How long will bits last? Speed and bit life depend on several factors, including the type of aggregate, age of the concrete, type and sharpness of the bit and the amount of steel or rebar in the concrete. Generally, you can expect to drill between 150 and 250 holes with each bit.
It's difficult to guess how many holes a single masonry drill bit can make before it needs to be replaced. A rough estimate is that you'll use one 3/16" drill bit for every 100 holes. However, it really depends on the depth of the holes and the diameter of the bit.
When you observe visible wear or drilling takes longer than usual, then it's time to sharpen, regrind or replace your drill bit. Keep an eye out for chipping in the drill bit. It is safe to regrind or sharpen if the chipping is even.
It's likely you're just heating up the bits and ruining them quickly. If you're setting the dial to hammer and exerting decent pressure, it's the drill that's the problem. Make sure you have not accidentally set the drill in reverse mode.
Drilling into concrete is difficult because concrete is dense, hard, and has embedded aggregate stones that can be obstacles to the drill bit. Drilling can quickly dull drill bits. When the bit encounters aggregate, the bit drags even more.
The most common reason a drill won't penetrate a wall at all is because the drill is spinning in the wrong direction. If the drill bit enters the wall and then hits resistance, the typical cause is a metal plate or masonry obstruction.
Brick and Block (Masonry) – Lifespan: 60- 100+ Years. The oldest and most traditional method of building is with the good old brick. The brick has been around since 7000 BC and has been used ever since for the construction of buildings.
Though you don't need to water down the concrete, the water will help to collect and remove the drilling dust, which can be hazardous to your health and "clog" the drill bit. The water can also help to keep your bit from overheating, which in turn helps keep the bit from shattering.
Running a small amount of water over the area while drilling will reduce the heat of the bit and the friction between the sides of the concrete and the drill. A good quality hammer drill will finish a 2-inch deep, 1/4 inch wide hole in concrete block in less than a minute.
Masonry bits look like larger twist drills with a slightly tighter corkscrew shape. You can identify them thanks to their wide arrow-shaped heads.
Masonry bits cut holes through concrete in two steps. The tip of the drill bit is larger in diameter than the shaft below so that when the shaft reaches the hole, it fits right in. Drilling at a lower speed is more efficient for drilling through concrete, and it prevents the bit from overheating.
If you're wondering how to drill into brick without a hammer drill, it's not as simple or straightforward, but it is still doable. Drilling into a brick wall with a regular drill requires a high-quality masonry bit at the least. With no hammer action, the tool has to rely on its turning speed.
Depending on how thick the rebar itself is, you'll have a number of options regarding which type of core bit to work with, but generally speaking you'll have to use either a diamond-tipped core bit or a carbide core drill bit, because these are both extremely hard and have the capability of penetrating even the ...
If things are too wet and cold, too much water can seep into the mortar weakening its ability to bond materials together. If you're in for turbulent weather, cover the mortar work with tarps or shelter so it can cure well.
So what's the difference? Physically there are size differences in the masonry bits. SDS Plus have a 10mm shank, while the SDS Max has an 18mm. This means that SDS Max bits have an increased capability for tougher masonry work, withstanding more torque and force.
The big difference between a masonry drill and a concrete drill can be seen in the tip of the drill. On a masonry drill bit the cutting head of the drill is made of hardened metal. On a concrete drill, the cutting head is a very hard Widia plate.
By sealing your concrete every 2-5 years, as recommended by experts, you should keep your floor in good shape, preventing cracks, pitting, and additional damage.
The National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA TEK 10-2C) recommends that control joints be spaced at 25 feet or 1.5 times the height of the wall, whichever is less.
Most Exterior Bricks Do Not Need to Be Sealed
In fact, bricks today are even better made than they were a century ago. Most do not need the added layer of protection. Mortar has also gotten stronger over time. The mortar of today creates a better seal around the brick joints than the mortar made decades ago.
Mortar. In only rare instances would you have to consider whether to drill into bricks versus mortar, the much softer material that sits between them. As a general rule, unless you're hanging something very light (just a pound or two), always drill into brick.