6 Tips for Choosing a Granite Drill Bit for Your Project

FACTS CHECKED BY  NICOLE PAV 

The granite drill bit is one of the indispensable tools in the diamond manufacturing industry. Also, if you specialize in drilling granite, one crucial aspect of your drilling you can’t overlook is your choice of a granite drill bit. In this same vein, this article will unravel some vital tips regarding selecting your bit or bits for drilling granite.

These tips span the different granite levels, the two significant types of drilling, the long-term and speed factor, and the manufacturers you should look to for quality drill bits.

Table of Contents

Different granite slabs
Figure 1 – Different granite slabs

1. Understand that there are different types of granite

We won’t be concerned with the colors as we will analyze the different granite grades. Granites come in three categories –

• Low-Grade Granite

Level 1: This is a commercial grade or builder’s grade granite. This type of granite is usually thinner, about 3/8 inch. Builders use it for remodeling and building apartments as it features a simple design.

In this regard, you can conveniently use an electroplated (nickel-bonded) diamond core drill, as most of your work will involve simple drilling. Plus, the granite is usually thin, which allows you to drill it seamlessly.

• Mid-Grade Granite

Level 2: The mid-grade granite is a more expensive material than level 1. Plus, you can only import it from Brazil or India. It comes with a ¾-inch thickness.

Due to the costly nature of this granite grade, we advise you to use a sintered (metal bonded) diamond core drill, as you may want a nice finish. The sintered (metal-bonded) diamond core drill functions well in this regard.

• Top-Grade Granite

Level 3+: This granite level has more than three levels hence the “+” sign. They usually go up to seven levels if you want to use them as countertops.

The grade 3+ granite features a more exquisite design and color. You can also cut them into ¾ inch slabs. Plus, interior builders use them to design Aqua kitchens and numerous bath designs.

Similar to the level 2 grade, a sintered (metal-bonded) diamond core drill will equally play a significant role here; why? Well, the sintered diamond core drill gives an excellent finish with minimal material loss.

Level 3+ granite is a high-priced material in the granite market, and as such, you can afford a maximum waste of it.

Knowing the grade

level of granite you’re dealing with helps you select a compatible granite core drill bit. It would be best if you also understood that the surfaces of these granite levels differ in smoothness. The Level 3+ comes with a more smoothened surface.

2. Never use an oversized core bit.

It isn’t enough to select a diamond core drill for your granite project; you should also be wary of the hole size you’re looking to drill. Projects feature different hole sizes, which should influence your drill bit selection.

Choosing an oversized drill bit can adversely affect your project, and we suppose you don’t want that.

In this same vein, you should also check the specifications of the granite drill bit you’re looking to purchase, as this will give you an idea of the hole sizes the drill can make.

A heavy-duty drill bit
Figure 2 – A heavy-duty drill bit

3. There are two different types of granite drilling.

You can drill granite slabs using two primary methods. These two significant methods are dry coring and wet coring. Both systems come with their distinct advantages and disadvantages, and we will be discussing them –

Drilling through a granite rock
Figure 3 – Drilling through a granite rock

Dry coring

Dry coring is when you drill a hole without water in the drilling process. It is faster; however, it threatens the bit as the drill might generate enough heat and cause it to melt.

It also jeopardizes the granite drilling project as the granite slab surface might crack from too much friction. This drilling process can drill holes in granite, countertops, and tiles.

• Wet coring

In wet coring, you use water in the drilling process. Water keeps the temperature of the granite surface and your granite core drill a bit chilly and invariably lessens the risk of any damage.

This drilling method takes more time, and you must take care of a messy workspace. However, you get to safeguard your tool and granite material.

In this regard, endeavor to go for diamond core drills with coolants or ensure that your drill bit is water-friendly.

4. Drill bits are best used only for granite drilling projects.

If you are a granite drilling specialist, you will need a granite drill bit that can serve you for a long. There are several drill bits in the market space.

However, we advise that you purchase diamond core drill bits as they tend to be the most durable core bits out there. Plus, diamond happens to be the most challenging material on earth.

Furthermore, it would be best if you had a drill bit that could match the energy from your RPM; a less-powerful drill bit might not do the job.

Drilling a granite rock with a metal core drill bit
Figure 4 – Drilling a granite rock with a metal core drill bit

For your granite drill bit to last, we advise that you use it for your granite drilling projects alone, as using it to drill other materials might wear it out faster, and it may not wear evenly.

What does this mean? Using one drill bit to train different materials causes the drill bit to wear unequally, which can jeopardize whatever drilling project you are working on.

However, if you use it for a particular material, it is highly likely that your drill bit will wear equally, allowing it to remain useful for a long time.

5. The speed factors

Speed has always been a significant factor in drilling, and masons tend to select HSS (High Speed-Steel) tools for their projects.

But when it comes to granite drilling, you should choose a tool that balances speed and efficiency. As we stated earlier, too much speed can cause friction, which can invariably ruin your project.

A drill bit in fast motion
Figure 5 – A drill bit in fast motion

Also, you should select the granite core drill bits that match the RPM of whatever driller you want. HSS drills tend to break when the friction becomes too much, which isn’t good as it makes them less durable.

Diamond core drill bits are strong enough to match the RPM of most drilling machines. In this regard, we recommend purchasing diamond core drill bits as they match most speed levels.

6. Whether it needs finishing

If you’re looking to drill granite, then one aspect you should take seriously is the finishing. This finishing also influences your choice of a drill bit.

Builders use granites to design and build many wares ranging from kitchen slabs, floor and wall tiles, bathtubs, and the like. Some granite core drills finish products very nicely. Some drill bits don’t core drill bits don’t have this feature; why?

Diamond core drills come in different shapes and sizes, as you can use them to drill holes for various purposes. These purposes range from wiring, drilling for water, pipe installation, and the like.

So, if you are training your granite material for any of these purposes, you can afford to pay less attention to the finishing.

However, if you want a smooth finish, you should choose the right core drill bit, which would invariably give you an excellent finish.

NC Cutting Tools are your go-to manufacturer if you want to purchase diamond drill bits that give smooth finishes.

Frequently asked questions

There are numerous questions masons or handypersons might have, and we will be reviewing some of them –

1. What are the available granite drill bits?

Several granite drill bits are available in the market, ranging from auger drill bits, corkscrew drill bits, spade-like drill bits, and the like. You can use these drill bits for different drilling purposes.

Depending on your granite project and what you’re looking to achieve, you can pick from the available selection in the market. You will find a variety of core drill bits for granite at NCCutting Tools.

2. Can I use a granite drill bit on other materials?

Granite drill bits are usually strong, so you can use them on other hard materials. However, using your granite drill bits on other materials tends to make the drill bits wear quickly.

We advise that you use a particular drill bit for your granite drilling project, as this will make it durable.

3. Where can I get the best granite drill bit?

There are numerous granite drill bits available in the market. However, we recommend you get your granite drill bits from NCCutting Tools, a reputable manufacturing diamond tool company.

You can look them up on Google and check out some of the reviews and testimonies from their customers.

Final thoughts

By now, you should know the factors to consider when selecting or purchasing a granite drill bit for your project. These tips would go a long way to ensure you don’t make mistakes when purchasing granite drill bits.

We also recommend purchasing your granite core drill bits and other diamond-cutting tools from NCCutting Tools, as they have a reputation for top-notch manufacturing tools.

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