Drills and drill bits are staples of any toolbox. With the vast range of projects which require the use of a drill, from small DIY jobs around the house to more serious and heavy duty construction projects, it just makes sense. However diamond drill bits are often overlooked, despite their usefulness and versatility.
Diamond drill bits can do what other drill bits just can’t. Because diamonds are so hard, a diamond drill bit can cut into almost anything. Maybe there’s some material involved in a potential project which is so tough you didn’t think you’d be able to drill into it. With the help of a diamond drill bit, you can.
In this ultimate guide we will explain everything you need to know about diamond drill bits, from how to choose and use them to the most common problems you might encounter when drilling with them, giving you the confidence you need to add diamond drill bits to your toolkit.
What is a diamond drill bit?
A diamond drill bit is an extremely useful tool, designed for drilling into hard and fragile materials such as glass, stone or porcelain. Diamond drill bits are so powerful because they have a layer of very tiny pieces of diamond on their tips. As diamond is one of the hardest substances in the world, diamond drill bits are able to cut into pretty much anything – it may just take more time and patience to drill into a very hard gemstone, for example, over a piece of glass.
Diamond drill bits come in a range of sizes starting as small as 1mm in diameter. They are often used by jewellers because of their ability to cut through even the hardest materials with exceptional precision and detail.
Diamond drill bits aren’t just for cutting through extremely tough materials. The hardness of a diamond drill bit makes it ideal for cutting through brittle or fragile materials without shattering them too, so if you need to drill through glass or tile, a diamond drill bit is what you’ve been looking for to get the job done right.
Which materials should a diamond drill bit be used with?
Diamond drill bits are very versatile and can be used effectively on a really impressive range of materials, including:
Glass
Diamond drill bits are great for use with almost every type of glass: sheet glass, sea glass, fused glass and glass beads are all perfect candidates for drilling with a diamond drill bit. This makes diamond drill bits popular with artists, sculptors and crafters who use glass in their work.
The only glass you shouldn’t use a diamond drill bit on is tempered glass. Drilling into tempered glass in any way will just leave you with a lot of cracks in the glass.
Stone
Even the hardest stone is no problem for a diamond drill bit. Whether you need to drill through granite, marble, pebbles or even fossils, a diamond drill bit is the way to do it efficiently and without causing damage to the stone.
Diamond drill bits can also be used for drilling through gemstones and other precious stones. Even very hard gemstones such as emeralds and opals are no match for a diamond drill bit, you will just need a bit of extra patience as it will take longer to drill through materials like these which are closer in hardness to diamond.
Ceramics
Any ceramics such as tiles, plates, pottery, porcelain and china can be safely drilled into using a diamond drill bit. If you have a decorative plate which you want to safely hang on a wall, or something you need to fix to a tiled bathroom wall, diamond drill bits are the way forward.
Animal materials
Materials derived from animals such as bone, hard shells, ivory and antlers are all appropriate materials to be drilled into using a diamond drill bit. Their hardness makes them difficult to drill into with any other type of drill bit without causing cracking or more serious damage, whereas even the hardest antlers or shells are no match for a diamond drill bit.
Very hard wood
Only the hardest types of wood are suitable for drilling with diamond drill bits. For example ebony, olive wood and walnut are hard enough that a diamond drill bit would be the best thing to use, whereas pine, cedar and fir are so soft that you would just ruin the drill bit.
Which materials should a diamond drill bit not be used with?
Diamond drill bits should not be used on soft materials such as plastics, plaster and plasterboard, metals and most types of wood. As these materials are so soft, they will just clog up the diamond on your diamond drill bit and render it useless. To drill through soft materials such as these, you’re better off using a more traditional drill bit.
If you’re not sure whether the materials in your project are suitable for drilling with a diamond drill bit feel free to get in touch with our team of experts at Wilder Abrasive for help. We’ll be more than happy to offer our advice and point you in the direction of the right drill bit for your needs.
How should you use a diamond drill bit safely?
You should always use the lowest setting on your drill when using a diamond drill bit. The slower the speed the better. If you try to go too fast you could end up causing damage to the material that you’re drilling into as well as the diamond drill bit itself, so slow and steady really does win the race here.
Similarly you shouldn’t apply too much pressure on the drill. The hardness of the diamond will do the work for you, so you don’t need to push down in the same way as you would when drilling through a softer material with a more conventional drill bit.
It can be helpful to use a small piece of masking tape over the spot where you want to drill, as it can produce a little bit of extra friction to stop the drill bit from jumping around on the surface and help anchor it more securely in place.
How long will a diamond drill bit last?
There is no one answer to this question, but as long as you take good care of it, your diamond drill bit should be fairly durable. Making sure not to apply too much pressure or speed when drilling can help to make sure you don’t snap the drill bit or wear away the layers of diamond too quickly.
Using water to lubricate the drill bit and keep it cool is a good way of extending the life of your diamond drill bits. For example, splashing a bit of water onto a tile before drilling into it can ease the process and help to keep your diamond drill bit happy. This being said, of course you need to be very careful when using water near electricity.
What are the most common problems when using a diamond drill bit?
The most common problem you might encounter when using a diamond drill bit is overheating. If you smell burning, or the drill bit feels hot to the touch, stop drilling immediately and allow the drill bit to cool down before continuing.
Overheating can be prevented by making sure not to apply too much pressure when drilling and by sticking to a low speed setting. You can also help keep your diamond drill bit cool by utilising plenty of cool water when drilling.
What’s the difference between coated and sintered diamond drill bits?
There are two main types of diamond drill bits to choose between, and these are coated or electroplated diamond drill bits, and sintered diamond drill bits. There are benefits and drawbacks to each type, depending on your needs.
Coated diamond drill bits
Coated diamond drill bits, also known as electroplated diamond drill bits, are drill bits coated with a single layer of very fine diamonds. The layer of diamond is usually bonded to the steel shaft of the drill bit using nickel.
A coated diamond drill bit is a cheaper alternative to a sintered version as there is only one layer of diamond, but this also means that once that layer is worn away the drill bit has to be replaced. The fact that they are much cheaper makes coated, or electroplated, diamond drill bits the most popular choice for one-off and smaller projects.
Sintered diamond drill bits
Sintered diamond drill bits feature several layers of diamond bonded to the shaft under very high temperatures. The multiple layers of diamond make them much longer-lasting than coated diamond drill bits with their single layer, but also more expensive.
Sintered diamond drill bits can be used again and again, they simply have to be cleaned with an aluminium oxide stone between uses to reveal a fresh layer of diamond ready for the next drilling. Their longevity makes sintered diamond drill bits the better option for people who need to drill through hard materials regularly such as stonemasons and jewellers.
What are diamond core drills?
Diamond core drills are like diamond drill bits but hollow. The fact that they are hollow allows water to swirl around inside the core drill as it drills, keeping it cooler for longer and removing debris as it appears.
Diamond core drills are not as robust as diamond drill bits as they don’t have a solid end, so are not ideal for use with extremely hard materials. The fact that they are hollow and have less surface area than diamond drill bits also means that diamond core drills usually don’t last very long. However they are great for drilling holes more quickly if you only have a few holes to drill in a substance which isn’t too hard.
What is a diamond twist drill?
A diamond twist drill is used to open up a hole that already exists, rather than to drill a completely new hole. If you need to increase the width of a hole in a hard material, a diamond twist drill can do this quickly and easily without damaging the surrounding material.
Diamond twist drills tend to have a long life expectancy because their cutting edges can stay sharp through a lot of wear and tear. When used alongside a regular diamond drill bit, a diamond twist drill could be exactly what you need to open up a larger hole in a hard surface.
What is a diamond ball burr?
A diamond ball burr isn’t designed for drilling holes, but rather for carving, engraving, shaping and sculpting. The hardness of the diamond coating allows for easy carving and indentation into even the toughest materials.
Diamond ball burrs are regularly used by jewellers, sculptors and engravers because of their precision and ability to work on almost any hard substance.
Where can you get diamond drill bits from?
You can find all the diamond drill bits you could ever need at Wilder Abrasive. You can look at our wide range of types and sizes of diamond drill bits online, and place an order to be delivered quickly to anywhere across the World.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us to discuss your needs and get expert advice on which drill bit, diamond or otherwise, is perfect for your particular requirements. We have over 30 years of experience and are more than happy to put our knowledge and expertise behind you and your project
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