Drilling success depends on using the right drill bit for your material. Whether you’re working with wood, metal, concrete, or specialty materials like titanium or ceramics, having the correct drill bit ensures precision, efficiency, and safety. Below, we’ve categorized drill bits by the materials they can effectively drill through, helping you find the perfect tool for every project.
Why Choose the Right Drill Bit?
Using the right drill bit ensures:
- Precision: Clean, accurate holes.
- Efficiency: Faster drilling with less effort.
- Durability: Longer drill bit life.
- Safety: Reduced risk of damaging the material or tools.
Shop Drill Bits by Material at DrillBitsBarn.com
Explore our extensive selection of drill bits categorized by material. From wood and plastic to titanium and masonry, we have the tools you need for every project.
Abrasive Materials
When working with abrasive materials, you need drill bits that resist wear and tear. Diamond-tipped and carbide-tipped drill bits are perfect for cutting through materials like sandpaper, grinding wheels, or highly abrasive surfaces. These bits provide longevity and consistent performance.
Agglomerate
Agglomerate, made from compressed stone or concrete, requires diamond drill bits for clean, precise holes. These drill bits prevent cracking and ensure smooth cuts, making them ideal for construction and renovation projects.
Alloys
Drilling through alloys such as nickel, chrome, or non-ferrous metals is easy with high-speed steel (HSS) or cobalt drill bits. These bits are heat-resistant and perfect for both light and heavy-duty applications.
Aluminum
Aluminum and aluminum castings are soft metals that require high-speed steel (HSS) or titanium-coated drill bits for clean, burr-free holes. These bits prevent clogging and ensure efficient drilling.
Asphalt
For asphalt surfaces, masonry drill bits with carbide tips or diamond core bits are your go-to tools. Designed for durability, these bits handle asphalt’s abrasive nature with ease.
Block
Drill into concrete blocks with masonry drill bits that feature carbide tips. These bits ensure quick, clean holes without chipping or cracking the material.
Brass
Soft metals like brass require HSS drill bits or titanium-coated drill bits. These bits prevent deformation and deliver smooth, precise results in decorative and industrial applications.
Brick
Brickwork requires masonry drill bits with durable carbide tips. These bits easily handle the hardness and abrasiveness of bricks, making them perfect for construction and repair projects.
Bridgework
Bridgework drilling demands heavy-duty carbide-tipped drill bits or cobalt drill bits. Designed for industrial use, these bits are perfect for structural steel and reinforced materials.
Broken Bolts
Removing broken bolts requires extractor drill bits designed to grip and remove the damaged bolt without damaging the surrounding material. These bits are ideal for automotive and machinery repair.
Broken Screws
For broken screws, use screw extractor bits with reverse threading to efficiently remove screws without stripping or damaging the surface. Perfect for woodworking, furniture repair, and general maintenance.
Broken Studs
Broken studs demand heavy-duty extractor drill bits that can handle tough materials. These bits are specifically designed to remove studs in automotive engines and industrial equipment.
Broken Taps
Removing broken taps requires carbide-tipped extractor bits or diamond drill bits for precise removal without damaging the threaded hole. Ideal for manufacturing and machining applications.
Broken Weldments
For broken weldments, use specialized extractor bits or carbide-tipped drill bits to drill through and remove the weld material efficiently. These tools are perfect for structural repair and fabrication projects.
Bronze
Drilling through bronze requires HSS or cobalt drill bits, ensuring clean cuts without overheating. These bits are perfect for crafting and industrial applications.
Cast Iron & Castings
Cast iron and castings demand cobalt drill bits or carbide-tipped bits to handle their hardness and brittleness. These bits provide clean, precise holes without cracking the material.
Cement
Cement drilling is best done with masonry drill bits or diamond drill bits. These bits are designed to handle the abrasive nature of cement and ensure smooth, accurate holes.
Ceramics & Ceramic Tiles
For ceramics and ceramic tiles, diamond-tipped drill bits or carbide-tipped drill bits are essential. These bits prevent chipping and cracking, ensuring professional-quality results.
Chrome Alloys
Drilling through chrome alloys requires cobalt drill bits that can withstand high temperatures and tough materials. These bits are ideal for automotive and industrial applications.
Cobalt
For cobalt or cobalt-based materials, carbide drill bits offer superior performance and durability. They are perfect for aerospace, automotive, and industrial projects.
Composites
Drill clean holes in composites with carbide-tipped drill bits or diamond bits. These bits handle the layered construction of composites without splintering or delamination.
Concrete
Concrete requires masonry drill bits with carbide tips or diamond-tipped bits for precise and clean holes. These bits are perfect for drilling into walls, floors, or concrete surfaces for construction, renovation, and anchoring projects.
Concrete Screws
Installing concrete screws requires masonry drill bits specifically sized for pre-drilling holes. These bits ensure the exact fit needed for secure and stable screw anchoring into concrete surfaces.
Copper
Copper is a soft metal that requires high-speed steel (HSS) or titanium-coated drill bits for clean and efficient drilling. These bits prevent burrs and ensure smooth, precise holes, making them ideal for plumbing, electrical work, and crafts.
Copper Alloys
Copper alloys, such as brass or bronze, are best drilled with HSS or cobalt drill bits. These bits offer durability and heat resistance, ensuring clean cuts without deforming the material. Perfect for industrial and decorative applications.
Diamond Drilling
For precision drilling through extremely hard materials, diamond drill bits are unmatched. Perfect for glass, stone, and reinforced concrete, these bits provide clean, accurate holes.
Dry Cutting
Dry cutting applications require dry-cut diamond drill bits, which are designed to perform without the need for water cooling. These bits excel in heat resistance and cutting efficiency.
Drywall
Soft materials like drywall and plaster require twist drill bits or spade bits for fast, clean holes without crumbling.
Ductile Irons
For ductile irons, carbide drill bits or cobalt drill bits are perfect for handling their strength and durability while maintaining precision.
Fiberglass
Drilling fiberglass requires carbide-tipped drill bits or diamond bits. These bits prevent splintering and ensure smooth, clean cuts.
Glass
Glass drilling is best done with diamond-tipped drill bits, which provide precision and prevent cracks or chips in delicate surfaces.
Glazed Terrazzo
Drilling into glazed terrazzo requires diamond-tipped drill bits for precision and smooth cuts. These bits prevent cracking or chipping of the glazed surface, making them ideal for flooring, countertops, and decorative installations.
Granite
For granite surfaces, diamond drill bits offer the durability and precision needed to drill clean holes through this tough material.
Hard Plastics
rilling hard plastics requires twist drill bits or step drill bits specifically designed to prevent cracking, melting, or deformation. These bits deliver clean, precise holes, making them perfect for use in PVC, acrylic, polycarbonate, and other durable plastic materials.
Hard Rubber
Drilling into hard rubber requires carbide-tipped drill bits or twist drill bits with sharp cutting edges to prevent tearing or distortion. These bits ensure clean, precise holes, making them ideal for industrial, automotive, and custom rubber applications.
Hard Tiles
Drilling into hard tiles, such as porcelain or ceramic, requires diamond-tipped drill bits or carbide-tipped bits. These bits provide precise, smooth holes without cracking or chipping, making them ideal for bathroom walls, kitchen backsplashes, and flooring projects.
Hardened Materials
Drilling hardened materials requires carbide-tipped drill bits or cobalt drill bits, designed to handle extreme hardness and heat resistance. These bits are ideal for industrial applications, heavy-duty machinery, and projects involving tough metals like tool steel or hardened alloys.
Hardened Steels
Drilling into hardened steels demands cobalt drill bits or carbide-tipped bits for superior strength and heat resistance. These bits are specifically engineered to cut through tough, heat-treated steel surfaces, making them perfect for industrial machinery, automotive parts, and construction applications.
Heavy Duty Applications
For demanding tasks, carbide drill bits or cobalt bits are ideal for withstanding heat and pressure without compromising performance.
High Silicon Aluminum
Drilling high silicon aluminum requires carbide-tipped drill bits or cobalt drill bits to handle its abrasive and heat-resistant properties. These bits ensure precise, clean cuts without clogging, making them ideal for automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications involving aluminum alloys.
High Temperature Alloys
Drilling high-temperature alloys, such as Inconel or Hastelloy, requires cobalt drill bits or carbide-tipped drill bits that can withstand extreme heat and maintain cutting precision. These bits are ideal for aerospace, power generation, and industrial applications involving heat-resistant metals.
Inconel
Drilling Inconel requires cobalt drill bits or carbide-tipped drill bits specifically designed for high-strength, heat-resistant materials. These bits offer durability and precision, making them ideal for aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications involving this tough nickel-based alloy.
Low Alloy Steel
Drilling low alloy steel requires cobalt drill bits or high-speed steel (HSS) drill bits with heat-resistant coatings. These bits provide clean, precise cuts and are perfect for industrial fabrication, construction, and automotive projects involving low-strength alloyed steels.
Marble
Drilling into marble requires diamond-tipped drill bits for smooth, precise holes without cracking or chipping. These bits are ideal for creating openings in countertops, tiles, and decorative stone surfaces, ensuring professional-quality results for construction and renovation projects.
Metal
Drilling into metal requires high-speed steel (HSS), cobalt, or titanium-coated drill bits for clean and precise results. These bits are ideal for a wide range of metals, including steel, aluminum, and brass, and are perfect for construction, automotive, and fabrication projects.
Nickel Alloys
Drilling nickel alloys requires cobalt drill bits or carbide-tipped drill bits, designed to handle their toughness and heat resistance. These bits ensure precise, clean cuts and are ideal for aerospace, chemical processing, and high-performance industrial applications.
Non-Ferrous Alloys
Drilling non-ferrous alloys, such as aluminum, brass, and copper, requires high-speed steel (HSS) or titanium-coated drill bits. These bits provide smooth, burr-free holes and are perfect for electrical work, plumbing, and decorative applications.
Non-Ferrous Materials
Drilling non-ferrous alloys, such as aluminum, brass, and copper, requires high-speed steel (HSS) or titanium-coated drill bits. These bits provide smooth, burr-free holes and are perfect for electrical work, plumbing, and decorative applications.
Plaster
Drilling into plaster requires masonry drill bits or twist drill bits designed for soft, brittle materials. These bits create clean holes without causing excessive crumbling, making them ideal for installing fixtures or running cables in walls and ceilings.
Plastic
Drilling into plastic requires twist drill bits or step drill bits, which are designed to prevent cracking, melting, or deformation. These bits ensure smooth, precise holes, making them ideal for use in PVC, acrylic, polycarbonate, and other plastic materials commonly used in DIY, plumbing, and manufacturing projects.
Plastic Conduit
Drilling into plastic conduit requires step drill bits or twist drill bits designed to cut smoothly through the material without cracking or deforming it. These bits are ideal for creating precise holes in conduit for electrical wiring and custom installations.
Plexiglass
Drilling into Plexiglass requires acrylic-specific drill bits, twist drill bits, or step drill bits designed to prevent cracking or chipping. These bits provide clean, smooth holes, making them ideal for DIY projects, signage, and protective barrier installations.
Porcelain
Drilling into porcelain requires diamond-tipped drill bits or carbide-tipped drill bits designed for hard and brittle materials. These bits ensure precise, smooth holes without cracking or chipping, making them perfect for bathroom tiles, kitchen backsplashes, and other decorative installations.
PVC
Drilling into PVC requires twist drill bits or step drill bits, which provide clean, smooth holes without cracking or melting the material. These bits are perfect for plumbing, electrical conduit, and DIY projects involving PVC pipes or sheets.
Quarry
Drilling into quarry materials, such as natural stone or aggregates, requires diamond-tipped drill bits or carbide-tipped masonry bits. These bits deliver precise, clean holes while handling the hardness and abrasiveness of quarry stone, making them ideal for construction and landscaping projects.
Rebar
Drilling into rebar requires carbide-tipped drill bits or masonry drill bits designed to cut through reinforced concrete and steel. For tougher applications, rotary hammer drill bits with a rebar cutter attachment ensure precise and efficient drilling, ideal for construction and structural reinforcement projects.
Shallow Hole Drilling
Shallow hole drilling is best performed with twist drill bits or spade bits, depending on the material. These bits are designed for quick, clean cuts in wood, plastic, or soft metals, making them ideal for projects like cabinetry, electrical installations, and surface-level fastenings.
Stainless Steel
Drilling stainless steel requires cobalt drill bits or carbide-tipped drill bits that can withstand the hardness and heat generated during the process. These bits provide clean, precise holes and are ideal for industrial, construction, and automotive applications involving this corrosion-resistant material.
Stone
Drilling into stone requires diamond-tipped drill bits or carbide-tipped masonry bits designed to handle the hardness and density of natural stone. These bits ensure precise, clean holes, making them ideal for construction, landscaping, and decorative applications involving granite, marble, or other stone materials.
Terracotta
Drilling into terracotta requires carbide-tipped drill bits or diamond-tipped drill bits, which provide clean and precise holes without cracking this brittle material. These bits are ideal for applications such as pottery, tiles, and decorative installations.
Thin Sheet Metal
Drilling into thin sheet metal is best done with step drill bits or twist drill bits, designed to prevent deformation and ensure clean, precise holes. These bits are ideal for applications in HVAC, automotive work, and lightweight metal fabrication projects.
Tile
Drilling into tile requires diamond-tipped drill bits or carbide-tipped drill bits for smooth, precise holes without cracking or chipping. These bits are perfect for ceramic, porcelain, and other hard tiles, making them ideal for bathroom walls, kitchen backsplashes, and flooring projects.
Titanium
Drilling into titanium requires cobalt drill bits or carbide-tipped drill bits, which are designed to withstand high heat and handle this tough, lightweight material. These bits ensure precise, clean holes, making them ideal for aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications.
Wood
Drilling into wood requires spade bits, auger bits, or brad-point drill bits, designed for clean, precise holes without splintering. These bits are perfect for woodworking, carpentry, furniture making, and DIY projects involving softwoods, hardwoods, or plywood.