes and slabs (with rebar)		/
Cement screed		/ *
Concrete-block paving	/
Limestone aggregate concrete	/

Important: Do Not Use On These Hard Materials

Site-cast concrete
Hard engineering brick (unless specified above for occasional use)
Stones (e.g., granite)
Accrington red brick
Porcelain

*A Note on 'Glazing' (Clogging):

For softer materials (like Class A brick, clay, and cement screed) marked for "Occasional Use," you might encounter 'glazing'. This is when soft debris clogs the diamonds on the bit, reducing its cutting ability.

If your bit starts to glaze, you can easily 'de-glaze' it by drilling into a harder, recommended material (e.g., a concrete block) for a few moments until it cuts cleanly again.

3. Optimal Drilling Technique: Dos and Don'ts

Your technique significantly impacts drilling efficiency, core bit life, and safety.

Dry Diamond Core Bit Do's

Wear Appropriate PPE: Always use personal protective equipment (PPE) including eye protection, gloves, and hearing protection.
Select the Right Core Bit: Ensure you've chosen the correct diameter and type of core bit for your specific application and material.
Initial Pilot Hole: Once you've drilled approximately ½ inch into the material, eject the pilot drill.
Manage Your RPM:
- For harder materials and larger diameter cores, use a slower RPM.
- For softer materials and smaller diameter cores, use a higher RPM.
Clear Debris Regularly: Dust accumulation is a major cause of problems.
- The Problem: If dust builds up, especially in damp conditions (common in winter), it can form a paste, causing the core to 'jam' in the hole. This can lead to the machine 'kicking' – a serious safety risk if your drill's clutch isn't working or the side handle isn't fitted.
- The Solution: Periodically withdraw the bit from the hole (ensuring it continues to spin) to allow debris to fall away and disperse.
  - Damp Conditions: Do this for every inch of material penetration.
  - Dry Conditions: Clearing the hole every couple of inches is usually sufficient.
Gentle Pressure: Apply only enough pressure to keep the core in contact with the material surface. Let the core bit do the work – it's designed to cut efficiently without excessive force.
Continue Rotation on Withdrawal: Keep the core rotating as you withdraw it from the hole to aid debris removal.
Jammed Core? Remove Manually: If, despite precautions, the core becomes jammed, remove it manually. Attempting to use the machine's power to free a jammed core will damage the drill's safety clutch.

Dry Diamond Core Bit Don'ts

Don't Use Hammer Action: This is critical – never engage the hammer function.
Don't Apply Excessive Pressure: Forcing the core won't make it cut faster; it will reduce drilling speed, overheat the bit, shorten its lifespan, and potentially damage your machine.
Don't Drill Continuously: Avoid long, uninterrupted drilling motions without pausing to clear debris. This leads to overheating and jamming.
Don't Drill Hard, Unsuitable Materials: Avoid materials like cast concrete, granite, natural stone, or porcelain unless specifically advised. Refer to the Material Suitability Guide above.

4. Liability and Support

Clipacore and the Clipacore Store cannot accept responsibility or liability for any damages or product failure arising from, or connected with, the misuse of our products.

Should damage occur to the diamond segments (e.g., they separate from the barrel), please send photographic evidence of both the core bit and the hole being drilled for examination by our expert technicians. You can send this information to: enquiries@clipacore.com