There is a fascinating range of drill bits on the market. They vary in size, material and design, each adapted to the specific demands of the materials to be drilled. Not all drill bits are universal; using the wrong drill bit can cause damage to both the surface to be worked and the tool itself.
Now, we will look at the different types of drill bits most frequently used, highlighting their distinctive features. With this guide, we seek to guide you towards the most appropriate choice for your drilling tasks, ensuring optimal performance and impeccable results.
The Fundamental Parts of a Drill Bit
Drill bits consist of three essential components:
Shank: It can be cylindrical for diameters less than 10 mm and conical for larger dimensions. There are also reduced and triangular shanks designed to prevent slipping when drilling particularly hard materials.
Body: Located between the handle and the tip, it can have one or multiple helix-shaped grooves. Its length determines the maximum depth achievable in the drilling.
Tip: Conical end of the drill bit, crucial for cutting. Generally, its cutting angle is around 118º, although it can vary depending on the material to be drilled.
1. Metal Drill Bits
Known as HSS (High Speed Steel) drill bits, they are designed to drill metals. They have a sharp tip and two helical grooves. These drill bits are classified according to the quality of the materials and their cutting capacity:
Flat HSS: Economical and simple, these metal drill bits easily lose their edge, suitable for less precise work.
Ground HSS: Mid-range, they offer greater precision and quality, being ideal for semi-hard materials such as copper, aluminum or plastics.
Titanium HSS: Coated with a titanium alloy, these drill bits are highly precise and durable, suitable for hard metals such as stainless steel.
HSS Cobalt Ground: Of the highest quality, they can drill even the hardest metals without the need for cooling, thanks to their resistance to high temperatures.
2. Wood Drill Bits
Made of chrome vanadium, these drill bits stand out for their three sharp tips, the central one being a guide for drilling wood and derivatives. Wood drill bits are subdivided according to their characteristics:
• Three-pointed: These are the most commonly used for drilling wood, generally made of chrome-vanadium steel, ideal for a wide variety of woods.
• Spade drill bit: Also known as a paddle drill bit, it is characterized by having a very sharp and short tip that acts as a guide center. The spade is responsible for drilling the wood.
• C or conical drill bits: Used for large diameter holes, these drill bits have a central toothed crown that acts as a drilling guide.
• Forstner: These drill bits make clean circular cuts and remove waste efficiently.
3. Concrete Drill Bits
Also called widia drill bits, they are essential in construction, intended to drill concrete, walls, stones, bricks, among others. They stand out for their reinforced tip for greater drilling capacity.
• Widia drill bit: They have high hardness and are ideal for drilling very hard materials such as marble.
• With tungsten carbide: With a laminated body, they are used to drill materials such as plaster, cement, brick or stone.
• Milled with high-performance carbide plate: Its body is milled and both its duration and precision are greater than that of the widia drill bit. It is suitable for drilling plaster, cement, limestone, brick, sandstone and asbestos.
4. Diamond Drill Bits
These drill bits, equipped with diamond tips, guarantee precision and an exceptional finish on tiles, ceramic tiles, glass and marble, among other materials. They are characterized by their diamond-coated tip and can vary depending on wet or dry drilling, as well as the quality and quantity of diamond embedded and the type of shank. They require cooling during use.
In conclusion, choosing the right drill bit is essential to ensure optimal results in your drilling projects. With a clear understanding of the features and variations available, you will be able to approach each task with confidence and precision, obtaining an impeccable finish on your jobs.
SUMMARY
DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRILL BITS AND HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE THEM?
When faced with the task of drilling, many are surprised by the diversity of drill bits available on the market. Each type, from those designed for metal to those ideal for wood or concrete, has specific characteristics that make them suitable for certain jobs. But how do you distinguish them and choose the right one?
To start, it is essential to understand the fundamental parts of a drill bit: the handle, the body and the tip. The handle can be cylindrical or conical, depending on the size of the drill bit, and some have special designs to prevent slipping in hard materials. The body, which sits between the handle and the tip, can have helix-shaped grooves that determine the maximum drilling depth. And finally, the tip, crucial for cutting, usually has a standard angle of around 118º, although it can vary depending on the material to be drilled.
Now, let’s take a look at the most common types of drill bits and their distinctive features:
Metal Drill Bits:
From inexpensive to high-quality titanium-coated, these drill bits are specifically designed to drill metals of various hardnesses. It is important to choose the right one depending on the type of metal and the precision required in the job.
Wood Drill Bits:
With sharp tips and different designs, these drill bits are ideal for drilling wood and derivatives. The choice depends on the type of wood and the type of drilling required.
Concrete Drill Bits:
Essential in construction, these drill bits are reinforced to drill hard materials such as concrete, brick and stone. There are varieties for different types of materials and levels of resistance.
Diamond Drill Bits:
Equipped with diamond tips, these drill bits offer precision and an exceptional finish on materials such as tiles, glass and marble. Their choice depends on the drilling method (wet or dry) and the material to be drilled.
In short, choosing the right drill bit is essential to obtain optimal results in any drilling project. With a basic understanding of the features and variations available, you can approach your tasks with confidence and precision, achieving impeccable finishes on your jobs.
