February 17, 2025
With dry diamond core drilling becoming increasingly popular, it is often asked how to select the right AGP model for your needs. The short answer is that it entirely depends on the type of drilling you need to perform. Each model has specific design characteristics to optimize the tool for its primary application. Choose the tool that is strongest for your desired purpose.
For general dry drilling of brick and similar abrasive materials, choose the DM52D. This type of operation is usually done hand-held and the DM52D is light and easy to handle. Its soft percussion and through-the-spindle dust collection with a vacuum cleaner make the drilling process quick and convenient. Its two gear ratios are optimized for the needs of general dry drilling bits in the specified diameter range.
For electricians installing sockets in brick walls, choose the DME51D or DME52D. These models, together with an external dust extractor head for banana slot bits, are optimized for this application and the soft percussion enhances the process. The gear ratio of DME51D is perfect for commonly used socket diameters up to 102mm. If more versatility is required, choose the DME52D with its additional lower gear for larger diameters up to 182mm.
For operators who primarily need to wet drill reinforced concrete most of the time and may occasionally need to dry drill brick, the best choice will be the DMC6 series or the DMC160. For these motors, dry drilling is a secondary function, but it can be a convenient extra capability. They can do the job, but won’t work as efficiently as a DM52D dry in brick.
Hollow-core slabs, made of prestressed reinforced concrete, are common for floors and present a unique challenge. Drilling them wet is possible, but the slurry flows through the hollow cores in the slab and makes a huge mess. Drilling them dry would be preferable, yet the material is much too hard and reinforced for a general dry coring motor like the DM52D. Its percussion mechanism is not designed for that, and its gear ratios are not suitable. Compared to dry drilling brick, dry drilling reinforced concrete requires more power and rotational speeds much slower. For this application a special coring motor designed for dry drilling of reinforced concrete such as DM62, DD62, or DD160 is required.
For heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) installers, the DD160 is the perfect choice. It’s ideal for drilling hollow-core slabs. In particular, its 2nd gear is optimized for the very common sizes of 76mm and 82mm used in air conditioning installation.
For intensive dry drilling of reinforced concrete, choose the DM62 or DD62. These tools are designed for heavy use, with robust gearbox and metal motor housing for optimal cooling and durability. They are suitable for a wide range of dry drilling in reinforced concrete up to 162mm and are great for inverted drilling, making the process much more convenient than wet drilling. (The only difference between these 2 models is the design of the main handle: the pistol handle of the DM62 gives better leverage for hand-held drilling, while the D-handle of the DD62 is less likely to get in the way when used on a drill stand). Of course, they can also dry drill in brick, but are not ideal for that, with too much torque and speeds that are too slow, which tends to prematurely wear out the bits.
For dry drilling reinforced concrete in very large diameters, choose the DDC9 or DDC12. These hybrid high-powered rig-mounted motors are for drilling reinforced concrete either wet or dry. Their robust percussion mechanism is designed to withstand intensive use in large sizes.
Engineering design is always a compromise and there is not any one tool that can work optimally in every scenario. Start by asking what you primarily need the tool to do and then choose based on that.