What is the BEST drill bit for drilling into brick

[gonch69]

Also if the bit you brought is what I think multi construction for steel masonry and wood you don't use hammer action with these bits

 

[SFK]

Nicetoseeyou,
I think you have bought one of these, which are for multi use "masonry, wood, aluminium, structural steel, plastic, concrete B35 and multi-layer materials such as tile on concrete".
I feel that this means that the one you bought is a jack of all trades and a master of none:
https://www.toolstation.com/bosch-multi-construction-tct-drill-bit-set/p51204

For a normal hammer drill I would have got a standard 'masonry' only drill bit (I am showing Toolstation, but available from other stores):
https://www.toolstation.com/dewalt-extreme-masonry-drill-bit/p31261
or
https://www.toolstation.com/milwaukee-masonry-drill-bit/p88969

or get a set so ready for other jobs and you can pilot the hole (use small drill bit and work way up):
https://www.toolstation.com/milwaukee-masonry-drill-bit-set/p63787
or
https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-straight-shank-masonry-drill-bit-set-8-pieces/3189x
SFK

 

[JP_]

I recently bought a JCB SDS drill from B&Q and it eats through my bricks in seconds. Cannot remember brand of bit, whatever was on the shelf in B&Q and not too expensive!

 

[SFK]

Jonbey,
Fully agree, SDS makes light work of drilling.
And my SDS would be my go to for this job.

But if Nicetoseeyou is buying single drill bits, I felt that budget and 'not too many tools in my shed' was a prime here.
SFK

 

[Lower]

I have an inexpensive set of SDS bits (less than £20 from screwfix around 10 years ago) and an inexpenisve bosch sds drill. I've replaced one drill bit in all that time and although i am a diyer, they've done a lot of work and are still going strong.

In my opinion, you'd be much better off buying an SDS drill and bits that trying to find a non sds drill bit that won't wear out quickly.

 

[Stivino]

SDS and bricks = sledgehammer + nut.

 

[johnny2007]

SDS and bricks = sledgehammer + nut.

You should try drilling into old properties bricks with a cheap cordless or hammer drill.
You'd be burning drill bit after drill bit.

 

[Stivino]

You should try drilling into old properties bricks with a cheap cordless or hammer drill.
You'd be burning drill bit after drill bit.

What makes you so sure that I've never done such a thing?

 

[EddieM]

You should try drilling into old properties bricks with a cheap cordless or hammer drill.
You'd be burning drill bit after drill bit.

Bricks don't change much with age, a new Accrington brick is always gonna be much tougher than an old LBC red for instance.

 

[JP_]

Don't know what my 1930s bricks are made from, but a small battery powered drill with masonry drill bit hardly made a dent.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Who says that you'll only ever drill into brick? I live in a stone district where it is often necessary to drill into various types of stone, one awkward one being what they often call Yorkshire flags, although I do sometimes have to deal with stuff like granite and high density concrete. Both the latter, and for that matter engineering brick (e.g. Accringtons), will defeat lightweight impact drills (i.e.combi drills) and require an SDS

 

[johnny2007]

Bricks don't change much with age, a new Accrington brick is always gonna be much tougher than an old LBC red for instance.

It's not the brick that changes with age, it's the kind of bricks they used at the time that is a lot harder.

 

[johnny2007]

What makes you so sure that I've never done such a thing?

The fact you mention a sledgehammer and a nut made me think that you were saying: "using an sds on bricks is the same as using a sledgehammer to crack a nut"
Did i misunderstand?

 

[EddieM]

It's not the brick that changes with age, it's the kind of bricks they used at the time that is a lot harder.

In days of yore, they used what was available locally.

 

[EddieM]

Who says that you'll only ever drill into brick? I live in a stone district where it is often necessary to drill into various types of stone, one awkward one being what they often call Yorkshire flags, although I do sometimes have to deal with stuff like granite and high density concrete. Both the latter, and for that matter enginering brick, will defeat ligjtweight impact drills (i.e.combi drills) and require an SDS

I used to live in a flint area, that's a sod to drill, harder than steel, but brittle so no hammer, a real PITA.