What are Masonry Drill Bits?

Masonry drill bits are tools used to drill through masonry structures, including brick and concrete. These tools resemble standard wood drill bits, but feature a more heavy-duty construction and special materials that allow them to drill through harder surfaces. Masonry drill bits may be used in conjunction with either a standard drill or a hammer drill, which hammers into the brick or concrete as it rotates. Using a variety of masonry drill bits, contractors can install electrical wiring and pipes through masonry walls, or even attach objects to masonry structures.

Manufacturers typically construct masonry drill bits out of very hard, durable metals instead of the traditional steel used for wood drilling. Some feature tungsten or carbide tips fused to a steel shank, while others include a silicon coating to enhance strength. Depending on the application, the entire length of the bit may be built using tungsten or carbide rather than just the tip. These materials allow the bit to hold up against the high temperatures and levels of force commonly found in masonry drilling.

In all but the most basic masonry drilling applications, workers must rely on hammer drills rather than regular wood drills. Hammer drills feature a heavy weight that applies a tapping force to the bit. This tapping force, combined with the rotation from the motor, helps to more efficiently drive the bit into concrete or stone. Buyers should be aware that hammer drills often feature a different design than a regular drill, and typically require special bits.

When choosing masonry drill bits, users must match the diameter of the shank to the size of the drill's chuck. The chuck is located at the front of the drill, and holds the bit in place during operation. Each type of drill may feature special bitting, or keying, which secures the bit. The bitting system on the drill bit must match the system used on the drill itself in order for the two to function together successfully.

Drilling through masonry creates a large amount of dust, which can impact the performance of the drill and bits. Installers should operate the drill at a slow speed to keep the bit from overheating as it goes through the masonry. It is also helpful to remove the bit from the wall frequently to remove dust from the opening. By keeping the bit spinning as it's removed from the wall, users can draw out excess dust to keep the opening as clean as possible.