I used to hate running wire in old brick houses, but a simple trick changed that

For years, I'd spend ages trying to drill through the brick and mortar in these old Chicago homes, often breaking bits. About six months ago, a retired installer told me to use a small diamond-tipped core bit with a steady water drip from a sponge. It goes through like butter and doesn't crack the brick. I've saved at least an hour per job since I started. Has anyone else found a better method for masonry work?

2 comments

2 Comments

dakotaknight25d ago

Tried the diamond core bit trick last month on a pre-war brownstone and it was a total game changer. I mean, I was always scared of blowing out the whole brick face with a hammer drill. The water drip from a sponge is the key part, keeps the dust down and the bit cool. Still takes some patience but it's way cleaner and faster than anything else I've used.

nathanl3625d ago

My buddy Mike in Philly had a real bad time trying to run a line through a solid brick fireplace last year. He was using a regular masonry bit and ended up with a huge crack and a very angry homeowner. I just sent him @dakotaknight's post about the diamond core bit and water trick, he said it would have saved him a ton of headache and money. That method seems like the only smart way to do it now.