Wall Chasers
Wall chaser tools cut clean, straight channels for cable and pipe runs, without smashing walls to bits or filling the place with dust.
When you are doing first fix or a rewire, a proper wall chaser machine is the difference between neat, repeatable wall chasing and hours of noisy, messy hammer work. Pick a chasing tool with depth control and, ideally, a wall chaser with extraction so you are not sweeping up half the house afterwards.
What Are Wall Chasers Used For?
- Chasing out straight cable routes in plaster, brick, and block so your back boxes and runs sit flush without blowing the wall apart.
- Cutting twin parallel lines for pipe chasing in kitchens and bathrooms, then knocking out the web cleanly with a bolster for a tidy finish.
- Working on occupied refurbs where dust is the real problem, using a chasing tool with dust extraction to keep rooms livable and clean-up realistic.
- Running long horizontal and vertical chases on big first-fix days, where a wall chasing machine keeps depth and width consistent so you are not fighting the plasterer later.
- Using a 110v wall chaser on site power where 240v is not allowed, keeping you compliant without downing tools.
Choosing the Right Wall Chaser
Match the wall chaser tool to the material and the dust control you actually need, because chasing is easy until you are knee-deep in rubble and fines.
1. Material and power
If you are mostly in plaster and lightweight block, a standard electric wall chaser is plenty. If you are cutting hard brick or concrete, look for a concrete chaser with the torque to hold speed, otherwise it drags and burns discs.
2. Width and depth control
If you are running twin and earth and back box drops, you want easy, repeatable settings so every chase is the same and you are not guessing. If you are doing pipe chasing, make sure the wall chasing tool can open up wide enough without multiple passes.
3. Dust extraction
If you are indoors or in an occupied property, do not skip it. A wall chaser with extraction, paired with the right vacuum, keeps the cut visible and stops dust getting into every room, which is what kills your day on refurbs.
4. 110v vs 240v
If you are on commercial sites, a 110v wall chaser is usually the safe bet for site power and rules. If you are mainly domestic, 240v gives you more choice, but still pick the tool for chasing walls that has proper guards and stable handling.
Who Uses Wall Chasers on Site?
- Sparks and electrical contractors doing electrical wall chasing for socket drops and cable routes, because a cable chaser keeps lines straight and saves patching time.
- Plumbers and heating engineers chasing for pipe runs in block and brick, especially on refurbs where you need controlled depth to avoid going too far.
- General builders and fit-out teams who want a reliable wall chasing tool for repeatable channels before boarding, dot and dab, or final skim.
The Basics: Understanding Wall Chasers
A wall chaser machine is basically a twin-disc wall cutting machine that sets the width and depth for you, so you cut two clean lines and remove the middle without cracking the lot.
1. Two cuts, then clear the web
Wall chasers cut two parallel grooves to the depth you set. You then knock out the strip between them with a bolster or chisel, which is faster and far neater than trying to "dig" a chase with a breaker.
2. Depth and width settings are what make it tidy
The best tool for chasing walls is the one that holds a consistent channel, because it keeps cables and pipes sitting right and makes making-good quicker. If the tool wanders or the depth varies, you pay for it in patching and finishing.
3. Extraction is about visibility as much as clean-up
A chasing tool with dust extraction does not just keep the room cleaner, it stops the cut clogging up so you can actually see your line. That is how you keep chases straight when you are doing long runs all day.
Wall Chaser Accessories That Save Time on the Cut
The right add-ons keep your wall chasing tools cutting clean and stop you losing time to blocked dust ports and worn discs.
1. Diamond wall chaser discs
Fresh discs are the difference between a smooth chase and a tool that chatters and drags, especially in hard brick and concrete. Keep a spare set in the van so you are not trying to finish a room on glazed, slow-cutting diamonds.
2. Dust extractor and hose adaptors
If you are buying a wall chaser with extraction, make sure you can connect it properly to your vacuum. A decent adaptor and a hose that does not kink stops the port clogging and keeps suction where it matters, at the cut.
3. Replacement brushes and service parts
If your electric wall chaser is brushed, spare brushes are a cheap save when you are mid-job and the motor starts cutting out. Swap them before they are fully gone and you avoid downtime and burnt commutators.
Shop Wall Chasers at ITS.co.uk
Whether you need a compact cable chaser for quick drops or a bigger wall chasing machine for long first-fix runs, you can sort the right wall chaser here. We stock the full range of wall chasers, discs, and essentials in our own warehouse, ready for next day delivery to keep your job moving.
Wall Chaser FAQs
Is a wall chaser worth it?
Yes, if you are doing more than the odd chase. A wall chaser machine gives you straight, repeatable channels at a set depth, which means less making-good and fewer cracked edges than hammering out with an SDS. Add extraction and it also saves hours of clean-up on refurbs.
Can a wall chaser cut through rebar?
Not reliably, and you should not plan on it. If you hit rebar in reinforced concrete, stop and reassess the route, because forcing a wall cutting machine through steel can wreck discs and is a safety risk. If you suspect reinforced areas, scan first and avoid chasing there where possible.
Do I really need a wall chaser with extraction?
For indoor work, yes if you want to keep control of the job. A wall chaser with extraction keeps the cut visible and stops fine dust coating every surface, but it only works properly when it is connected to a suitable extractor and the shroud is fitted and intact.
Should I buy 110v wall chasers or 240v?
If you are mainly on site power and commercial jobs, go 110v wall chaser so you are not caught out by rules on 240v. If you are mostly domestic, 240v is fine, but still prioritise a solid guard, stable handles, and easy depth adjustment over chasing a bigger number on the box.
What is the cleanest way to chase out a wall?
Mark your lines, set the depth, run the wall chaser tool steadily without forcing it, then knock out the centre strip cleanly with a bolster. The cleanest results come from sharp discs, a steady feed rate, and proper dust extraction so the tool is not grinding in its own waste.
