Diamond core bits, also known as diamond drill bits, are the perfect tools to use when drilling holes through hard materials. These hard materials include stones, rocks, porcelain, tiles, and even some hardwoods. They get their extra drilling prowess from the pieces of diamond powder that manufacturers embed in them. They are very useful when drilling a hole through hard materials. However, it is not ideal for picking it up and start using it. You need knowledge, as even skilled professionals handle it with utmost care. It is the idea behind this article to expose you to facts about diamond drill bits.
Table of Contents
Facts About Diamond Core Bits
1. What they are Useful for:
Since diamond is the hardest material, it is easy to see why diamond core bits are perfect for drilling jobs. To do a good job with the diamond drill bits, it is good to know the materials they apply to. Use diamond core bits on stone, rocks, granite, marble, tile, porcelain, slate, etc.
There are diamond core bits for metal and wood; they, however, have different teeth. They don’t work well for the materials listed above because the tips do not bite into the materials. Manufacturers design diamond core bits differently. However, it is important to know they all have diamond tips that grind through really hard materials.
This is one of the pieces of information you must possess to get the best from diamond drill bits. Match the diamond core bit with the material you want to drill.
Figure 2: Large size Diamond core bits for drilling concrete
2. Diamond Core Bits Styles:
There are two basic styles of diamond drill bits; blunt nose bits and core drill bits. It defines the shapes and sizes of the diamond drill bits.
Blunt Nose Bits have solid tips. There are diamonds on the tip and both sides of the tip. This style of diamond core bit is useful when you want to drill a complete hole that is the tip’s size. However, this style of diamond core bits is hollow at the tip. The diamonds are embedded along the tip’s edge to the tip’s sides.
Since the blunt nose bits are useful for drilling out a complete hole, they are only good for smaller holes. It is why they are not primarily made of extremely hard materials like stones or marble.
However, the second style of diamond drill bit, Core bits, grind, or drill a circle in materials with the tip’s edge instead of the tip’s full diameter. It is why the hole they drill is just the size of the tips. Unlike blunt nose bits, core drill bits can only drill out a large portion of the hole in materials. It allows it to drill at a faster speed than blunt nose bits. Core drill bits are useful for drilling large holes and extremely hard materials like stones, rocks, marbles, etc.
Figure 3: A style of diamond core bits with a coating
3. Types of Diamond Bond:
There are two types of diamond core bits according to the diamond bond they have; Bonded and Sintered. Bonded diamond drill bits are the type with the diamond bonded to the edge of the tip. It is usually through a bonding process like electroplating. This type of diamond core bit is relatively slow and inexpensive.
During drilling, the bonded diamonds usually wear off the drill bits. It is due to the hardness and abrasive resistance of the material you are drilling and the presence of just one layer. So after they wear out, you have to replace them with new drill bits. Manufacturers do not recommend it for metal, concrete, or masonry drilling. To work well, they need proper speed and adequate lubrication with water.
Sintered diamond core bits are the types that have their diamond embedded directly in the steel tip. Therefore, new diamonds resurface during drilling as the metal tip wears off. It is because they have a lot of layers of diamonds on the tip.
This type is good for drilling hard materials that bonded diamond core bits could not drill. They are high-speed and have a longer lifespan. However, they are expensive, especially if you are on a budget. Cleaning is usually done with aluminum oxide rock before and after use. It helps to expose a new diamond layer.
4. Lubrication:
Use water or coolant to lubricate the tip of the diamond core bits and keep them in good condition. This process reduces the heat that builds up during drilling operations. It directly increases the diamond drill bit’s lifespan and prevents heat fracture in the material you are drilling.
Since it works well and is pretty free, water is usually used as a lubricant. However, when you use water, all it does is cool your drill beats but yield poor lubrication, use synthetic mineral oil instead.
Good lubrication is important. When drilling hard materials, it is essential to have a lot of lubricants. It shows why it is useful to drill underwater or have a constant source of water constantly running over the drill bits. Understanding the techniques to lubricate your diamond drill bit can extend its functionality and lifespan.
There are several techniques, but the most popular and effective one is; the Hose method; this is the simplest one you can use to lubricate your diamond core bits with water. You only need a simple hose to run water down to the bits. It prevents it from overheating, which could damage it.
The spray bottle method; is similar to the hose method. All you need is a spray bottle to help maintain your diamond core bits’ optimum temperature. However, it is not as straightforward as the hose method. It requires the service of two people to be effective. One person sprays the water while the other operates the drill bits. This method is good when drilling a vertical hole. Since the hose method can not be put to use here. Though popular, it is the least effective of the lubrication techniques.
No matter the technique you decide to use. Ensure that you prevent the tip of the diamond core bits from overheating. Also, ensure that the lubricant is touching all the surfaces of the diamond drill bits.
5. Lifespan:
The lifespan of the diamond core bits depends entirely on several factors. These factors include the hardness, thickness, and abrasive quality of the material you are drilling. The speed and pressure you use during drilling also affect the lifespan. When drilling hard materials, it is advisable to do so slowly. To increase the lifespan of the diamond drill bits, take note of the Drill Speed and Pressure.
When you properly use the diamond drill bits, it does not overheat. It might be due to improper speed and pressure for a specific material if this happens. The speed you should use with diamond core bits depends on the type. The bonded diamond core bit is best used at a relatively low speed. It’s important to decrease the speed as the hardness and abrasive quality of the material increase.
As with the drill speed, drill pressure is also important to the lifespan of the diamond drill bits. When working on softer materials, you can increase the pressure. Increasing the pressure makes the diamond core bits move faster. It affects less the heat or friction that builds up in the bits. When the material is harder, you must reduce the pressure and allow the core bits to move at their speed. Increasing the pressure does not increase the speed. It instead increases the friction noticeably and causes the overheating of the bits. This simple guideline considerably increases the lifespan of the diamond drill bits.
Look out for physical signs to know if you are using the diamond core bit wrong. These signs include yellow, brown, or black burn marks around the tip. It shows the diamond drill bit is overheating due to excess drill speed and pressure. The lifespan of diamond core bits varies according to the type of material you are cutting, lubrication drilling speed, and pressure.
Figure 4: A man checking the diamond core bits for damages
These are vital facts to know about the diamond drill bit. Knowing all these makes using your diamond core bits easy. It also ensures you know the dos and don’ts. With this knowledge comes the power to extend the lifespan of your diamond drill bits.
Figure 5: An electrician drilling a reinforced conc6
Conclusion
The diamond core bits are an important tool for drilling. When you understand these facts and handle them properly, you have a great tool to drill. It is important to point out that diamond core bits are not without problems. However, you can prevent these problems by avoiding the application of too much speed, pressure, and inadequate water. Apply low to mid pressure and allow it to move at its speed. Then lubricate well.
For your quality diamond drill bits, we at NCcuttingTools, have extensive experience in providing them to meet your expectations. We use our advanced technology to provide scientific innovations by creating the right diamond saw bits for your drilling. Contact us at https://www.nccuttingtools.com for more information and to do business together.
