Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drill - Slotted Barrel

Health and Safety Considerations

Use a rotary drill with a slipping clutch rated at a minimum of 850W and set it to rotary only, never hammer.

Fit and use the side handle and hold the drill with two hands to manage torque kickback. Wear eye protection, hearing protection, a suitable dust mask or respirator, gloves and sturdy footwear.

Control silica dust with local extraction where possible and keep the work area well ventilated. Survey the drilling route for concealed services with a detector and mark safe stand-off zones.

Work from a secure platform, not from the top step of a ladder. Always isolate the drill from the power supply before fitting or removing adaptors, pilots, extension bars or the core barrel.

Allow hot cores to cool before handling. Follow the drill and accessory manufacturers’ instructions throughout.

Site Preparation

Confirm the material is suitable for dry coring and choose the correct DCX90 diameter. Mark the centre of the hole and check both sides of the wall for clear access.

Prepare the accessories you will need, including the correct adaptor to provide a 1/2” BSP male fitting, an A-taper pilot drill, a drift key for ejecting the pilot, an extension bar for deeper walls, and a vacuum for dust control.

Inspect the core barrel to ensure segments are sound and free from damage, and check that the slotted and fluted barrel is clear of debris. Lightly score the surface paint or plaster at the start point to help the segments bite cleanly.

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Isolate the drill from the power supply. Fit the appropriate adaptor in the drill chuck so that you have a 1/2” BSP male fitment. Adaptor choice can vary by drill model, so follow your drill handbook.
   
   

2. Insert the A-taper pilot drill into the adaptor and check it is seated securely.
   
   

3. Screw the DCX90 dry core barrel on to the adaptor by hand and nip up firmly. Confirm the drill is set to rotary only and the clutch is active.
   
   

4. Place the pilot on your marked centre and hold the drill square to the surface. Start the drill at a steady, low speed and allow the segments to begin cutting a shallow ring. Do not force the tool.
   
   

5. When the segments have established a groove to a depth of about 10 mm, withdraw the core barrel from the cut while the drill is stopped.
   
   

6. Insert the drift key into the adaptor and eject the pilot drill. Remove the pilot and put it aside.
   
   

7. Re-introduce the core into the existing groove and recommence drilling. Use a smooth feed pressure and moderate speed. Every few seconds ease the core out slightly to clear dust; the slotted and fluted barrel helps waste escape but periodic clearing keeps progress fast and prevents glazing.
   
   

8. When you penetrate the first masonry course or leaf, stop the drill and withdraw the core from the hole.
   
   

9. Remove the slug from inside the barrel and clean out loose dust so airflow through the slots remains free.
   
   

10. If additional reach is needed, unscrew the core from the adaptor and remove the adaptor from the chuck.
    
    

11. Fit the extension bar into the drill chuck and tighten securely.
    
    

12. Re-attach the core barrel to the end of the extension bar and check all threads are tight.
    
    

13. Resume drilling, using the established first-course hole as a guide. Keep the tool square, clear dust periodically, and complete the penetration. Remove the final slug and brush out the hole ready for the next stage of your job.
    
    

Good Practice, Troubleshooting and Care

Run the drill at a controlled, moderate speed; excessive speed can glaze the segments and slow progress. If cutting slows, withdraw and let dust clear; if the segments appear polished, dress them lightly on a soft abrasive block to expose fresh diamond.

Never use hammer action with a dry core. If you meet an unexpectedly hard inclusion or metal fixings, stop and assess before proceeding.

Allow the barrel to cool between long cuts. After use, clean dust from the flutes and slots, check segment condition, lightly oil the threads on the barrel, adaptor and extension bar, and store the core in a dry case.

Q) What are Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills with a slotted barrel and what are they designed to do?

A) Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills with slotted, fluted barrels are professional diamond core bits engineered for rapid, clean coring in common masonry without water. Each core uses high grade X90 diamond segments that are brazed to a robust, welded steel barrel, delivering fast penetration with low wear and a long, predictable service life. The 10 mm segment height provides generous usable diamond, so productivity stays high across multiple holes and change-outs are less frequent. The slotted and fluted body actively vents dust from the kerf which improves cooling, limits glazing and keeps the cut free running. A 1/2” BSP female backend ensures broad compatibility with standard arbors, extensions and adaptors, so the cores drop into typical site setups with minimal fuss. Used with an 850W or higher drill motor fitted with a slipping clutch and set to rotary only, the Mexco DCX90 range starts accurately, stays true and leaves neat edges ready for fixings, conduits, sleeves and vents. For day to day drilling in brick, block and suitable stone, they provide the balance of speed, control and lifetime that busy trades rely on.

Q) Which materials can Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills handle and where should they not be used?

A) Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills are optimised for dry coring in medium soft facing brick, concrete blocks, breeze block and lightweight aggregate products such as Lignacite, as well as coarse and hard sandstone and soft slate. The X90 diamond matrix offers an assertive bite at the leading edge yet remains stable through mixed masonry, so hole geometry remains true even where densities vary. Because these are dry cores, performance depends on dust evacuation and steady technique rather than water cooling, and the slotted, fluted barrel geometry is tuned to keep debris moving out of the kerf. They are not intended for hammer mode and should not be used on hammer settings. As with any dry core, avoid heavily reinforced concrete, dense engineering brick of very high class and hard inclusions where progress stalls, since metal reinforcement and very dense aggregates demand different methods and risk binding the barrel. If you encounter metal fixings mid cut, stop and assess, then relocate or switch to a suitable method. For plastered or painted faces, lightly score the surface to help the segments bite cleanly before beginning the core.

Q) What drill, arbor and accessories do Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills require for safe, productive use?

A) Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills feature a 1/2” BSP female backend, so they pair with standard 1/2” BSP male arbors and common extension bars for deeper penetrations. Use a professional rotary drill motor rated at 850W or higher and fitted with a functioning slipping clutch to protect both the operator and the gearbox if the core binds. Set the drill to rotary only and fit the side handle; two handed control is essential for torque events. Many installers begin with an A-taper pilot in the arbor to establish a shallow guide ring, then eject the pilot with a drift key before continuing the cut. Keep a suitable adaptor for your drill chuck, an extension bar for thicker walls, and a vacuum or extractor for dust control. Inspect the core before use to confirm the diamond segments are sound and the slotted, fluted barrel is clear of debris. Lightly oil the threads on arbor and extension for easy assembly and removal. This straightforward setup allows the Mexco DCX90 range to integrate with existing site kits while meeting the manufacturer’s requirement for clutch-equipped rotary drilling.

Q) How should I use Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills to achieve fast, clean holes and long tool life?

A) Mark the centre, confirm the drilling route is clear of services, then fit the correct arbor so the 1/2” BSP male thread mates with the Mexco DCX90 core. Start square to the surface with a steady low speed, allowing the diamond segments to cut a shallow ring rather than forcing the tool. Once a groove of roughly 10 mm depth is formed, stop the drill, remove the pilot from the arbor, then re-introduce the core into the groove and continue at a moderate speed with consistent, controlled feed pressure. Every few seconds ease the core out slightly to let dust escape; although the slotted and fluted barrel clears debris efficiently, periodic relief keeps the cut cool and prevents glazing. Never use hammer mode. When you break through the first leaf, stop, withdraw the core and remove the slug and loose dust, then use an extension bar if extra reach is needed. Maintain the same controlled technique through the second leaf. The result is a neat, true bore with clean edges and minimal making good, while the segments run cool and retain their sharpness for the next hole.

Q) Why does the slotted and fluted barrel on Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills improve performance compared with plain barrels?

A) The slotted and fluted barrel on Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills is engineered to manage dust and heat, the two factors that most often slow dry coring. Longitudinal slots increase the open area of the barrel wall so fine debris can evacuate the kerf and ambient air can circulate around the segment tips. External flutes assist by moving larger fines away from the cut as the barrel rotates, which reduces regrinding and the polishing that causes glazing. With waste removed and airflow improved, the diamond tips continue to chip and slice the matrix rather than skid over compacted dust, so penetration remains brisk with less applied pressure. Lower friction translates into lower running temperature, which protects the bond and preserves the 10 mm segment height for a longer working life. The flat curve segment geometry complements this by keeping vibration low and the cut stable. In lightweight aggregate blocks and soft to medium sandstones, where fines can quickly clog a plain barrel, the DCX90 slotted and fluted design maintains a free running kerf and consistent progress across hole after hole.

Q) What sizes are available in Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills and how do I select the right diameter for the job?

A) The Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drill range covers a broad spread of diameters for common first fix and retrofit tasks, from smaller sizes used for fixings and services through to larger cores for ducts and vents. Selection is driven by the required finished hole and any sleeves or components that must pass through the opening. For Passyfier Dehumidifier installations, the 132mm Core is the go to for Passyfier Core 100 installations and the 162mm Core suits Passyfier Core 140 installations, producing neat circular apertures that accept the vent bodies with minimal making good. For services, choose a diameter that provides a sensible clearance around the pipe or conduit while respecting the structure. Always measure the actual component and check any manufacturer guidance for allowance. Remember that wall build-ups, plaster thickness and external finishes affect the clearance needed. If the wall is thicker than the standard core length, include a compatible extension bar in your setup. With Mexco DCX90’s 1/2” BSP female backend, building the correct assembly of arbor, extension and core is straightforward.

Q) What are common issues when using Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills and how can I troubleshoot and care for the cores?

A) Slowing progress often indicates glazing, which occurs when dust compacts and polishes the diamond edges. Withdraw the core briefly to clear debris, reduce speed slightly and apply steady, not excessive, feed pressure. If the segment faces look polished, dress them on a soft abrasive block to expose fresh diamond. Binding or snatch usually means the drill is out of square, feed is inconsistent or the substrate has a hard inclusion; correct your stance, re-establish the groove, and let the clutch do its job if the core catches. Excess heat shortens life, so ease the core out periodically and let the slotted and fluted barrel do its cooling work. Poor hole accuracy can result from starting on glossy paint or plaster; lightly score the face to help the segments bite. After drilling, remove slugs promptly, brush out dust from the slots and flutes, inspect segment integrity and lightly oil threads on the barrel, arbor and extensions before storage. Never use hammer mode, never exceed sensible speed, and allow hot cores to cool naturally. These simple habits keep Mexco DCX90 cores fast cutting and reliable across demanding programmes.

Q) What safety and dust control guidance applies when operating Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills on site?

A) Always use a rotary drill rated at 850W or higher with a functioning slipping clutch and fit the side handle for two handed control. Set the drill to rotary only and confirm the clutch engages under stall to limit torque kickback. Wear eye protection, hearing protection, gloves and sturdy footwear, and use a suitable dust mask or respirator since masonry dust contains respirable crystalline silica. Connect a vacuum or local extraction where possible, keep the work area ventilated and avoid drilling from ladders; use a secure platform. Survey the drilling path with a detector to avoid live cables, pipework, lintels and damp proof courses, and mark safe stand-off zones. Isolate the drill from power before fitting or removing the arbor, pilot, extension bar or core, and allow hot barrels to cool before handling. Keep clothing and hair clear of the rotating assembly and maintain awareness of bystanders. Follow the drill and accessory manufacturers’ instructions throughout. Used with this level of care, Mexco DCX90 Dry Core Drills deliver fast, tidy results with a safety margin appropriate to professional work.

Technical Data Sheet