If you have spent any time drilling into concrete with rebar chances are you have ruined a bit or two. Instead of just powering through it however there is a much faster cheaper way. For repetitive drilling with a SDS-Max or Spline Hammer Drill the best setup we have found is to use a second drill with a carbide cutter. The good news is the second drill would be a much smaller drill (not in hammer mode) either a SDS-Plus Rebar Cutter or coming soon you can also use a strait shank carbide cutter and still be able to cut up to 1.5” rebar. Most people will already have one of those drills so for the price of a cutter ($30-60, Ohio Power Tool) you can save potentially hundreds in concrete bits. Read the full Bosch Press Release below for more info.
Mount Prospect, Ill. – Bosch, the world leader in concrete and masonry tool accessories has added straight shank rebar cutters to its line-up for use with hammer drills and rotary drills. Bosch drills through rebar up to 36 percent faster and lasts up to twice as long as other rebar cutters.
“Where there is concrete, there is rebar,” states Ed Pchola, Group Product Manager. “Now we offer a complete solution that saves time and money.”Designed to work in rotation mode, Bosch’s rebar cutter has a unique flute geometry that employs a steep spiral design that quickly removes debris. A relief hole is incorporated into the cutting surface to dissipate heat and facilitate slug removal. The body design and shank are tapered to reduce weight for smoother drilling and to reduce the amount of vibration that often leads to fatigue.Bosch manufactures its own carbide to exacting specifications and the result is higher quality carbide that delivers longer drilling life. Users simply drill with a carbide bit until making contact with rebar. They then use the rebar cutter to cut through the rebar until contacting concrete. Once rebar is cut, just switch back to the carbide bit to complete the hole.
Bits come in 12” lengths with drilling diameter from 3/8” to 1-1/2”. The line also includes 18” lengths for ½”, 5/8” and ¾” diameters, as well as 6” and 12” extensions.
