Best bits for masonry drilling

BrokenArrows

I have a drill which ive been using for the past year for lots of DIY jobs and its been doing fine but ive always struggled when i need to drill masonry (red brick and concrete blocks).

I have a set of bits that i bought a long time ago which is here http://www.diy.com/departments/bosch-x-line-mixed-drill-bit-accessory-set-34-piece/208137_BQ.prd

Ive always thought these drill bits sucked for masonry because ive always struggled big time.

Anyway last week i couldnt find my 6mm masonry bit so i just grabbed the 6mm HSS bit and it went through the concrete block like butter. 10 holes later and it got worn out and started to struggle again. I assume this is because the HSS is nice and sharp and cuts into the concrete but cant stand up to this job for any significant amount of time.

Anyway what is a very good masonry drill bit set that i can get that will make my masonry drilling easy?

listermint

Do you have an SDS? If not, get one. life changing and wont rubbish bits as fast as what you have. ive had a great time with DeWalt SDS bits.

my3cents

If you don't do that much stone drilling then the Lidl SDS drill is a good buy when they have it on offer.

studdlymurphy

Sds all the way you won't regret it the other hammer action is like a toy compared to it.

markc1184

my3cents wrote: »

If you don't do that much stone drilling then the Lidl SDS drill is a good buy when they have it on offer.

Agree with this. I bought the Aldi version and it's done a great job whenever needed.

BrokenArrows

Cheers. Ill keep an eye out in Aldi and Lidl for an SDS

celticbhoy27

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Cheers. Ill keep an eye out in Aldi and Lidl for an SDS

Worth having a look on screwfix aswel. You can get some makes which would be as good value as the lidl or Aldi versions

quietsailor

A good set of bits is more important than changing the drill itself. If your only drilling into concrete occasionally then buy good bits

Hilti bits are the rolls Royce level, makita or DeWalt are the next level down.

kurtainsider

quietsailor wrote: »

A good set of bits is more important than changing the drill itself. If your only drilling into concrete occasionally then buy good bits

Hilti bits are the rolls Royce level, makita or DeWalt are the next level down.

Sorry quietsailor - I can't agree with you there. OP - get an SDS drill first.

However, I bought an Aldi one once and binned it after a few uses. I then bought a Makita which was a life changing event. 3 times the price of the Aldi one but 50 times better.

my3cents

quietsailor wrote: »

A good set of bits is more important than changing the drill itself. If your only drilling into concrete occasionally then buy good bits

Hilti bits are the rolls Royce level, makita or DeWalt are the next level down.

I nearly always use Hilti bits but I don't think I've ever seen Hilti masonry bits that weren't for an SDS drill?

So the OP is going to need an SDS drill.

There just isn't any comparison between a traditional impact drill and an SDS drill.

my3cents

Lidl from Thursday 28-12 they have an SDS drill https://www.lidl.ie/en/special-offers.htm?articleId=5793 €35.

tbh its not one I've any experience of so can't say how good or bad it is but for occasional use I'm sure it will be fine.

Graham_B18C

quietsailor wrote: »

A good set of bits is more important than changing the drill itself. If your only drilling into concrete occasionally then buy good bits

Hilti bits are the rolls Royce level, makita or DeWalt are the next level down.

You'd probably pay more for the hilti bit set than you would for a cheap SDS and a few bits. Pointless buying Hilti stuff for a few odd jobs around the house.

my3cents

Graham_B18C wrote: »

You'd probably pay more for the hilti bit set than you would for a cheap SDS and a few bits. Pointless buying Hilti stuff for a few odd jobs around the house.

You have a point but no one I know buys Hilti bits as a set, they just buy the ones they need as they need them. The cheap Lidl bit sets are OK and you get a lot for your money but most people will probably only be using 2 or 3 bit sizes so for the same price as a cheap set from Lidl you can get the few quality bits you need.

There really aren't any cheap SDS bits unless you buy the Aldi or Lidl type sets. One of the problems with the cheap SDS bits sets is they are often not quite long enough so you have to go out and buy individual bits and for lots of reasons I've found the Hilti ones to be good.

Cheap SDS bit sets are useful so you have a good range of sizes handy but as I've said the smaller sizes are often a little short, they don't cut as cleanly as they could in poor quality material, don't clear the dust as well (get stuck more often) and need more drill power in hard materials.

I don't see any problem with the economics of a €35 drill and then spending another €30 (probably less) on three good quality SDS drills - say 6, 8 and 10mm.

You can of course still go over the top for home use which I do as I try and get these Hilti TE-CX (SDS PLUS) METRIC when I have to buy a new bit. Thats because I used to use them commercially and found them the best, one reason being they carry on cutting without widening the hole or wandering (so your plugs still fit) if you start hitting extra hard aggregate or even rebar.

listermint

my3cents wrote: »

Lidl from Thursday 28-12 they have an SDS drill https://www.lidl.ie/en/special-offers.htm?articleId=5793 €35.

tbh its not one I've any experience of so can't say how good or bad it is but for occasional use I'm sure it will be fine.

That drill is ideal for home use, and the OP will notice a night and day difference between it and the current drill.


It will be a breath of air.

DublinDilbert

As the others have said, go for an SDS drill (even a cheaper one) and get some decent bits.

The small makita set are very good, I have 2 sets of these and have done endless work, still as good as new.
https://www.ie.screwfix.com/makita-sds-plus-masonry-drill-bit-set-5-pieces.html

ednwireland

my3cents wrote: »

Lidl from Thursday 28-12 they have an SDS drill https://www.lidl.ie/en/special-offers.htm?articleId=5793 €35.

tbh its not one I've any experience of so can't say how good or bad it is but for occasional use I'm sure it will be fine.

i got one a few years ago the chisel never seemed that good but i was getting some work done and the builder borrowed it (trying to figure a condesation issue - long story, concrete ring beam), he thought it was pretty good as he drilled loads of holes in the walls. ive never had and issue drilling into block and concrete with it and the bits supplied with it.