Pneumatic Sinker Drills
A sinker drill is the handheld rock drill you point down — collaring and sinking anchor-bolt holes, foundation pins, dowel holes, and small blast holes with no leg, mast, or rig. The BTE Mid-Western S83 is the 60 lb class workhorse, built in the United States to the original Gardner Denver S83 design around a 3 in. bore and 2-1/2 in. stroke, with a 7/8 x 4-1/4 or 1 x 4-1/4 chuck and dry or wet operation. The 52.9 lb Atlas Copco RH 658 L drills 1.14 to 2 in. holes at 2,040 BPM on built-in air flushing. Hydraulic Hycon HRD28 and Hycon HRD30 drills cover sites where a large compressor cannot go. Compare the wider rock drill line or shop BTE Mid-Western sinker drills.
Showing the single result
Showing the single result
Air or Hydraulic
Pneumatic sinkers are the trade standard: simple, rebuildable, and cheap per hole once a compressor is on site. The RH 658 L draws about 123 CFM, so the compressor is the real cost of entry. Hydraulic drills change that trade — the HRD30 carries an integrated compressor for its own air flushing, and the HRD28 flushes off an external supply.
Sinker Drill Comparison
Pick by hole size, depth, and what power you can get to the face. Figures below come from each model’s product page.
| Model | Power | Hole range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTE Mid-Western S83 Sinker | Pneumatic | 5/8 to 3 in. and larger | 60 lb class; 3 in. bore, 2-1/2 in. stroke; wet or dry |
| RH 658 L | Pneumatic | 29–40 mm (1.14–2 in.) | 52.9 lb; 2,040 BPM; about 123 CFM |
| HRD28 | Hydraulic | 25–50 mm (about 1–2 in.) | To 6 m deep; external-compressor air flush; underwater rated |
| HRD30 | Hydraulic | Not published | Granite and concrete to 2.4 m deep; integrated compressor supplies its own air flush |
All four are on this page — open a product page for chuck options and full parameter tables.
Chuck, Steel, Wet or Dry
The chuck decides what steel fits, so order it with the drill: the S83 takes 7/8 x 4-1/4 or 1 x 4-1/4 shank steel, and the Hycon drills run standard integral steel. Order the S83 wet if you need water flush for silica dust; the RH 658 L and both Hycon drills flush with air down the steel. Feed them with carbide rock drill bits and shanked rods, and run rock drill oil in the line. Free UPS Ground shipping on the S83, the RH 658 L, and the HRD28.
Common Questions
What is a sinker drill? A handheld pneumatic or hydraulic rock drill designed for downward holes — the operator supports it and lets weight plus percussion do the work. It is the simplest way to put anchor, dowel, and shallow blast holes in rock and concrete without a rig.
Is the RH 658 L a sinker drill? It is Atlas Copco’s handheld surface rock drill, used the same way — 52.9 lb, 22.24 in. long, 2,040 BPM, with air flow down the steel to clear chippings.
What compressor does a handheld pneumatic rock drill need? Size it to the drill’s listed consumption at working pressure — the RH 658 L alone calls for roughly 123 CFM. See air compressors, or skip the compressor entirely with the hydraulic Hycon drills.
How is a sinker different from a jackleg? A sinker is hand-held for down holes. A jackleg drill adds a powered feed leg to push into a face or the back, and the stand-mounted Demon drill automates feed for production work.