Which Drilling Machine Is Used to Drill Large Holes? When it comes to drilling large holes in metal, rock, or concrete, standard handheld drills are not powerful enough. Instead, specialized heavy-duty drilling machines are used. These machines are designed to deliver high torque and stability, allowing them to bore through tough materials with large diameters. Here’s a breakdown of the most common drilling machines.

1. Radial Drilling Machine
One of the most common machines for drilling large holes in metal is the radial drilling machine.
① Structure: It has a large arm that can rotate around a column, allowing the drill head to move both vertically and horizontally.
② Hole Size Range: It can drill holes up to 75 mm or more in diameter, depending on the model.
③ Applications: Commonly used in workshops and manufacturing plants for drilling heavy workpieces such as machine frames, shafts, and plates.
2. Core Drilling Machine
For concrete, masonry, or rock, the core drilling machine (also known as a core drill) is widely used.
① Function: It removes a cylindrical piece of material (the “core”) to create large, precise holes.
② Hole Size Range: Core drills can produce holes ranging from 25 mm to over 600 mm in diameter.
③ Applications: Ideal for making openings for pipes, wiring, and ventilation in construction and mining projects.
3. Jumbo Drilling Machine
In underground mining and tunneling, large-diameter holes are drilled using jumbo drilling machines.
① Structure: Equipped with multiple drill arms mounted on a mobile platform.
② Purpose: Used for drilling blast holes in rock during tunnel excavation.
③ Hole Size Range: Typically 32–127 mm in diameter, depending on the rock hardness and blasting requirements.
4. Boring Machine
For extremely large holes or precision enlargement of existing holes, boring machines are used.
① Function: Unlike drilling, boring enlarges a pre-drilled hole to achieve greater diameter and accuracy.
② Applications: Used in heavy engineering, shipbuilding, and turbine manufacturing.
Each of these machines is designed for high power, precision, and stability, making them essential tools in heavy-duty drilling operations.
