Wall Chasers
Wall chasers cut clean channels in brick, block and concrete for cables and pipe runs, saving time on first fix and keeping the chase neat.
If you're spending half the day chasing sockets, drops and small pipework by hand, get the right wall chaser machine and save your shoulders. A proper wall chasing tool cuts two clean lines at a set depth, especially when paired with Vacuums & Dust Extractors, so there's less breakout, less dust hanging in the room, and less making good after.
What Are Wall Chasers Used For?
- Chasing out solid walls for new socket drops and conduit runs lets sparks cut straight, consistent channels without hacking half the wall away with a hammer and bolster.
- Cutting neat routes for small pipework in blockwork or brick saves plumbers time on first fix, especially where the chase depth needs to stay controlled.
- Working through refurbs and rewires, a wall chaser with extraction keeps airborne dust down in occupied buildings, so you're not covering every room in brick dust.
- Opening long horizontal and vertical chases in concrete or dense masonry gives you a cleaner starting point before finishing the waste out with Breakers & Demolition Drills.
- Preparing walls for cable trunking, back box runs and service routes makes the final finish easier because the channel width stays more uniform from start to finish.
Choosing the Right Wall Chaser
Sorting the right wall chaser is simple: match the wall, the chase size, and how often you're doing it. Do not buy a light machine for dense concrete if you're on site with it every week.
1. Blade Size and Cut Depth
If you're mainly chasing for twin and earth in plastered brick, a shallower cutting wall chaser is usually enough. If you're burying conduit or small pipework, you need the extra depth and blade diameter or you'll be doing the second half of the job by hand.
2. Dust Extraction Compatibility
Do not overlook this. If the machine is being used indoors, buy a wall chaser with extraction and run it with proper Masks, Face Shields & Respirators. It keeps the cut line visible, cuts cleanup right down, and stops you choking the room out.
3. 110V or 230V
If you're on commercial sites or new build, a 110v wall chaser is often the safer and expected choice. If you're mostly doing domestic work with easy power access, 230V can be the simpler option without hauling a transformer around.
4. Single Pass Speed vs Follow Up Work
A twin blade wall chaser machine is the one for fast, repeatable channels because it cuts both sides in one go. Just remember you'll still need to knock out the middle, often with one of your SDS Drills if the material is stubborn.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Sparkies are the main users, because a wall chaser tool makes fast work of socket drops, horizontal runs and chasing cables in brick or block during first fix.
- Plumbers and heating engineers use them for shallow pipe routes where they need a straight, repeatable chase without blowing the face off the wall.
- Refurb teams and general builders reach for a wall chasing machine when old layouts are being stripped out and new services need to go into solid masonry quickly.
- Maintenance crews keep one handy for smaller remedial jobs, especially when adding feeds or moving points in occupied buildings where dust control matters.
The Basics: Understanding Wall Chasers
A wall chaser does one job properly: it cuts two parallel slots into masonry so you can remove the middle and form a clean channel. The important bit is not the motor alone, but how the blade setup, width adjustment and extraction affect the finished chase.
1. Twin Blade Cutting
Most wall chasers use two diamond blades to cut both sides of the channel at once. That gives you a straighter, more consistent chase than trying to freehand two lines with a grinder.
2. Width and Depth Settings
The machine lets you set how deep and how wide the chase needs to be. That matters on site because cable drops, conduit and small pipe runs all need different space, and overcutting just means more patching later.
3. Extraction Makes the Job Usable
With dust extraction connected, the blades stay visible and the room stays workable. Without it, chasing walls indoors becomes a filthy job fast, and you spend more time cleaning than cutting.
Wall Chaser Accessories That Save Time on Site
Get the supporting kit right and your wall chasing tool is faster, cleaner and far less hassle to use all day.
1. Diamond Blades
A worn blade slows the cut, overheats the machine and starts bouncing about on harder material. Keep spare Diamond Blades ready so you're not trying to finish dense block with a blade that's already had its life.
2. Dust Extractor
This is the big one. A proper extractor stops the room disappearing in dust, keeps the line visible and saves a long cleanup at the end of the day.
3. Respiratory PPE
Even with extraction, masonry dust is not something to guess with. Good respiratory protection is worth having for refurbs, overhead cuts and awkward rooms with poor airflow.
Choose the Right Wall Chaser for the Job
Use this quick guide to sort the right type before you start cutting into masonry.
| Your Job | Wall Chaser or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic socket drops and cable runs in brick | Compact electric wall chaser | Manageable weight, adjustable depth, extraction port, twin blade setup |
| Frequent rewires in occupied properties | Wall chaser with extraction | Strong dust control, clear sight of cut line, cleaner rooms, easier cleanup |
| Dense blockwork and concrete chasing | Higher power wall chasing machine | More motor power, deeper cut capacity, durable blades, solid guide rollers |
| Commercial or site work with temporary power | 110v wall chaser | Site compliant supply, transformer compatible, suitable for regular trade use |
| Small pipe routes and wider service channels | Adjustable width wall chaser tool | Spacer adjustment, deeper channel options, better control over making good |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying on price alone and ending up with a wall chaser that struggles in dense block or concrete usually means slow cutting, overheating and more finishing by hand. Match the motor and blade size to the wall you're actually cutting.
- Using a wall chaser without dust extraction indoors fills the room, blinds the cut line and turns a one hour job into half a day of cleanup. Run extraction from the start, not once the room has already disappeared.
- Setting the chase deeper than needed weakens the wall face and leaves more patching for later. Cut only what the cable, conduit or pipe route actually needs.
- Trying to force worn blades through hard masonry makes the machine work harder and the cut wander. Replace tired blades before they cost you time and a rough finish.
- Assuming the wall chaser removes all the material is a common one. It cuts the sides cleanly, but you still need to break out the middle before the run is ready.
Twin Blade Wall Chaser vs Grinder vs SDS Drill
Twin Blade Wall Chaser
This is the right choice for regular chasing walls. It cuts two clean, parallel lines at a set width and depth, gives a neater finish, and works far better with extraction than improvised methods.
Angle Grinder
A grinder will cut masonry, but it is slower to set out accurately for repeated channels and usually far messier. Fine for occasional rough work, not the best wall chaser alternative if you're doing first fix properly.
SDS Drill and Chisel
An SDS is useful for breaking out the middle after the cuts are made, but on its own it is not the tool for neat, controlled channels. You lose accuracy and spend longer making good afterwards.
Which One to Buy
If you only open the odd short run, a grinder and SDS might get you through. If you're rewiring, adding services or chasing several rooms, buy a proper wall chaser tool and save yourself the time and dust.
Maintenance and Care
Clear Dust After Every Job
Masonry dust gets everywhere. Empty and brush down the guard, vents and adjustment points after use so the machine does not clog up or run hot on the next chase.
Check Blade Wear and Damage
If the blades are glazed, chipped or badly worn, the cut slows down and the machine starts working harder than it should. Swap them before accuracy and speed fall off.
Inspect the Extraction Port
Blocked extraction is one of the quickest ways to turn a clean job into a filthy one. Make sure the hose connection and dust channel are clear before starting each run.
Store It Dry and Protected
Do not leave the wall chaser bouncing around loose in the van under bags of rubble. Keep it cased or stored securely so the guard, rollers and settings stay true.
Replace Worn Parts Before Big Jobs
If the guard is bent, the rollers are worn or the depth adjustment is stiff, sort it before you get on the wall. A tired machine costs more in bad cuts and patching than the part ever would.
Why Shop for Wall Chasers at ITS?
Whether you need a compact wall chaser for domestic rewires, a 110v wall chaser for site work, or a wall chaser with extraction for cleaner cutting indoors, we stock the full range. That includes the machines, blades and supporting kit, all in our own warehouse and ready for next day delivery.
Wall Chaser FAQs
Is a wall chaser worth it?
Yes, if you chase walls more than occasionally it pays for itself in time, dust control and a much neater result. You get straighter channels, less damage around the cut, and far less messing about than doing it with a grinder and chisel alone.
How deep can a wall chaser cut?
That depends on the machine and blade size, but trade models are built to give controlled depth for cable runs, conduit and some small pipework. Always check the stated maximum depth, because going too shallow wastes time and going too deep just means extra making good.
Do wall chasers need dust extraction?
For indoor work, yes, they really do. A wall chaser throws out a serious amount of fine masonry dust, and without extraction the room becomes a mess fast. A proper extractor keeps the cut visible, protects the user better and saves a big cleanup afterwards.
What's the difference between a single and twin blade wall chaser?
A twin blade wall chaser cuts both sides of the channel in one pass, which is quicker and more consistent for repeated chasing. A single blade setup is more limited and often means extra passes or more setup time to get the same finished chase.
Can a wall chaser cut brick and concrete?
Yes, with the right diamond blades and enough motor behind it, a wall chaser can cut brick, block and concrete. Just be realistic about the material. Dense concrete will slow any machine down, so blade condition and extraction matter even more.
Do I still need another tool after using a wall chaser?
Yes. The wall chaser cuts the two sides of the channel, but you still need to remove the waste in the middle. Most trades finish that part with an SDS drill or light breaker, depending on how hard the wall is.
