Stitch Drilling a New Lift Pit Opening in Hastings, East Sussex
Location: Hastings, East Sussex
Scope: Stitch Core Drilling & Concrete Breakout
Equipment: Hilti DD250, DD350 & TE3000
Core Diameter: 127mm
Concrete Depth: 600–700mm Reinforced Concrete
Final Opening: 1,800mm × 1,600mm
In a hurry? Call us now: 📞 020 3286 3428 / 01424 720259
Or visit us at diamonddrillinguk.com
The Project
When a building in Hastings, East Sussex required a new lift pit installation, the project team faced a challenge that called for precision, experience, and the right equipment. A large opening — measuring 1,800mm wide by 1,600mm tall — needed to be formed through reinforced concrete up to 700mm deep. The structure required clean, controlled removal with no uncontrolled cracking and no compromise to the surrounding concrete.
The client called in Diamond Drilling UK — and the approach was clear from the outset: stitch drill the perimeter, then break out the core with the Hilti TE3000.
What Is Stitch Drilling?
Stitch drilling is the technique of choice when an opening exceeds what a single core drill can cut in one pass. A continuous sequence of overlapping 127mm core holes is drilled around the full perimeter of the intended opening. Once the stitch line is complete, the concrete panel within is broken out and removed — leaving a clean, accurate aperture to the exact required size.
The stitch drilling stage is what defines the edges of the opening. By pre-cutting the perimeter with diamond cores, the breakout that follows is fully contained — the concrete cannot crack or spall beyond the drilled line, no matter how hard the breaker works. This is what separates professional stitch drilling from uncontrolled demolition.
When executed by an experienced team with the right machinery, stitch drilling delivers results that no other method can match:
No damage to the surrounding structure — the stitch line acts as a full containment boundary for all breakout work
Razor-clean edges — no spalling, cracking, or rough breakout beyond the drilled perimeter
Pinpoint accuracy — each core is positioned to maintain the exact perimeter profile
Virtually silent drilling stage — suitable for occupied buildings and noise-sensitive sites
Minimal dust — wet-core drilling systems suppress airborne particulate at source
Suitable for any size — openings of virtually any dimension can be achieved
The Hastings Job: How We Did It
The Challenge
The concrete through which the opening needed to be formed was reinforced throughout, with depths ranging between 600mm and 700mm. This was not a thin party wall or a lightweight block partition — this was serious, structural reinforced concrete, the kind that demands professional-grade equipment and operatives who know how to use it.
The opening dimensions of 1,800mm × 1,600mm were fixed by the lift manufacturer's specification. There was no tolerance for error.
Equipment: Hilti DD250, DD350 & TE3000
For a job of this nature, Diamond Drilling UK deployed three of Hilti's premier tools — covering both the precision drilling stage and the controlled breakout that followed:
Hilti DD350 — Hilti's most powerful rig-mounted core drill, purpose-built for large-diameter coring in hard and heavily reinforced concrete. Its torque output and stability made it the lead rig for the deeper, more demanding sections of the stitch line
Hilti DD250 — A versatile, high-performance mid-range rig drill, deployed alongside the DD350 to maintain pace and efficiency across the full perimeter
127mm diamond-tipped core bits — Selected to maximise material removal per core while maintaining the precision needed to follow the perimeter profile accurately
Hilti TE3000 — Hilti's heavyweight electric demolition breaker, brought in once the stitch line was complete to break out the concrete panel within the drilled perimeter. At up to 68 joules of impact energy, the TE3000 makes short work of even the most stubborn reinforced concrete — and because the stitch line was already fully drilled, every blow was contained within the opening boundary
Full water suppression — Both core drilling rigs operated with wet-core systems throughout, cooling the bits and controlling slurry at source
The Method
Our operatives began with a precise set-out of the full 1,800mm × 1,600mm perimeter on the concrete face. Working methodically around the marked line, we drilled a continuous sequence of 127mm cores using the DD350 and DD250, each one overlapping the last by a calculated margin. At depths of 600–700mm through reinforced concrete, each core demanded patience — but accuracy was never compromised for speed.
With the full stitch line complete, the Hilti TE3000 was brought in to break out the concrete panel section by section. Because the perimeter had already been fully defined by the diamond cores, the breaker worked cleanly within the boundary — there was no risk of uncontrolled cracking running into the surrounding slab.
The broken concrete was removed progressively, exposing the reinforcement within, which was then cut and cleared. The result was exactly what the lift installation team needed:
A clean, square 1,800mm × 1,600mm opening
Dead-straight drilled edges with no secondary dressing required
Zero damage to the surrounding structure
Ready for the lift pit installation to proceed immediately
Why You Must Use a Professional
Stitch drilling through 600–700mm of reinforced concrete — and breaking it out with a 68-joule demolition hammer — is not a job for hire-shop tools and guesswork. When the stakes involve structural concrete, hidden reinforcement, and an opening that a lift manufacturer's components must fit precisely, the margin for error is effectively zero. Here is why professional diamond drillers are essential:
Structural safety — cutting through the wrong zone in a reinforced concrete slab can sever load-bearing rebar or — in post-tensioned structures — trigger catastrophic tendon failure. Professionals assess the structure, obtain approved drawings, and work to a method statement before a single hole is drilled
Controlled breakout — without a pre-drilled stitch perimeter, a demolition breaker like the TE3000 will crack concrete wherever it pleases. The stitch line is what keeps the breakout contained. Without it, surrounding structural concrete is at serious risk
Hidden services — electrical conduits, water pipes, and drainage runs are routinely cast into concrete floors and walls. Professional drillers use GPR scanning and cable avoidance tools before committing to any cut
Dimensional accuracy — a lift pit opening must meet the manufacturer's exact specification. A few millimetres out of square or undersize means costly delays. Our team works to tolerances that DIY equipment simply cannot achieve
Equipment capability — the Hilti DD350 and TE3000 are professional tools operating under significant loads. Both require specific training and experience to set up and operate safely
Slurry management — deep wet-core drilling through reinforced concrete produces substantial slurry. Without professional containment, this contaminates drainage systems, damages finishes, and creates serious slip hazards. Diamond Drilling UK manages all slurry from first cut to final clean
Insurance and compliance — professional contractors operate under full public liability insurance, RAMS documentation, and site-specific method statements. This protects the client, the building, and everyone on site
About Diamond Drilling UK
Diamond Drilling UK is a specialist diamond drilling and cutting contractor serving clients across Hastings, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent, London, and the wider South East. From single domestic core holes to large-scale commercial stitch drilling and breakout operations like this Hastings lift pit project, our team delivers precision results every time.
We operate professional Hilti, Tyrolit, pentruder, and Husqvarna equipment, deploy fully trained and insured operatives, and support every project with transparent pricing and full RAMS documentation.
Our services include:
Diamond core drilling — any diameter, any depth, any substrate
Stitch drilling — large openings in reinforced concrete, brick, and masonry
Concrete breaking and controlled demolition
Diamond floor sawing and track sawing
Wire sawing for complex profiles and deep cuts
Wall chasing and service penetrations
Ring sawing and hand sawing
Get in Touch
If you have a project in Hastings, across East or West Sussex, or anywhere in the South East, contact Diamond Drilling UK today for a fast, no-obligation quote.
📞 Phone: 020 3286 3428 / 01424 720259
✉️ Email: info@diamonddrillinguk.com
🌐 Website: diamonddrillinguk.com
📍 Serving clients across the UK,
We respond quickly, price fairly, and get the job done right — first time.
Diamond Drilling UK — Specialist Diamond Drilling & Concrete Cutting Contractors. Serving Hastings, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent, surrey & London.
Share this post: