Wall Chaser Hire Perth is what most people search for once they realise a standard drill or grinder simply can’t cleanly conceal a cable or pipe into a solid wall. Short answer: a wall chaser is a power tool with twin diamond blades that cuts two parallel grooves into a wall, allowing you to remove the material between them to create a clean, straight channel — typically for running electrical cable or plumbing pipe. If you’re installing new wiring or pipework into an existing brick, concrete, or masonry wall without surface-mounting it, a wall chaser is the tool for the job.
This guide covers exactly what a wall chaser is used for, when you actually need one, how to choose the right settings, and what to check before you hire.
What Is a Wall Chaser Used For?
A wall chaser is used to cut precise, parallel channels into brick, concrete, or masonry walls so that electrical cable, data cabling, or small-diameter plumbing pipe can sit flush within the wall before being covered with render or plaster. Unlike a standard angle grinder, which cuts a single groove, a wall chaser’s twin-blade design cuts two lines simultaneously at a set depth and width, leaving a clean channel once the middle section is chiselled or hammered out.
Most wall chasers also come fitted with an adjustable depth guide and a dust extraction port, allowing you to connect a vacuum for cleaner, safer cutting — especially important for indoor work.
What’s Inside a Wall Chaser
Most wall chasers consist of a motor housing, twin diamond blades mounted a fixed or adjustable distance apart, a depth adjustment guide, side handles for control, and a dust shroud that connects to an extraction vacuum. The distance between the blades typically ranges from around 10mm to 40mm, allowing the tool to accommodate different cable and pipe diameters.
Common Wall Chaser Uses
- Running new electrical circuits through an existing brick or concrete wall
- Installing data or network cabling that needs to be concealed
- Adding plumbing pipework that must sit flush within the wall
- Renovating a room where cables need to be hidden rather than surface-mounted
- Retrofitting power points or switches into a solid wall
- Running conduit for security or alarm system wiring
Also Check: Core Drilling in Perth: Equipment Guide & DIY Tips
When Do You Need Wall Chaser Hire Perth?
You need wall chaser hire if your project involves concealing cable or pipe into brick, concrete, or masonry. You likely don’t need one if you’re working with plasterboard or stud walls — a simple cable saw or basic cutting tool is usually enough — or if surface-mounted conduit is an acceptable finish for your project.
Signs You Need a Wall Chaser Rather Than a Grinder
If your job requires a consistent, even channel width across a long run of wall, needs to accommodate a specific pipe or cable diameter precisely, or involves multiple parallel runs across a room, a wall chaser will save significant time and produce a cleaner result than attempting the same job with a grinder.
Wall Chaser vs Angle Grinder: What’s the Difference?
| Factor | Wall Chaser | Angle Grinder |
|---|---|---|
| Blades | Twin parallel blades | Single blade |
| Result | Clean, even channel | Single groove, needs manual widening |
| Best for | Cable/pipe chasing | General cutting, edging |
| Dust control | Usually has extraction port | Minimal dust control |
| Depth control | Adjustable guide built in | Manual, less precise |
How to Choose the Right Wall Chaser Settings
Blade Spacing
Confirm the diameter of the cable, conduit, or pipe you’re installing, and choose a blade spacing that comfortably accommodates it without cutting an unnecessarily wide channel, which weakens the surrounding wall more than needed.
Cutting Depth
Set the depth guide to match your cable or pipe diameter plus a small margin for the covering material (render or plaster). Cutting too shallow risks the cable sitting proud of the wall surface; cutting too deep wastes time and weakens the wall unnecessarily.
Dust Extraction Setup
For indoor jobs, always connect a suitable dust extraction vacuum to the tool’s shroud. This keeps the work area cleaner, protects your respiratory health, and often makes the cut itself easier to see and control.
Wet or Dry Chasing?
Most wall chasers used for indoor renovation work run dry with a dust extraction attachment, since managing water indoors is impractical. If you’re working outdoors or on a larger job, wet chasing is worth asking about when you book, as it reduces airborne dust significantly and can extend blade life.
Also Check: Wet Cutting vs Dry Cutting Concrete
What You’ll Need Before Booking Wall Chaser Hire Perth
Have this ready when you call: the wall material (brick, concrete block, or masonry), the depth and width of channel required for your cable or pipe, whether the job is indoors or outdoors, and whether you’ll need dust extraction fitted. It’s also worth confirming the total length of wall you’ll be chasing, since this affects the right hire duration.
Safety Considerations
Before chasing any wall, check for existing electrical wiring or plumbing behind the surface — a cable detector is worth using if you’re unsure what’s already run through the wall. Wear a properly fitted dust mask or respirator, as concrete and masonry dust contains crystalline silica, and use eye and ear protection throughout. If you’re working near known live wiring, always isolate power at the switchboard before cutting.
Keep a firm, steady grip on the tool throughout the cut, and avoid forcing the pace — let the blades do the work rather than pushing hard, which can cause the tool to bind or wander off line.
For further guidance on managing construction dust safely, Safe Work Australia publishes detailed information on crystalline silica exposure and control measures.
How Long Does Wall Chasing Take?
Most wall chasing jobs for a single room’s worth of cabling can be completed within a few hours, making daily hire the most practical option for smaller renovations. Larger jobs spanning multiple rooms or a full rewire may benefit from a longer hire period.
Also Check: Daily vs Weekly Hire
Common Mistakes When Hiring a Wall Chaser
First-time hirers commonly underestimate how much dust indoor chasing produces without extraction fitted, skip checking for hidden services before cutting, choose blade spacing too narrow for their actual cable diameter, and don’t account for the finishing work (rendering or plastering) needed once the cable or pipe is installed. Talking through your project with the team before booking helps avoid all of these.
Wall Chaser Hire vs Buying
Given how specific this tool’s use case is, buying one rarely makes sense unless you’re a tradesperson using it regularly. For most homeowners and even many renovators, a wall chaser gets used for a single project and then sits unused — hiring gives you access to the right equipment exactly when you need it, without the storage or maintenance burden. You can browse our full range of cutting equipment to see what else is available alongside a wall chaser for your job.
Also Check: Hiring Tools vs Calling a Tradie
Do You Need an Electrician Too?
Hiring a wall chaser lets you cut the channel yourself, but connecting or certifying any electrical work should be done by a licensed electrician in line with Australian wiring standards. Many DIYers chase the wall themselves to save time and cost, then bring in an electrician for the final connection — this is a common and practical approach for renovation projects.
What to Expect on Hire Day
When you collect your wall chaser, our team confirms the blade spacing suits your cable or pipe diameter, runs through a quick safety walkthrough covering depth settings and dust extraction setup, and checks the equipment is in good working order before it leaves.
Why Choose Quinns Rocks Tool Hire for Wall Chaser Hire Perth
Quinns Rocks Tool Hire has supported Perth’s northern suburbs with reliable, well-maintained equipment for over 19 years. Every wall chaser is inspected and serviced before and after each hire, and our team can talk you through blade depth settings and dust extraction setup so you’re confident using the tool correctly from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wall chaser used for?
A wall chaser is used to cut clean, parallel channels into brick, concrete, or masonry walls so that cable or pipe can be concealed flush within the wall.
Can I use a wall chaser on plasterboard?
It’s not necessary — a basic utility knife or cable saw is sufficient for plasterboard. Wall chasers are built specifically for brick, block, and concrete.
How deep can a wall chaser cut?
Depth is adjustable depending on the model, typically enough for standard electrical conduit or small plumbing pipe. Confirm your exact cable or pipe diameter with our team when booking.
Do I need dust extraction for indoor chasing?
Yes, it’s strongly recommended for indoor work — chasing produces significant fine dust, and extraction keeps the work area cleaner and safer to breathe in.
Is a wall chaser difficult to use for a first-timer?
It’s straightforward with a short safety walkthrough, though steady, controlled movement along the wall is important for a clean result. Our team demonstrates correct technique at handover.
Can a wall chaser cut curves or only straight lines?
Wall chasers are designed for straight-line cuts. Curved or angled runs typically need to be broken into a series of straight sections.
Final Thoughts
Wall Chaser Hire Perth solves a specific problem — getting cable or pipe cleanly concealed into a masonry wall — that no other standard tool handles as precisely. If your renovation involves hidden wiring or plumbing through brick or concrete, it’s the right equipment to book rather than improvising with a grinder.
Ready to hire? Get in touch through our contact page and our team will help you choose the right wall chaser for your job.
