How to Use Diamond Drill Bits

Diamond drill bits are generally used on stained glass, glass, ceramics, porcelain, limestone, granite, slate, stone, and fiberglass, ceramic and porcelain tiles.

Basically, diamond drill bits are used on extremely hard materials, which regular drill bits will not cut through. Regular drill bits that are used on hard materials will result in heat build up which ‘burn’ the bit and cause heat fractures in the metal material the drill bit is made out of. Diamond drill bits have diamond tips that grind through extremely hard materials such as those listed above. Using carbide tipped, spear point drill bits are often used on hard materials that are a little softer than those listed, such as sandstone and marble, however they can leave a rough hold and have a tendency to chip the surface severely. They can also cause breakage in the drilled material and the bit due to heat build up and chipping.

The most important issues to remember when using diamond tip drill bits are to use a very slow to slow drill speed, low drill pressure and plenty of lubrication.

It is imperative to use a variable speed drill so you can select the most appropriate speed for the material you are drilling. You should also never use impact drills, such as hammer drills, should never be used with diamond drill bits.

Lubrication is critical when using a diamond drill bit to keep from building up heat at the drilling site. Water is the most widely used lubricant as it works quite well and has no cost. You should not use oil-based lubricants with diamond drill bits—they do not work well. Lubrication also helps to increase the life of the diamond drill bit. For some drilling jobs, it is imperative that you drill completely under water, or to have water running constantly over the drill bit and bore hole, such as when drilling ceramic and porcelain tiles, granite and marble.
You should only use, at the most, a medium pressure on the drill when using a diamond drill bit and to let the drill bit ‘drill at its own speed’. Increasing the pressure will likely result in causing the diamond drill bit to overheat and burn it up. By increasing the heat in the bore hole, you can also cause breakage and heat fractures.


 

Tools and construction tips:
Types of tools
Garage and home construction
Outdoor DIY projects
Heavy construction equipment
Industrial construction

©, All Drill Bits.com
All rights reserved worldwide. Always use safety precautions when using tools. Follow manufacturers instructions. The content on this site is the authors opinion only and not to be confused with professional advice.

Disclaimers

Buy drill bits

Drill bit guide