Drilling

What is drilling for the fixings and fasteners industry?

Drilling covers both Power Tool Accessories as well as Concrete and Masonry Drill Bits covering SDS Plus and SDS Max drill accessories.

Drilling Power Tool Accessories such as driver bit inserts, nut-setters, impact sockets are common accessories used to drive screws, anchors, and other fasteners into various substrates.

Concrete and Masonry Drill Bits are an essential accessory for drilling holes in concrete, brick, block, stone and other masonry as a requirement for installing post-installed concrete anchors such as screw bolts, thru-bolts, sleeve anchors, nylon nail-ins and more. Drilling through concrete and masonry is a demanding task, hence has been a strong area of focus for product research and development. Technology advancements has resulted in the developments of various carbide drilling configurations such as 2 cutter, 3 cutter, 4 cutter, dustless drilling, rebar breakers, chisels and more.

Comprised of a drill chuck (SDS Plus or SDS Max spline options) and spiral shank (for dust extraction) and a specially designed tungsten carbide tip tasked with the impact and demolition of the concrete or masonry. Not Sure what SDS Plus and SDS Max chuck types are? SDS Plus and SDS Max represent categories of chuck systems utilized in rotary hammer drills. These systems offer a more secure and efficient means of attaching drill bits and related accessories to the drill. Originating in Germany, the SDS system acronym stands for "Steck, Dreh, Sitz," which translates to "Insert, Twist, Stay" in English.

SDS Plus, the smaller of the two systems, is commonly used in lighter and medium-duty rotary hammers. Featuring a 10 mm shank, it uses a straightforward spring-loaded mechanism to securely hold the drill bit in place.

On the other hand, SDS Max is a larger and more robust chuck system designed for high-performance rotary hammers used in demanding applications. With an 18 mm shank, SDS Max provides stronger support for larger and heavier drill bits. The SDS Max system incorporates a more advanced locking mechanism compared to SDS Plus, offering enhanced stability during heavy-duty drilling and chiselling tasks. Typically, SDS Max chucks are found in larger rotary hammers used in construction drilling and demolition applications.  

Types of Concrete and Masonry Drill Bits

SDS Plus:

The smaller of the two SDS systems using a 10mm shank system. Drill bits vary from 2 cutter, 3 cutter, 4 cutter, and 4 cutter solid head.

• Raptor 4 Cut SDS Plus (Ultimate Performance)
• Raptor 4 Cut Solid Head SDS Plus (Ultimate Performance)
• Raptor 2 Cut SDS Plus (Premium Performance)
• Heller 3 Cut Trijet SDS Plus (Premium Performance)

SDS Max:

The larger of the two SDS systems using an 18mm shank system. Drill bits vary, from a 1-piece tungsten carbide 4 cutter to a 3-piece tungsten carbide 4 cutter.

• Raptor 4 Cut SDS Max (Ultimate Performance)

Dustless Drilling:

Available in both SDS Plus and SDS Max chuck variants, Dustless drill bits Expert vacuum drill bit enables dust-free drilling by removing the dust at the point of impact (up to 3 x faster hole preparation when installing anchors). Sizes vary from 6mm all the way to 35mm.

• Heller Dustless SDS Plus (Ultimate Performance)
• Heller Dustless SDS Max (Ultimate Performance)

Rebar Breakers:

Designed to significantly extend the service life of carbide drill bits by eliminating the need for your carbide drill bit to drill through reinforcement.

• Heller Rebar Breakers SDS Plus (Premium Performance)

Chisels:

Designed to tackle a huge number of demolition tasks, chisels come in many different shapes and sizes. Available in pointed, flat, spade, rake, mortar, gouge, winged and tile chisel configurations to cater to various preferences and applications.

• Heller Enduro Chisels (Ultimate Performance)
• Heller Standard Chisels (Premium Performance) 

Common Applications for Concrete and Masonry Drill Bits or Chisels

• Drilling into concrete and masonry to install a mechanical or chemical anchor.
• Drilling into concrete and masonry to provide access or drainage.
• Chiseling concrete in order to demolish
• Chiseling tiles or other materials stuck to a surface
• Chiseling mortar, adhesive or other materials from a surface

How to use for Concrete and Masonry Drill Bits

1. Select a Suitable Rotary Hammer Drill: Begin by selecting an appropriate rotary hammer drill, ensuring compatibility between the drill type (SDS Plus or SDS Max) and the corresponding drill bits or accessories. Contrary to common belief, simply matching an SDS bit with and SDS drill still may not be suitable, emphasising the importance of checking the 'power tool weight' against the chosen drill bit size. Consult technical literature or your drill bit supplier for accurate information.
2. Establish Drill Depth: Determine the required drill depth based on anchor installation guidelines. Utilise the rotary hammer drill's depth stop or mark the drill bit accordingly, allowing extra depth for dust and debris accumulation at the hole's bottom.
3. Connect Drill Bit: Connect the drill bit using the straightforward push-lock systems of SDS Plus and SDS Max. Insert the drill bit shank into the drill chuck and release by pulling back the chuck sleeve and pulling the drill bit out.
4. Wear Personal Protective Equipment: Prioritise safety by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, including eye protection, ear protection, and a mask, given the potential hazards associated with drilling in concrete and masonry.
5. Set Up Dust Containment: Mitigate dust-related risks by setting up effective dust containment measures. Consider using a vacuum (M Class or better) during drilling or opt for ICCONS Heller Set Safe Dust Extraction drill bits for optimal on-site dust reduction.
6. Begin Drilling: Commence drilling at the designated mark: Avoid excessive pressure; let the rotary hammer drill's weight do the work. If the drills hammer action is engaged, this is sufficient pressure. This minimises unnecessary drill bit wear. Periodically withdraw the drill bit from the hole every 5-10 seconds (more frequently for smaller sizes). This allows the drill bit to cool and clears excess dust, preventing blowback and enhancing overall performance.
7. When Hitting Rebar: Reduce pressure and speed to prevent thermal overload. Unlike machine bits, drill bits lack a cutting edge, and rebar is simply punched or suppressed under high temperature. Take regular breaks to allow the bit to cool in the air, or consider using a specialised tool like the Heller Rebar Breaker (SDS Plus) to navigate through reinforcement without compromising carbide drill bit lifespan.
8. After drilling, verify the hole depth and clean it according to anchor technical specifications or application requirements. Regular checks and adherence to guidelines ensure successful and safe drilling outcomes.

Who should use Concrete and Masonry Drill Bits

• Carpenters and Builders installing anchors, fixings and fasteners
• Plumbers and Electricians installing anchors, fixings and fasteners
• Contractors installing anchors, fixings and fasteners
• DIY enthusiasts installing anchors, fixings and fasteners

Concrete and Masonry Drill Bits in Summary

ICCONS range of concrete and masonry hammer drill bits are products of ICCONS' commitment to innovation and the pursuit of delivering the highest quality construction products and accessories.

Why choose ICCONS?

• Ultimate, Premium and Standard Performance Categories: UPS offers ALL users a tailored solution.
• Unrivalled Range: Raptor SDS Plus: 2 Cutter, 4 Cutter, 4 Cutter Solid Head and SDS Max: 4 Cutter, as well as complimentary Heller SDS Plus: Trijet, Dustless Set-Safe, and Rebar Breakers. ICCONS AnchorArmour V3 Drilling has a solution for all requirements.
• Local Support: ICCONS local expert technical specialists and field engineers are always available to solve your site needs.