Diamond core drills are the trade standard for cutting accurate, circular openings in masonry with minimal breakout and a neat edge that is ready for fixings, sleeves, conduits or vents. Instead of tearing material away like percussion bits, a diamond core uses industrial diamond segments to grind a precise annulus through the substrate. The result is faster progress, smoother hole walls and less post-drill remedial work on brick, block and similar materials. In this category, Platinum Chemicals focuses on professional-grade dry coring solutions for construction, M&E, plumbing, HVAC and refurbishment work across the UK.

What Diamond Core Drills Do

A diamond core removes a ring of material while leaving a solid plug. That cutting method reduces vibration at the drill, helps holes track true and achieves a cleaner finish around finished surfaces. With the correct technique and machine, dry coring in masonry is rapid and repeatable, which is why cores are used for soil and waste pipes, boiler flues, cooker hoods, tumble dryer vents, extract fans, AC linesets, cable routes and service sleeves in both domestic and commercial projects.

Where and When to Use Diamond Cores

On site, dry diamond cores are the go-to for holes through facing brick, blockwork and many natural or reconstituted stones when water is undesirable. They are ideal for remodels and live environments where controlling slurry is difficult, for overhead work where wet methods are impractical, and for rapid penetrations that must be clean enough to accept glands, bungs or sleeves without extensive making good. For very dense reinforced concrete or highly abrasive aggregates, a wet core or a specialist grade may be more appropriate, but for the vast majority of common UK masonry, a quality dry core delivers the speed and finish trades expect.

Substrates and Suitability

Professional dry cores are specified for medium density materials such as common brick, concrete block, lightweight block and many sandstones. Modern segment matrices balance cutting aggression with life so you can advance quickly without glazing the segment. Always match the grade to the task and keep feed steady so the segment does the work. As a rule, avoid hammer action and avoid using dry cores on heavily reinforced concrete unless the manufacturer explicitly rates the product for that use.

Correct Drive and Safe Technique

Dry diamond cores must be run on a non-percussive drill. Use a professional drill motor with a slipping clutch to manage kick-back and specify sufficient power for the core diameter, typically 850W or more for general site coring. Maintain a firm stance, keep the core square to the surface, start slowly to seat the segments, then feed with steady pressure. Do not use hammer mode. For dust control, capture at source where possible and clear fines from the kerf to keep the cut free-running and the segment cool. Follow the drill and accessory maker’s safety guidance at all times.

Barrel and Segment Technology

Segment geometry and barrel design determine cutting speed, stability and cleanliness of the hole. Slotted or fluted barrels actively vent dust and fines from the cut, improving cooling and resistance to glazing so the core keeps pulling through without stalling. A standardised 1/2” BSP female backend provides straightforward compatibility with arbors, extensions and guides across typical site systems, which keeps setups simple and scalable from small service penetrations to larger vent or flue holes.

Our Featured Trade Option

Within this category you will find the Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drill - Slotted Barrel, a professional dry core engineered around high-grade X90 diamond segments for fast, clean coring in masonry. The slotted barrel promotes dust ejection and cooling, while the 1/2” BSP backend integrates easily with standard arbors and extensions. Pair with a non-percussive clutch drill of 850W+ for controlled, productive drilling on site.

Sizes and System Compatibility

Dry core systems cover common trade diameters for services and ventilation. Typical kits and ranges include smaller pilots and utility sizes through to larger cores for extract and flue penetrations, with accessories such as arbors, pilot guides and extensions to suit varied standoff and reach requirements. Compatibility is simplified by the 1/2” BSP female thread and by widely supported frame and arbor standards across the trade.

Why Buy Diamond Core Drills from Platinum Chemicals

Platinum Chemicals supplies trade-ready diamond cores with the performance, compatibility and longevity professionals demand. As a UK reseller of Mexco diamond core drills, we back high-specification products with knowledgeable support so you can choose the right diameter and setup for brick, block and mixed masonry tasks, maintain productivity on site and achieve a clean, finished hole with minimal making good.