From the author: Hello friends! To carry out repair and construction work, it is often necessary to drill into concrete and brick walls. Drills for metal surfaces are not suitable; they quickly begin to become dull and differ in the cutting part, quality and other features. Therefore, you need to know which drill bits for concrete are best, because there are quite a large number of their manufacturers.
Main types of concrete drills
A distinctive feature of a concrete drill from others is soldering. It is created from a strong alloy, due to which a hardness similar to diamond stones is achieved. Craftsmen call these types pobedit; these products differ in strength from other types that are created for metal or wood.
There are 2 main types by which concrete drills are classified:
- for a drill - consist of a shank for a nozzle, which is made in a cylindrical or multifaceted shape. The dimensions are small, the product is suitable for creating holes in many hard materials, for example, brick, foam block. It is recommended to use a high-power drill, which will allow you to drill into concrete,
- for a hammer drill - the drill is cylindrical in shape, has a shank, designations SDS PLUS or SDS MAX. The goods themselves are quite large and long, suitable for reinforced concrete structures.
If you need to create holes in a reinforced concrete structure using a simple drill, then it is not always possible to solve the problem with just a drill. You need to use a hammer drill, and for this tool, drills are divided into the following types:
- screw - used to create deep holes,
- spiral - suitable for large holes,
- flat - used for drilling passages of different sizes and depths.
For proper operation, you will need to not just insert the drill into the chuck, but snap it into place. To make this task easier, the products have a slight thickening at the very end. It should also be noted that the products are considered professional tools, since they can be used to create holes from 4 mm to 3 cm in diameter.
If you need a larger hole, then the crown type will come to the rescue. Such products make it possible to make a recess of 12 cm in diameter. The products are very durable and are produced in several versions:
- diamond - visually made in the form of a pipe or crown, mounted on a rod, the edges are coated with diamond, which ensures high strength,
- pobedit - similar to an attachment, the main difference from diamond is the absence of sputtering; it is replaced by special teeth made from pobedit.
It is recommended to use crown products for holes for sockets, switches or wiring, and other communications. To select a suitable concrete product for a drill, you will need to take into account not only the parameters of the element, but also the dimensions of the future hole. Based on this, the length of the drill is selected, which depends on the diameter:
- diameter 4 mm - length 5 cm,
- 5 mm - 10 cm,
- 6 mm - 15 cm,
- 8 mm - 25 cm,
- 10 mm - 54 cm,
- 12 mm or more - up to 100 cm.
It turns out that for large holes a long concrete drill is used. If you use thin instruments, there is a risk of damage due to increased load.
How to choose a drill for concrete?
For example, a drill based on an impact drill can penetrate lightweight types of concrete: aerated concrete, foam concrete, expanded clay concrete. But there is a very important nuance. The model of the selected equipment must have the “impact drilling” function.
Thanks to this, it is possible to create holes in the considered type of solid material and the average level of concrete.
- But, if you need to create a hole in beams, columns, or tiled floors, such equipment will not be suitable, since in this case reinforcement is used on the inside of the material.
- To cope with this task, it is worth studying the capabilities of various hammer drills equipped with the appropriate drill. The problem is that a standard drill will not be able to provide the impact force to work with such material.
These points must be taken into account when choosing a device and drill to perform the job reliably.
Features of drills
In order to choose the right drill for concrete structures, without making mistakes, you will need to know the features that distinguish them from products for metal and other materials.
The shape of the working area will be quite blunt; this area is made of a Pobedit plate. This type is suitable for concrete as woodworking products will include sharp tips. Due to this, at the beginning of the work, the wood is stuck inside, and only then a hole is made. The working area of a metal product is similar to a cone with no sharp points.
The color of concrete products is often metallic white. Products for wood will be strictly metal, and for metal, black colors are used.
Drilling Tips
There are a few simple rules to follow when drilling into concrete. Due to this, the work is performed more efficiently, and the service life of the product increases:
- When you first experience drilling concrete with a drill, you need to prepare several types of drills, you can even reserve them for metal. This is due to the fact that each type has its own purpose - for example, some are suitable for brick, while others are suitable for concrete and ceramics. When creating holes in the wall, there is a possibility that metal reinforcement will appear along the way, in which case the drill is changed and work continues,
- Some people specifically sharpen a concrete drill bit, so they can drill into metal during the job. This decision is wrong, since for the versatility of the product you will need to know many sharpening rules and have a lot of experience,
- It is forbidden to work without breaks; if the drill overheats, it may be damaged. It is recommended to drill for 15 seconds and then leave the drill to cool down. Do not use water or other mixtures for rapid cooling,
- Concrete always contains solid fractions in the form of stones, which can stop the drill during operation. It is easy to crush such inclusions with a chipper, and then continue to create a hole,
- if a hole needs to be made in a concrete wall, which is a load-bearing wall, or in ceilings, then it is better to use a hammer drill. Thanks to it, work is performed more efficiently and quickly,
- It is necessary to drill ceramics on walls or floors without the impact mode of the drill, otherwise the materials will be destroyed. Ceramic surfaces should only be worked with concrete drills,
- Cheap concrete drills are made from low-quality alloy, so they are not hard and need to be sharpened from time to time. To do this, you can use an angle grinder and a diamond disc,
- While drilling, it is not recommended to put pressure on the drill; this causes loss of balance, and drilling becomes more difficult. In addition, there is a possibility of the drill breaking, it simply bursts,
- To make holes for plastic dowels, it is recommended to make the depth a little larger. Dust and other dirt will not allow you to place the element correctly, a reserve is simply necessary,
- You need to start drilling concrete with low drill speeds so that the drill does not jump and the hole is smooth. After reaching a certain depth, the speed increases or the tool switches to impact mode,
- If the drill is used very often and for a long time, then you need to replace the chuck. Over the years, the fixation weakens, so the quality of work decreases, there is a risk of injury,
- When drilling, experts recommend soaking the drill in cold water, but not cooling it using this method. This rule protects the product from damage,
- To maintain cleanliness while working, it is recommended to put a plastic cup on the drill. This protects against flying concrete dust,
- Do not hold or hold the chuck with your hands while the drill is operating. You can only hold on to the body,
- When using gloves and protective clothing, it is important to use the correct size to avoid getting caught in the cartridge. Additionally, it is recommended to wear glasses to protect your eyes from dust.
When working according to the rules and using these tips, drilling concrete will be a simple and safe task, and the drills will last a long time.
The best metal drill sets
Such drills can be made of different grades of high-speed steel and differ in appearance and color. Products are flat and spiral, cylindrical and conical. Their gray color indicates low quality of the product, black indicates an increased working life. Drills for metal with a light golden color are capable of working for a long time in intensive mode.
Titanium components are present in products of a bright golden color. They help reduce the level of friction and significantly extend the working life, but their disadvantage is their increased cost.
BOSCH PointTeQ 2.608.577.351
The products of this German company are made of high-speed steel HSS, which ensures efficient drilling of metal. The sharpening angle of 135 degrees allows you to perform the drilling operation with minimal losses. The product has a cylindrical shank.
Pros of the set:
- A variety of drills of different diameters (19 pieces).
- Convenient packaging.
- It is easy to find the required drill bit in the marked slots.
- Good sharpening of cutting edges.
- Excellent product quality, withstands drilling of thick parts.
- They note the high quality and ease of use of such a tool, despite its Chinese origin.
Cons of the set:
- When drilling at an angle they fail.
DeWALT DT 7926
These drills allow you to quickly and efficiently make holes in cast iron, non-ferrous metal, and steel products. The set is suitable for use at home and at work. Their use makes it possible to perform drilling operations twice as fast as, for example, drilling metal parts with similar high-speed steel products.
Pros of the set:
- Large selection of consumable tools. The set includes 29 drills with a diameter from 1 to 13 mm.
- Convenient packaging in which each socket has a drill diameter designation.
- Cute set design.
- The presence of a special tip on drills from 3.2 mm allows for quick and accurate drilling.
- Innovative production technology prevents damage to the edges of the product.
- The triangular end of the cylindrical shank ensures reliable fixation of the drill in the chuck.
- Product markings are located above the working part, which makes it visible even during intensive work.
Cons of the set:
- Small working resource.
- Unsuitable for sharpening.
- At the exit, when drilling, the metal is undermined.
Gigant DBM 11025
Products of a Russian company, which, as the manufacturer declares, are produced at enterprises in our country and China. Ground drills are treated with a special coating. This protection prevents the consumable tool from overheating during operation and increases the working life of the product.
Pros of the set:
- Convenient and compact case dimensions: 190x121x54 mm.
- Large selection of drills (25 pcs.) of different diameters: from 1 to 13 mm.
- Excellent quality metal alloy: products do not crumble or break.
- Withstands sharpening for a long time.
Cons of the set:
- Complaint to the manufacturers: regarding the quality of the case - fragile material, unreliable lock.
Consumers are quite satisfied with the performance quality of this tool.
Sharpening
When drilling concrete surfaces, sooner or later there is a need to sharpen the working part, even if it is made of diamond or coated with diamond. For the procedure you will need to use a sharpener or a special machine. In addition, at home you can use a regular universal machine or sharpen attachments with a grinder.
It is important to inspect the drill tip before doing any work. It should have 2 “shelves” that are the same length. Otherwise, damage will occur during drilling, and the holes themselves will be of poor quality. The whole sharpening process is not complicated, the main thing is to ensure the evenness of the shelves:
- for concrete and other hard materials, the alpha angle is 200–300,
- the cutting edges must not touch the grinding wheel, otherwise there is a risk of breakage,
- When sharpening, it is forbidden to bring the drills to heat; from time to time you need to pause and cool the material; the use of water is allowed. If the working part is hot, then it must be left to cool in the usual way, since contact with water risks cracking the drill.
Sharpening a drill for concrete is a complex process that requires certain skills, so without knowledge it is better to turn to the experts.
Review of manufacturers
Drills that are used for concrete are produced by both domestic and foreign companies. The cost largely depends on the country of origin. The high price of the product is justified, since all types of concrete products are characterized by a long service life and improved quality. It is very difficult to say exactly which is the best concrete drill bit for a drill. Among the leaders from foreign brands are:
- Makita - precision drills with unusual brazing. While working, it is easy to create smooth and clear holes of different sizes, but more often they are shallow,
- Bosch is the most popular company producing equipment and materials for repairs and construction. The drills have a four-spiral working surface. This ensures maximum performance and minimum friction. Often used for drilling concrete of any density and creating deep holes,
- Diager Twister is a company that is distinguished by its high reliability and high-quality product. Drills are used for both concrete, brick, and other stones. The assortment is very large, there are drills for drills, hammer drills and other tools,
- Metabo and Staver .
The companies described produce high-quality products, but they are expensive. Among domestic companies and manufacturers from the CIS and China, it is necessary to highlight:
- Bison are the most common drills from domestic manufacturers. The company offers a large assortment at an affordable price with good quality,
- Interskol,
- Anchor,
- Hurricane.
Chinese drills can be quite good and reliable, but they cost more than usual. It is worth understanding that high-quality goods cannot be cheap, since only the best raw materials and new technologies are used for their production. To make the right choice, it is recommended to watch the video:
Products with low cost may be made from a poor alloy, or made in violation of the technological process. There are many fakes that are almost no different from the original. Craftsmen claim that a fake is always darker in color, since some of the stages during casting are skipped or disrupted. To save money, it is better to buy drills in a set rather than individually.
Best Wood Drill Sets
Special drills are used to work with wood. They differ in type: they can be ring and feather, screw and milling. There are also Forstner drills and a countersink. They are used for various types of work with wooden material. Let's name the best sets of similar drills.
DeWALT 4535
A set of screw drills allows you to work with any hard wood material. Vanadium and chromium additives provide long-term wear resistance to this consumable material and also improve cutting properties. The ground surface increases the precision of processing and the cleanliness of the hole edges.
Pros of the set:
- The set contains the most popular sizes of drilling products: 4,5,6,8,10 mm.
- Affordable price.
- Convenient packaging.
Cons of the set:
- Products produced in the Asian region are uncentered and crooked.
Ryobi RAK07SB 5132002252
Such drills from Japanese manufacturers are used for drilling holes in thin wood material, for example, in chipboard. The set includes 7 pieces with a diameter from 10 to 32 mm. The shank of the products has a hexagonal shape, which ensures reliable fixation in the drilling tool.
Pros of the set:
- Small, easy to use, kit dimensions: 275x250x55 mm.
- Universal use: can be used for plasterboard and plastic work.
- The point located in the center ensures precision drilling.
- Convenient case with product diameter markings.
Cons of the set:
- The curvature of most drills causes beating to be felt during operation.
- Poor sharpening quality.
- The cutting edge quickly becomes dull.
BOSCH Robust Line 2.607.010.533
The use of high-chromium and high-vanadium CV steel with anti-corrosion coating by German manufacturers guarantees the durability of the products even under intense loads. These screw drills can be used to drill holes in various types of wood. The set includes 8 pieces of the most popular sizes: 3×30, 4×40, 5×45, 6×50, 7×60, 8×65, 9×70 and 10×75 mm.
Pros of the set:
- Reliable packaging made of impact-resistant plastic.
- Improved sharpening quality of cutting edges.
- Convenient fixation of the shank in the equipment.
- Long product life.
Cons of the set:
- Unreliable fixation of the consumable tool in the open case.