Normally, we can use a masonry drill bit for concrete and stones. There are types of masonry drill bits. Those are made with different materials such as carbide, tungsten, titanium, and diamond powder. Using these kinds of drill bit always withstands for the stone and concrete rather than a regular drill bit.
So let’s see, in-depth detail about drill bits for stone and concrete. The below guide will help you to select the right type of masonry drill bit for you quickly. So let’s keep reading on.
Types of Masonry Drill Bits For Stone and Concrete
Masonry drill bits can be used to drill both concrete and stones. These are harder materials. Hence hardest drill bits are essential for drilling purposes. Normally, we can use the same drill bit for both stone and concrete.
It is really hard to drill into these materials, and as a result of this, special drilling machines are used. These drilling machines are called hammer drills.
Hammer drills have a hammering mechanism. There, the drill bit moves forward and backward along the drill bit axis. Due to this, front-side materials are crushed and dusted. Finally, dust comes through the flutes.
In order to withstand this mechanism, stronger drill bits are needed. Hence, drill bits are made with different harder materials such as carbide, tungsten, diamond, etc.
When you choose a drill bit for these, you should select these types of drill bits
01. Carbide Tip Drill Bit
Carbide Drill Bits are made of tungsten carbide. In addition, bitumen is less reactive with iron because it has a lower percentage of cobalt.
Physical properties
- Although the hardness of carbide drill bits is not the same as the hardness of diamond, its hardness is high. Because the Moh’s scale is between 8.5 and 9.
- Carbide tip drill bits have high thermal resistance because their melting point is 28700C.
The tip angle of any drill bit varies depending on the material to be drilled using it. Most cobalt tip drill bits are used to drill hard materials, so their tip angle is 140 degrees.
The Carbide drill bit can sharpen. Therefore, it can be used for long-term purposes.
02. Tungsten Tip Drill Bit
Tungsten oxide mixes with graphite (carbon) and heats above 1200˚ C (2200˚ F). A chemical reaction that takes place removes oxygen from the oxides and combines carbon with tungsten to form tungsten carbide.
To use the carbide tip drill bit, very high-level equipment must be used because these drill bits are the strongest bit.
Physical properties
Tungsten tip drill bits have high thermal resistance because the Melting point is 2,785–2,830 °C and the boiling point is 6,000 °C.
These bits have an outer coating. Indeed, this coating helps in fast and efficient drilling work.
Under this type, there has few variations according to the material;
- Tungsten Steel Alloy
- Tungsten Carbide
03. Tungsten Carbide Drill Bit
- Material – Tungsten Carbide
- Chemically treated tungsten carbide has high thermal insulating properties.
- The melting point at 2,870 °C (3,140 K)
- The boiling point of 6,000 °C (6,270 K)
- Four flutes of these bits are designed to clean debris during fast and efficient excavation.
- During the drilling, three flats on the shank eliminate bit of slipping in the chuck.
- The tip of this bit is rock carbide, which maximizes carbide surface contact and gives a longer bit life.
- Also, this type of masonry drill bit has a two-cut carbide tip for a longer lifespan.
04. Diamond Drill Bit
A diamond-tipped drill bit is a type of masonry drill bit that is created with diamond particles on the tip or cutting edge. This gives the drill bit increased hardness and durability, making it capable of drilling through hard materials such as glass, ceramic, stone, and some metals.
When using a diamond drill bit, you don’t need any hammering action. Due to the hardness of the diamond bits, they can drill into the stones easily. Most of diamond drill bits are core drill bits. Hence those can be used to drill wider holes in the wood and stones. More than that, diamond drill bits can be used to drill both concrete, stones, and rebars. That is an awesome tool you should have in your toolbox.
Diamond-tipped drill bits are often used in precision drilling applications requiring a clean, precise hole. They can be used to drill holes in a variety of materials, including tiles, bricks, concrete, and granite. Diamond-tipped drill bits are also commonly used in the jewelry industry for drilling through precious stones and gems.
Drilling Machines for Concrete and Stones
Normally, we can use light tools and heavy-duty tools for drilling stones and concrete. At home, we can use a regular hammer drill, in the site we can use rotary hammers, and beyond that, we can use a huge drilling machines with larger diameter core bits for both stone and concrete.
Let’s talk about DIY and construction sites.
1. Hammer Drills
Hammer drills are small in size. It can operate 110V domestic voltage or 12V, 18V batteries. Hence these tools can be used to small-size projects. Normally, hammer drills have a hammering action. These tools have a low-power hammering action, which is sufficient for DIYs. Hammering action is measured by the BPM, and it is 30,000 for the hammer drills. Sometimes this can be exceeded than that.
2. Rotary Hammer (SDS Drills)
Rotary hammers, and SDS drills are made as the same tool. Rotary hammers are heavy-duty tools. Those are suitable for construction purposes. There is a piston-based hammering mechanism, and it can be 50,000 higher value. Due to the heavy-duty hammering mechanism, larger diameter drill bits can be used on these tools.
How to Drill Stone and Concrete?
When you need to drill stone or concrete, you should follow the below steps. First of all you will need few more tools in order to have a good result.
Instruments for Drilling Stone and Concrete
- Hammer drill
- SDS max drill bits
- A power source (battery or power cable)
- Water as coolant
- Dust removing method
- Safety instruments (mask, gloves, goggles)
Steps to Drill Stone and Concrete
➤ Step 01
Clean the area you are going to drill. Make sure the drilling machine can be reached to the exact place and there is sufficient space with suitable power sources
➤ Step 02
Mark the point you need to drill. Make sure there is no pipe line or power line especially drill on the concrete.
➤ Step 03
Start with lower RPM. if step 1,2 alright, you can set up the drilling machine and then start lower RPM at the beginning. If you can start without a hammering function, you can place it properly. Gradully you can increase the RPM.
➤ Step 04
Apply dust removal method to remove the dust. This can be a huge problem for indoor concrete drilling.
➤ Step 05
Use water as a coolant if it is necessary. When you feel the bit is overheating too much, you can use water as a coolant. But overhead drilling and water is not good solution.
➤ Step 06
Clean the drilled hole and then close it properly with a suitable cap. Sometimes holes can be filled with debris. Hence you can close it properly.
