How to Choose Masonry Drill Bits for your Project

Choosing the right tool for the right job is rarely as easy as it seems. That’s exactly the case with choosing the right drill, as it’s often a very complicated procedure that requires you to consider several points. You might be a seasoned professional working in the field, or you might be a home improver that’s handy with a tool, and you still might not realise how intricate the process can be. I’ve already talked about other power tools before, such as the nail gun, and now it’s time to talk about the humble drill.

Know Which Type of Job You’re Doing

The very first thing you should know before starting to use a masonry drill is what type of project you will be doing. The biggest choice comes down to which type of bit you’ll be using because not all of them are the same and there are quite a few differences. That depends on if you’ll be drilling small holes into light concrete or artificial stones, which is only the basic usage of masonry drills. In any case, avoid using low-quality bits, regardless of the concrete quality because those bits will overheat quickly and ruin. If you’re going to drill into hard concrete or natural stones, then you definitely want harder bits, such as tungsten bits or durum tips. They’re much more efficient at drilling, as they’re sturdier, stronger, and can penetrate hard surfaces with ease.

Compatibility

Not all masonry drills are built equal. That means not all of them are compatible with all types of bits, which can be an issue if you’re not prepared. If you use bits that are compatible with your drill, then you ensure that the drill will never be damaged by discordant bits and that your job is going to be much smoother in general. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to buy bits of the same brand as your drill. In the past decade or so, most manufacturers have started making bits that are compatible with pretty much all drills on the market, with some rare exceptions. In any case, you should still make sure that the drill and the bits are compatible.

Drill Bit Material

This is an extremely important factor to consider from the moment you set your mind on a project. Masonry drill bit materials are diverse and varied and can make your project significantly easier or way harder. Drill bits made out of low carbon steel are typically of low quality and cheap but are ideal for drilling soft surfaces. They don’t last long and will immediately overheat on hard surfaces, though. Some bits are made out of high-speed steel, which are more expensive than low carbon steel ones, but don’t overheat easily, last longer, and are good for drilling hard surfaces. If you go with the high-speed carbon ones, make sure its coated with either carbide, diamond power, or titanium carbon nitride. This coating reduces corrosion and wear, and increases the bits’ sturdiness.

Size of Drill Bits

Typically, masonry drill bits range from 3mm to 16mm. These are standard lengths, but there are except to this because you can even find bits are that 300-400mm. The size and length of the drill directly correlate to the size of the hole you want to make because there isn’t a one size fits all drill that can be used in all situations. Usually, you want to make sure that the bit is exactly the size of the hole because that way you minimise the chance of a fault. However, it’s okay if you use a bit that’s just slightly larger than the hole you want to drill. There is a tiny bit of leeway, but don’t go overboard.

Drill Bit Purpose

If you want to do a masonry project, then you need to ensure that the drill bit is made for masonry projects. Most of the drill bits tend to look very similar, so it’s possible to mistake a bit that’s intended for something else. There are bits that are designed to drill glass wood, and metals, besides masonry drills, of course. This is why you want to make sure you’ve picked ones for masonry, otherwise, you won’t be able to use your masonry drill. There are two types of masonry drill bits, and they are tungsten carbide and diamond hole saw drill bits. These bits are great for penetrating stones and concrete, as well as any surface found in construction work. You can even drill wood, though the holes will definitely be rough.

Avoid Cheap Bits

Bits, on their own, are not expensive. However, if you’re going to do a masonry project, you’re definitely going to need more of them. Their cost can easily add up if you’re not careful, but you should still avoid getting cheap bits. Cheap bits tend to overheat and shatter very easily. That’s because they’re typically made out of low-quality materials, which means even the quality of the hole might suffer. On top of that, since they get ruined more easily, you’ll still end up paying extra in the long run because the high-quality drill bits tend to last significantly longer.

Picking the right bit for the job can make a lot of difference in any project that includes a drill, and that’s exactly the case with masonry. It’s smart to take into account all of the details in the project because you want to make sure you complete it as smoothly and as efficiently as possible.

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