What kind of Drill Bits do I Need for Brick or Concrete?

13 May.,2024

 

What kind of Drill Bits do I Need for Brick or Concrete?

"" With the right drill bit, you can drill through concrete or metal.

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A drill bit may appear to be a simple hunk of metal; the average person probably doesn't put much thought into its design. However, there are actually several types of distinct drill bits that vary based on the type of material you need to drill into and how big of a hole you want to make. Wood is the most commonly drilled material, but there are also bits made to punch through metal, glass, ceramic tiles and concrete. They all come in standard sizes based on bit length and diameter, usually measured in metric units.

The most common type of drill bit is known as the twist bit, which is great for tapping into soft wood and metal. In a pinch, it can be used on brick or concrete, but a specialized bit will always give faster results and be safer for big home improvement jobs.

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Drill bits made to drill through concrete are called masonry bits. These are typically thicker and sturdier than carpentry bits in order to bore through thick concrete, brick or stone without warping and snapping. They're best paired with a specialized hammer drill, which moves the bit in an in-and-out hammering motion as well as the typical rotation. This allows you to punch through stonework more quickly and efficiently than a typical electric drill allows.

"" Among the drill bits pictured are the twist bit (top left) and the masonry bit (second from right).

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Drill bits with a tungsten carbide tip are the strongest; when it comes to solid concrete, the sharper the better. Masonry bits cut holes through concrete in two steps. The tip of the drill bit is larger in diameter than the shaft below so that when the shaft reaches the hole, it fits right in. Drilling at a lower speed is more efficient for drilling through concrete, and it prevents the bit from overheating. Masonry bits with a carbide or diamond tip specifically intended for hammer drills are more efficient and penetrate hard surfaces better and faster.

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Any type of drill can be used with standard drill bits for masonry work, but regular drills may not be the best choice for particularly tough jobs. Bits made to punch through tile are very similar to masonry bits, but they're even sharper in order to cut through the brittle materials without chipping them.

Coring drill bits are also useful for making large holes in concrete walls. These are much bigger than typical bits and come with diamond-tipped teeth blades to be as tough and sharp as possible. These need to be paired with a heavy-duty hammer drill or impact gun to really put the power into your bore. For deep core drilling, a lubrication system may also be necessary to keep the bit cool as it cuts into the concrete.

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What is the right drill bit for concrete or stone walls?

For drilling stone or concrete you'll want to use a good quality masonry bit, and a good rotary hammer drill.

As Shirlock points out quality is important here, so you don't want to skimp on the tools when drilling stone or concrete. You'll want to look for a carbide tipped masonry bit, as these tend to last a bit longer than the typical masonry bit. You'll also want to make sure the bit is rated to be used in a hammer drill, since a standard bit can easily be destroyed by the hammer action of the drill (causing personal/property damage and/or death).

If you're doing a small job and don't want to spend the money on expensive tools, you should be able to rent what you need from a local home center (Home Depot, Lowes).

A hammer drill is necessary when drilling stone or concrete, since grinding away the material with a standard drill would take far too long. A hammer drill works similar to a normal drill, but with an added mechanism that "hammers" the bit while also spinning it. The idea is that the hammer action will break up material at the bits tip, then the bit will grind up the loose material and carry it away along it's threads (clearing the hole).

To reduce heat on the bit you'll want to drill at a slower speed, and pull the bit out of the hole from time to time to clear the debris. Remember the hammer action can be brutal on the bit, so you'll want to use a quality bit and keep it cool to reduce the possibility of shattering it.

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