Masonry Drill Bits
Masonry drill bits are for punching clean holes into brick, block, stone and concrete without burning out weak bits or wasting time on site.
If you're fixing battens, running pipe clips, mounting trunking or drilling for anchors, decent masonry drill bits save you grief straight away. These are the Drill Bits trades reach for when soft sets start skidding or blunt off halfway through a wall. Match the bit to the material, the chuck, and the hole size you actually need, then get stocked up with proper drill accessories that earn their keep.
What Are Masonry Drill Bits Used For?
- Drilling fixing holes into brick and block for plugs, screws and frame fixings is the everyday work these bits are made for, whether you are hanging conduit, setting brackets or fitting timber to masonry.
- Working through old plaster into solid walls on refurb jobs is easier with the right masonry drill bits, especially when you need clean entry without the bit wandering all over the face.
- Boring repeated holes in concrete lintels, dense block and hard stone suits proper masonry drilling bits for cordless drills when you need speed without cooking the tip.
- Installing pipe clips, cable tray, trunking and exterior fixtures on first fix or second fix jobs calls for bits that keep cutting accurately instead of glazing over after a few holes.
Choosing the Right Masonry Drill Bits
Sorting the right masonry drill bits is simple: match the bit to the wall, the drill and the amount of holes you are really doing.
1. Match the Shank to the Drill
If you are using a standard cordless combi or drill driver, stick with straight shank bits. If you are drilling harder concrete all day with an SDS machine, look at SDS Bits and Attachments instead. Forcing the wrong bit into the wrong tool just slows you down.
2. Buy for the Material, Not Just the Size
If most of your work is soft brick and block, a standard masonry bit will do the job. If you are regularly into dense concrete, older engineering brick or hard stone, spend a bit more on better tipped professional drill bits or you will blunt cheap ones in no time.
3. Think About Hole Volume
If you only need the odd fixing hole, singles or small sets make sense. If you are doing repeated site work, buy masonry drill bits in the sizes you always burn through, usually the common fixing sizes, so you are not hunting through a mixed box for the one usable bit left.
4. Do Not Overlook the Rest of the Job
Masonry drill bits cover your wall fixings, but plenty of jobs need more than one cutting option. Keep HSS Drill Bits for metal and Holesaws & Accessories for larger pass-throughs, otherwise you end up abusing one bit for work it was never made to do.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Sparkies use masonry drill bits every day for clipping cable, fixing back boxes, mounting consumer units and drilling out walls for conduit runs.
- Plumbers keep a range in the case for pipe clips, boiler brackets and bathroom fixings, especially when they are in and out of blockwork and tiled masonry all day.
- Joiners and kitchen fitters swear by them for fixing battens, cabinets and trims back to brick or block without blowing out the hole and fighting loose plugs.
- General builders, maintenance teams and site fitters rely on them for snagging, bracket fixing and all the small drilling jobs that never stop on active sites.
Useful Drill Accessories for Masonry Work
A few sensible extras save wasted bits, bad holes and repeated walks back to the van.
1. Plug Gauges and Depth Stops
These stop you drilling too shallow or too deep when you are fitting repeated fixings. Handy on first fix and snagging jobs where every plug needs to seat properly first time.
2. Bit Sets in the Sizes You Actually Use
A proper site set keeps the common fixing sizes together so you are not rummaging for replacements halfway through the day. It also means you have a spare when one finally dulls off in hard brick.
3. Dust Extraction Attachments
If you are drilling indoors or in finished spaces, a dust catcher or extraction attachment cuts the mess right down. You will be grateful when you are not sweeping red dust out of a client's hallway for half an hour.
Choose the Right Masonry Drill Bits for the Job
Use this quick guide to sort the right bit type for the wall in front of you.
| Your Job | Masonry Drill Bit Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Fixing clips and brackets into soft brick or block | Standard straight shank masonry bits | Fits cordless drills and combis, common plug sizes, good for everyday site drilling |
| Repeated drilling into dense brick and older hard walls | Tungsten tipped masonry bits | Better wear resistance, cleaner starts, holds its edge longer under regular trade use |
| Fast anchor holes in concrete and structural masonry | SDS masonry bits | Made for rotary hammers, quicker waste removal, better progress in hard materials |
| Mixed snagging and maintenance work | Mixed size masonry bit sets | Covers the sizes you reach for most, easier van stock, fewer missing bits on site |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying cheap mixed sets for daily trade use usually means the common sizes dull first and the rest never get touched. If you drill masonry every week, buy better bits in the sizes you actually use.
- Using standard straight shank masonry bits for heavy concrete drilling is a good way to waste time and overwork the drill. For regular hard material work, step up to the right SDS setup.
- Running too much speed and too much pressure overheats the tip and polishes the hole instead of cutting it. Let the bit work and back off if the wall is fighting you.
- Drilling the wrong hole size for the fixing leaves plugs spinning or fixings loose. Check the plug and screw spec before you start, not after the bracket is already hanging crooked.
- Trying to use one bit across brick, steel and timber just trashes it. Keep your masonry bits separate from other Power Tool Accessories so the right cutter goes into the right material.
Straight Shank vs SDS vs Multi Material
Straight Shank Masonry Bits
These are the everyday choice for cordless drills and combis when you are fixing into brick, block and lighter masonry. Best for general site work and van stock, but slower in hard concrete than SDS options.
SDS Masonry Bits
If you are drilling harder concrete, larger diameters or repeated anchor holes, SDS bits are the proper route. They cut quicker and clear dust better, but they need the right hammer drill and are overkill for small snagging jobs.
Multi Material Bits
Handy when you are moving through tile, wood, metal and masonry in one install and do not want to keep changing bits. They are versatile, but for repeated masonry drilling a dedicated masonry bit will usually last longer and work faster.
Maintenance and Care
Clear Dust After Use
Brush off brick and concrete dust after the job instead of chucking bits back in the box filthy. Packed dust holds moisture and knocks the cutting edges about in transit.
Keep Sizes Separated
Store masonry drill bits in a case or rail so the tips are not smashing into each other. Loose bits rolling round the van do not stay sharp for long.
Replace Worn Tips Early
If a bit starts squealing, skating or taking far too long to bite, it is usually done. Carrying on just overheats the bit, punishes the drill and leaves poor holes.
Use the Right Drill Mode
Hammer mode helps masonry bits cut properly in brick and block, while the wrong setting can slow progress and glaze the tip. Always match the drill setup to the material.
Why Shop for Masonry Drill Bits at ITS?
Whether you need single replacements, mixed sets, common fixing sizes or harder-wearing bits for regular site work, we stock the full range of masonry drill bits and drill accessories in one place. It is all in our own warehouse, ready for next day delivery, so you can buy masonry drill bits online UK and get straight back on the job.
Masonry Drill Bits FAQs
What are masonry drill bits used for?
Masonry drill bits are used for drilling into brick, block, stone and concrete for plugs, screws, anchors and general fixings. They are the bits you want for mounting brackets, clipping pipework, fitting trunking or fixing timber back to solid walls without wrecking standard bits.
How do I choose the right masonry drill bits?
Start with the material and the drill you are using. For general brick and block with a cordless combi, straight shank masonry bits are usually right. If you are regularly into dense concrete, tougher bits or an SDS setup make more sense. Also buy the sizes that match your usual fixings instead of relying on random mixed sets.
Which masonry drill bits are best for trade drilling?
For trade drilling, the best masonry drill bits are the ones that suit the material and stand up to repeated use. Good tungsten tipped bits are the usual choice for everyday brick and block work. If you are hammering through concrete all week, move to SDS types instead of forcing standard bits to do a bigger job than they are built for.
Can masonry drill bits be used with cordless drills?
Yes, plenty of masonry drill bits are made for cordless drills, especially straight shank bits used in combi drills and drill drivers with hammer mode. They are ideal for common fixing holes in brick and block. Just be realistic, because very hard concrete and repeated heavy drilling will still suit an SDS hammer better.
Can I buy masonry drill bits online from ITS?
Yes, you can buy masonry drill bits online from ITS with sizes, sets and site-ready options all in one place. We stock the range in our own warehouse, so if you need replacements quickly you can order today and get next day delivery.
Do masonry drill bits work in old hard brick, or just modern block?
Yes, they will work in old hard brick, but not all bits will last the same. Softer, cheaper bits can lose their edge fast in dense older walls. If you are regularly on refurb work, it is worth stepping up to better quality bits and taking the time to start the hole cleanly.
Why do my masonry drill bits keep going blunt so quickly?
Usually it is one of three things: the wall is harder than the bit is suited for, the drill is running too fast, or too much pressure is being forced through the tip. Let the bit cut, clear dust often and use the right bit type for the job. If you are into concrete all day, standard bits will not last like SDS ones.
