Star drill

Vertical caving terminology and methods > Rigging methods and equipment

Star drill, star drilling chisel, twist drill, Rawlplug chisel, Rawlplug tool, core drill

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A Rawlbolt star drill, and a modern equivalent. Cavers would normally prefer the shorter version.

A handheld tool shaped like a chisel, with cutting teeth on the end. Star drills will have a cutting tip with a cross shape. Some designs also have twisted flutes like a standard drill bit. Core drills have cutting teeth in a circle, with a hollow centre, so that the dust can fall through the hole. A self-drilling spit is an example of a core drill, and some types of expansion bolt also have core drilling teeth built into them. However the cutting end is designed, the star drill or core drill is hit with a hammer, then rotated slightly, and hit again, repeatedly, eventually creating a hole. Used when initially setting up the anchors on a pitch, which can then be used for all future rigging. Generally used very rarely, only when an electric drill is not possible. These have almost disappeared from industrial use, and many designs that cavers once used are now sold as vintage tools. Star drills must be connected to a gear loop via a tether, to avoid dropping them.


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