When we need to drill stone and concrete, we are not able to use a regular drill bit due to the hardness of that material. So we need a stronger drill bit that has higher strength and hardness. So let’s see, what types of drill bit should we use for the stone and concrete?
Normally, we can use a masonry drill bit for the concrete and stone. There are types of masonry drill bits. Those are made with different material such as carbide, tungston, titanium, and diamond powder. Using this kinds of drill bit always withstand for the stone and concrete rather than 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.
Suitable Drill Bits For Stone and Concrete
Normally, masonry drill bits are used to drill stone and concrete. Therefore, this type of drill bits can be used to drill stones and bricks. The masonry drill bits are made from tungsten or carbide material. Regular drill bits can also be used for this purpose.
As in other cases when drilling concrete and stones, the following points should be considered.
- Drill bit material
- In the cut
- Confirmation of the material used by ordinary or stone type.
- If it is a rock, the value of its hardness
Accordingly, there are masonry drill bits under different product brands in the market.
The masonry drill bits drill the concrete by using two steps. Bricks, stones, and concrete are slightly heavier materials, so drilling can be extremely hot, so it is best to keep the speed below the level that can withstand it.
I could find these 09 Reasons for the Drill Bit Being Hot and These are my favorite 07 Tips to Cool the Drill Bit. These will help you to protect your drill bit.
The optimum speed for concrete excavation is between 350 and 750 RPM.
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.
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
You can Identify Each Drill Bit Using this Guide.
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 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.
Hammer Drill Bit
- Material – Granite
- Has diamond carbide tip – It is an outstanding fact of this drill type.
Offers extreme toughness and fast drilling although, these tips are not so durable when too much force is applied.
- The flutes of these bits are designed to clean debris during fast and efficient excavation.
- These drill bits can use for various kinds of surfaces.
You will find that a drill with the most suitable hardness to drill concrete and stones in general is an important consideration. In addition, the user should drill at an appropriate angle.
Coating of drill bits increases the durability and strength of the bit. Coating plays a big role in keeping bit edges perfectly sharp. These adhesives are also more important to prevent bits from rusting in general.
Read More About – Top 08 Drill Bit Problems and Solutions
Stone and Concrete Hardness
According to the gemology and other relevant study areas; the hardness of the material or stone is checked manually by using Moh’s scale. This method must observe the quantity and ability to scratch the material by using the mentioned material.
| Common Object | Scale Number |
| Masonry drill bit | 8.5 |
| Steel nail | 6.5 |
| Knife or glass plate | 5.5 |
| Copper penny | 2.5 |
| Fingernail | 2.5 |
- Scale is range from 1-10.
- Diamonds are identified in the 10th place on this scale.
- A soft mineral like talc has been identified under number 1.
- That is, the hardness increases from 1-10
| Scale Number | Stone |
| 01 | Talc |
| 02 | Gypsum |
| 03 | Calcite |
| 04 | Fluorite |
| 05 | Apatite |
| 06 | Orthoclase |
| 07 | Quartz |
| 08 | Topaz |
| 09 | Corundum |
| 10 | Diamond |
We know that concrete is usually applied in the construction industry after bonding. It is important to the strength of that construction. Iron wire does not change the hardness of the concrete, but generally the hardness of the construction. That is, the hardness increases.
Drill Bits and Their Hardness
In order to drill a different material using a drill bit, the hardness of the drill bit must be increased or the bit may break.
- A masonry drill bit is used to identify materials with a hardness greater than 8.5, according to Moh’s scale, which is used to measure the hardness level of different materials mentioned earlier. Therefore its hardness value is 8.5.
- Tungsten drill bits fall between 8.5 and 9 on the Moh’s rigidity scale.
Read More About – What is Diamond Drill Bit? – All You Should Know!
How Hammering Action Helps to Drill Stones?
- First Step
First determine where to drill the hole or holes in the rock. Use a pencil to mark the area or places where the holes should be.
- Second Step
If you are using a cordless drill, it must be fully charged. If you are using a corded drill, it should be easy to set up.
- Third Step
After that insert a carbide or diamond-tipped masonry drill bit into the drill. Loosen the drill wheel, insert the drill bit into its end, and tighten the drill wheel back up.
- Fourth Step
The drill bit should be directed directly at the marked locations on the rock and activated. Slow drilling should begin.
- By drilling slowly, the marked area can be drilled slightly and the rock can be subjected to rapid drilling with high pressure.
Improved Hammering Action for Concrete and Stones
Considering the user experience, hammer drills are extremely valuable in terms of mechanism, price, usability, use of materials, and compatibility with other tools, hammer drills are easy to use due to their light weight and size. A real solution for drilling concrete.
The regular drill has only rotational force only. There have two types of hammering actions
- The cross-section of the drill bit is circular. It can be input to the chuck of a hammer drill. There are three jaws. The chuck and drill bit move together during the hammering action.
- Although in the next type, slotted drive sharp (SDS) only the drill tool will move during the hammering action. The chuck will not move together. So, the SDS hammering action here is more of a work in progress than before.
- There is a slight difference in SDS, SDS Plus and SDS Max drills.
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