How can I tell if a drill bit is for masonry?
William Howard
Published Apr 02, 2026
Masonry Drill Bits – Best for Stone and Brickwork
Masonry bits look like larger twist drills with a slightly tighter corkscrew shape. You can identify them thanks to their wide arrow-shaped heads. They're commonly used in hammer drills to grind masonry down as they cut through it.How can you tell if a drill bit is for masonry or wood?
The easiest way to tell the difference is by looking at the cutting tip geometry. On a wood bit there will be a sharp pointed spur in the center whereas the masonry bit has a carbide tipped cutting edges that are ground to 135-degree angle.What Colour is a masonry drill bit?
Masonry bits have a toughened tip which is quite different to normal twist drills. There is no special colour. Most masonry bits we use are plain grey or silver.How do I identify a drill bit?
Choosing Drill Bits by Type
- Wood Drill Bits: These can be identified by a small, pointed tip at the very end. If you look closely, you can see spurs on each side. ...
- Masonry Drill Bits: These bits have a gently sloping tip. ...
- Metal Drill Bits: These have a wide-angled point at the end, and they may also be painted black.
Can I use regular drill bits for concrete?
You can drill holes in concrete with a regular drill. Many people think that you cannot drill concrete with a regular drill. They believe that you need a special hammer drill with hardened drill bits. While these tools do make the job faster they are not necessary.How to Choose Masonry Drill Bits
What is the difference between a masonry drill bit and a regular drill bit?
The main visual difference is that masonry bits don't have the blunt, gently rounded tip you'll see on standard general-purpose bits. Instead, the tip is shaped rather like an arrowhead or is sometimes pentagonal like the home plate on a baseball diamond.Are concrete and masonry drill bits the same?
Are concrete and masonry drill bits the same? No. The major difference between concrete and masonry drills is their drilling heads. The cutting head of a concrete drill is relatively hard and made of Widia plate, while the cutting head of a masonry drill is made with a hardened metal material.What are black drill bits for?
Black Oxide Drill Bits – Basic and InexpensiveThis reduces friction between bit and workpiece, thereby speeding up the drilling process. Bits made with a black oxide coating are suitable for work on steel, copper, aluminum, brass, oak, maple, MDF, pine, PVC, polycarbonate, acrylic, ABS, nylon, and composite materials.
What does a drill bit for brick look like?
Masonry Drill Bits – Best for Stone and BrickworkMasonry bits look like larger twist drills with a slightly tighter corkscrew shape. You can identify them thanks to their wide arrow-shaped heads. They're commonly used in hammer drills to grind masonry down as they cut through it.