Professional Guide

Best Wall Chaser for Electrical Rewiring: 2025 Expert Review

Oli

Owner, OR Electrics

Published 17 December 2025

If you have ever tried to recess cabling into the solid red brick walls of a Leeds back-to-back terrace using just a hammer and bolster, you will know it is miserable work. It is slow, incredibly dusty, and physically draining. For a full house rewire, a quality wall chaser is not just a luxury; it is a necessity.

A good wall chaser pairs with a dust extractor to keep the client's home habitable and protects your lungs from silica dust. Whether you are cutting channels for socket drops or running feeds for a new consumer unit, the right tool ensures the chases are neat, consistent, and compliant with installation zones.

In this review, I am looking at three very different options available in 2025: a high-end industry standard from Makita, a heavy-duty problem solver with multiple blades, and a budget entry that... well, we will get to that one.

Live in Leeds?

Dreading the mess of a rewire?

We treat your home with respect using top-tier dust extraction.

Specs vs. The Real World

The Spec: "Dust-Free Operation"

The Theory

"Manufacturers claim 'dust-free' cutting when connected to a vacuum."

The Reality

In practice, especially with old limestone plaster or soot-filled bricks in Leeds, some dust always escapes. You still need to sheet up furniture and wear a proper FFP3 mask.

The Spec: "Cutting Width/Depth"

The Theory

"Tools claim to cut wide channels in a single pass."

The Reality

Standard twin-blade chasers leave a central strip of masonry that you must chisel out afterwards. Only multi-blade models clear the entire channel, but they are much heavier to hold.

My Top 3 Recommendations

Three options to cover different needs and budgets

Storm Chasers 2026 Wall Calendar: The Year's Best Weather Photos

Budget Pick

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Let us be completely honest here. At £11.35, this 'Storm Chaser' is not going to cut a channel in your brickwork. It appears to be a calendar included here as the budget option. Whilst it won't help you install cables, it is excellent for scheduling your rewire dates or admiring extreme weather whilst you have a brew.

Price£11.35 (at the time of writing)

BrandAndrews McMeel Publishing

FunctionDate tracking (Not a power tool)

The Good

Extremely affordable compared to power tools
No dust or noise generation
High-quality photography

The Bad

Will not cut brick, plaster, or concrete
Zero rotational speed
Not suitable for electrical installation work

Installer Tip:

Use this to circle the dates for your EICR renewal or to count down the days until your renovation is finished.

Priced at £11.35 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

Makita SG1251J/2 240V 125mm Wall Chaser Supplied in A Makpac Case

Quality Pick

Makita

This is the tool you will find in the van of most professional electricians in Leeds. Makita's SJS (Super Joint System) prevents motor burnout when the blade inevitably snags on a hard Victorian brick. It is smooth, reliable, and the soft start feature means it won't jump out of your hands when you pull the trigger.

Price£366.94 (at the time of writing)

BrandMakita

Cut Depth0 - 30mm adjustable

SafetyElectronic current limiter & SJS system

The Good

Professional build quality with Makpac case
Excellent ergonomics for long days of chasing
Constant speed control ensures clean cuts under load

The Bad

Significant investment for a single tool
Still requires chiselling out the central masonry strip

Installer Tip:

When chasing usually hard brick in areas like Harehills, let the tool do the work. Don't force it. The SJS system is brilliant, but you will get a cleaner cut and longer blade life if you maintain a steady, moderate pace.

Priced at £366.94 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

Wall Chaser with Dust Extractor 4000W 5 Blades Electric Wall Chaser with Adjustable Cutting Depth & Width for Brick Marble and Floors

Problem-solving Pick

PansyWind

The main 'problem' this tool solves is the need to use a hammer and chisel after cutting. By utilising 5 blades, it effectively grinds away the entire channel in one go. With a massive 4000W motor, it rips through masonry, but be warned: it is heavy (7.5kg) and requires significant physical strength to control accurately.

Price£94.99 (at the time of writing)

BrandPansyWind

Power4000W / 6000 RPM

Blades5 blades for full channel clearance

The Good

Clears the full channel width – no chiselling needed
Incredible power for the price point
Includes water pump for wet cutting (minimises dust)

The Bad

Very heavy (7.5kg) – tiring for overhead work
4000W motor may trip standard domestic breakers if not careful
Build quality is not on par with premium trade brands

Installer Tip:

Connect this to a decent M-Class dust extractor rather than relying on the water pump if working indoors. The wet slurry can be harder to clean off wallpaper than dry dust. Also, check the property's main fuse can handle the start-up load!

Priced at £94.99 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a wall chaser for a rewire?

Technically, no. You can use an SDS drill or a club hammer and bolster. However, in Leeds' solid brick homes, doing it manually will take four times as long and leave a jagged mess. A wall chaser ensures neat, vertical lines that are easier to plaster over.

How deep should I chase for electrical cables?

According to regulations, cables need to be buried deep enough to be covered by plaster. Generally, a depth of 20-25mm is standard for capping or oval conduit. If you are burying metal back boxes for sockets, you'll need to go deeper (usually 25mm or 35mm).

Can I use a wall chaser on load-bearing walls?

Yes, but with caution. Vertical chases are generally fine, but horizontal chases in solid walls should be limited in length and depth (typically no more than 1/6th of the wall thickness) to avoid compromising structural integrity. Always check building regs.

Why does my breaker trip when I use a wall chaser?

Large motors (like the 4000W model) have a high 'inrush current' when they start. This can trip sensitive B-curve circuit breakers. Investing in a chaser with a 'soft start' feature, like the Makita, helps prevent this nuisance tripping.

Is full house rewiring messy?

There is no sugar-coating it: yes, it creates dust. However, at OR Electrics, we use professional wall chasers coupled with industrial dust extractors to capture the majority of the dust at the source, and we pride ourselves on a thorough cleanup.

What is the best way to handle the dust?

Source extraction is key. Connect your chaser to a vacuum with an auto-start socket. For the room itself, seal the doors with plastic sheeting and tape to stop dust migrating to the rest of the house. Open windows to vent airborne particles.

Need Professional Full House Rewiring?

Our team at OR Electrics specialises in Full House Rewiring across Leeds.

Get a free quote for professional installation and peace of mind.

View Our Full House Rewiring Service