Wall chaser: what is it, what is it for and how to use it for beginners

For construction and repair purposes, it is necessary to make grooves and furrows in various surfaces. For this, a wall chaser is used, because such a device is much more effective than an ordinary angle grinder. The principle of operation, types and criteria for choosing a tool are described in this material.

Description and principle of operation

We can say that the operating principle of the tool is similar to a grinder: both are equipped with a cutting disc. But a wall chaser is a device that makes not one, but 2 slots, since it is based on paired discs. Depending on the distance between them, you can adjust the width of the furrow or groove (they are called grooves). Holes are made in different surfaces - on the wall, ceiling or floor.

Another feature that determines how a wall chaser works is related to the presence of a working platform. It is convenient to lean on a wall, floor or other surface. It is movable, so the depth of the groove can be easily adjusted. The tool is equipped with a pipe through which dust is removed directly during operation.

The operating principle is as follows. The tool is guided along the surface along the pre-set markings. The discs cut 2 furrows that run strictly parallel to each other. Then, using a hammer drill, the remaining material is removed between them. As a result, a groove is formed.The same work can be done with a grinder, but it will take 2 times more time.

Wall chasers for wood and other surfaces are used in various fields:

• electric installation work;
• plumbing work.

Most often it is used for laying a groove with subsequent installation of a pipeline. Moreover, the device is necessary for construction work both in apartments and in non-residential premises.

Types of tools

We can say about a wall chaser that it is a tool for forming grooves running parallel to each other for the subsequent laying of communications in them. In construction practice, different types of this device are used - the main ones are described in the following sections.

Manual

These are the simplest and most affordable mechanisms. They are used for gating surfaces made of gas concrete, foam concrete, wood concrete and other not too dense materials. Sometimes such devices are called manual furrow machines.

Electrical

You can find in the description of an electric wall chaser that this is a device powered by an electric motor. It is used to form grooves on hard surfaces, such as concrete, stone, brick. Such devices are noticeably more expensive; they are mainly used for professional purposes.

How to use and work with a wall chaser is quite simple. If necessary, you can increase or decrease the speed. Then the pressure area (force applied) will be distributed evenly over the surface, and the grooves will be even. Electric models have 2 holders; they help make high-precision grooves.

Depending on what you need an electric wall chaser for, there are 2 devices:

1. Direct – in this case, the disks are located perpendicular to the working surface.
2. Corner – the disks are located at a certain (adjustable angle). Such instruments are much less common.

How to choose a good device

There are several ways to choose the optimal quality wall chaser. First of all, you need to consider in what area it will be used:

1. If only for home use, tools weighing up to 5 kg are suitable.
2. If for building your own house - weight up to 10 kg.
3. For professional construction – up to 15 kg.

Obviously, a manual furrow maker is suitable for domestic use. But it is not suitable for finishing a private house, or even more so an apartment building. There are other parameters, for example, power:

• for home renovations – within 1500 W;
• for building your own home - maximum 2500 W;
• in the professional field - the power must be at least 3500 W.

Different devices have 1, 2 or several disks. So, tools with 1 disk are used at home, for building a house - with 2 disks. And when building large houses - from 4-5.

Also, when purchasing, additional factors are taken into account:

1. If the characteristics of 2 models are approximately the same, then you need to choose a device with less weight.
2. The body must be strong enough to bear a large load.
3. It is better to purchase a device with additional functions, for example, the ability to adjust the depth of the groove. It is useful to have a slip clutch, an option that allows regulate number of revolutions.

Wall chaser, device which is described in the article - a more effective device compared to an angle grinder. It is used for both repair and construction purposes. When choosing, you need to pay special attention to power, brand, manufacturer’s warranty and the presence of additional functions.