Posted by Zoe Geoffrion , on Jul, 2018
You’re going to run into trouble if you approach drilling into masonry the same way you’d drill into a softer material, like wood or even metal. But as long as you take the proper precautions and have the correct equipment on hand, drilling into concrete or brick can be done safely and without stress. Here are three tips for drilling into concrete with a hand drill.
Use carbide drill bits
You should use a drill bit made of material sharp enough to cut into masonry. Carbide drill bits are the most used for this kind of drilling because of the unique sharpness of carbide. According to How Stuff Works, carbide stays sharper for longer than other materials, with a carbide tip holding its edge ten to twenty times longer than a steel tip.
Use a hammer drill
While you can get away with using a hand drill for materials on the softer end of the masonry spectrum, a hammer drill is recommended for all types of masonry for safety reasons. A good hammer drill will be able to maintain the slow steady speed that you need for drilling into masonry.
Drill the hole deeper than you think
When drilling into concrete, the best practice is to drill slightly deeper than the actual screw will penetrate, to account for dust accumulation from the concrete. Most hammer drills have an adjustable depth stop to make it easier to drill to the correct depth.
Drill with a steady hand
Keep steady pressure while drilling and don’t let your eagerness rush you into going too fast. This can be dangerous for you, in addition to the risk of stripping your screws.
Once you’re equipped with the proper drill and your carbide drill bits, you can approach your masonry project with the confidence that can only come from having the right tools for the job.
