Best SDS drill bits for drilling a lot of granite for the money?

Joined
9 Apr 2012
Messages
277
Reaction score
3
Country
United Kingdom
I'm cutting lots of granite with wedge and feather shims.
For this I'm drilling lots of holes in the granite with SDS masonry drill bits.
I'm getting through a lot of drill bits.

Which are the best durable SDS granite drill bits that will stay sharp for the money?
 
Sponsored Links
I've used dewalt bosch - and Makita - and all have been good quality.

Blup
 
You need to look for a 3- or 4-flute design if at all possible - Bosch, Heller, Hilti, DW, etc
 
You need to look for a 3- or 4-flute design if at all possible - Bosch, Heller, Hilti, DW, etc

I got some un-fluted Bosch "SDS Plus-3" carbide tipped drills this morning and drilled three 12mm holes each 4" deep before the bit packed in.
It was about £4 from toolstation.
I previousy tried stopping to let the drill bit cool down, then also tried pouring cold water on the hole.
Neither seemed to made a difference to longevity.

I looked up 3 and 4 flute carbide tips.
They seem to let the cut particles clear out of the hole more easily meaning already cut particles don't get cut twice or more often. Apparently this causes much less wear/ tip bluntening.
3 /4 flute carbide tips are much more expensive costing about £60 from what saw with a quick google.
The Bosch SDS single tip carbide drill I was using this morning costs £4.
£60 / £4 = 15.
Does the 3 /4 flute drill bit last 15 times longer?
Any specific recommendations on supplier /price.
 
Last edited:
Sponsored Links
Comparing engineering mills to masonry bits really won't get you very far, I'm afraid. They have completely different cutting actions (an SDS drill is literally a hammer which strikes to chip away the material then rotates to remove the waste up a spiral flute).

4in/100mm holes, try these Heller TriJets @ £11.33 each (incl. VAT, but carriage extra). Want to go deeper, then the same people also sell bits to do 200mm deep holes at £16.30 each (incl. VAT, but carriage extra). Even Amazon are doing a full set of 7 no Trijets (5/6/7/8/19/12mm) at £46.27, so who quoted £40? There are other bits around, but I find the Hellers pretty good, especially at the price. Price isn't everything - 3- and 4- flutes bits run cooler and drill faster and so drill straighter than cheaper 2-flute designs.
 
Comparing engineering mills to masonry bits really won't get you very far, I'm afraid. They have completely different cutting actions (an SDS drill is literally a hammer which strikes to chip away the material then rotates to remove the waste up a spiral flute).

4in/100mm holes, try these Heller TriJets @ £11.33 each (incl. VAT, but carriage extra). Want to go deeper, then the same people also sell bits to do 200mm deep holes at £16.30 each (incl. VAT, but carriage extra). Even Amazon are doing a full set of 7 no Trijets (5/6/7/8/19/12mm) at £46.27, so who quoted £40? There are other bits around, but I find the Hellers pretty good, especially at the price. Price isn't everything - 3- and 4- flutes bits run cooler and drill faster and so drill straighter than cheaper 2-flute designs.

Thanks. I got a Heller Trijet on ebay at this link.
 
Links in this post may contain affiliate links for which DIYnot may be compensated.

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Back
Top