Granite Drill Bits And Glass Drill Bits: 7 Things You Should Know

FACTS CHECKED BY  NICOLE PAV 

Before starting to drill holes into our materials with granite and glass drill bits, you must do proper research. These researches allow you to gather information about the tool you should get. In the instance of granite drill bits and glass drill bits, it is clear which is suitable for a particular operation from its name.

To help make the acquisition of this information easy, we made this article. At the end of this article, you will know all there is about granite and glass drill bits.

Table of Contents

An image of a granite drill bits
Figure 1: An image of a granite drill bits

an image showing glass drill bits
Figure 2: an image showing glass drill bits

7 things you should know

1. Their Bond Type:

The first thing to know about granite drill bits vs. glass drill bits is their diamond bond time. Two types of diamond bonds for diamond drill bits; electroplated and sintered. Granite drill bits have a sintered type of diamond bond. The manufacturers mix the diamonds with softer metals. During drilling operations, these diamond wears out. Upon wearing out, a new layer of diamond resurfaces to keep the granite drill bits suitable for further cutting. Glass drill bits, on the other hand, have an electroplated diamond bond. The manufacturers do the electroplating by mixing the diamonds into the stainless steel surface. But using a nickel bonding material, the diamond is just on the surface and does not have an extra layer, unlike the granite drill bits. Granite drill bits do not cut as fast as glass ones, but they can cut deeper with a longer lifespan.

2. Versatility:

When you have granite and glass drills, you should know how versatile they are. Based on the composition of each tool, they have a varying degree to which they can drill materials. With the material composition of the glass drill bits, you can drill granite with it. However, with an electroplated diamond bond type, it wears out quickly. You might not go beyond drilling the first hole before the glass drill bits become useless. Meanwhile, the granite drill bits have greater versatility. The sintered diamond bond type can drill a hole into a glass without losing its touch, as in the case of glass drill bits. However, these holes might have rough edges. The only way around this is by smoothing and polishing the holes. So with this, it is clear that though the granite drill bits do not work perfectly, they have greater versatility compared to

glass drill bits.

Glass drill bits in action
Figure 3: Glass drill bits in action

3. Tip Style:

Another important thing to know about the granite and the glass drill bit is their tip. They both have different tip formats because of the ways they drill through their specific materials. Though the tips of both tools can be a diamond tip or metal tip, they have a different model. The granite drill bits it has a flat diamond tip. The tip is suitable for chiseling away part of the material instead of just cutting through it. This hard property of the granite drill bits tip makes it suitable for granite and other hard materials. For the glass drill bits, the diamond tip of the tool is sharper and more pointed. It works perfectly for drilling through glasses and could get a better result if drilling through the glass from both sides. Due to the pointed tip of the glass drill bits, it is advisable to support the pane of the glass with a wooden slap during drilling. However, it must be clear that with the constant advancement of technology, glass drill bits have had flat tips too.

4. Their Shape:

One thing must come to mind when you see granite drill bits vs. glass drill bits. Like the diamond drill bits, they are hollow in shape. This hollow shape results from embedding diamonds in them to make it drill through hard materials. Due to the heat that occurs during drilling, the granite and glass drill bits are hollow in shape. The hollow shape makes fluids (water essentially) pump through the drill bits. The reason for this shape is not hard to explain. Diamond drill bits tools geometrically look like a cylinder with the cutting part surrounding the disc.

Image showing hollow shapes of drill bits
Figure 4: Image showing hollow shapes of drill bits

5. Overheating:

You are doing too much during the drilling operation if you get a burning smell. It is another area where granite drill bits vs. glass drill bits are similar. Speed is important when drilling with these two tools. When using these tools, they should not feel warm when you touch them; talk hotter. It would be best if you backed off when you feel them, and they feel hot. When you start drilling, ensure that you start at the lowest speed. By starting slowly, you steadily increase the speed. With a high speed, you risk overheating your granite drill bits vs. glass drill bits. Especially in the case of the glass drill bits, the glass you are drilling could crack. The long-term consequence is that the drill bits get duller quickly and have a shorter lifespan than normal. However, when you compare the speed at which you should operate these tools. The glass drill bits should be used at a low speed, while the granite drill bits should do their work at a slower speed. This span from the rule, which says the harder the material, the lower the drill speed of the bits should be. The hardness and abrasive quality of the granite or glass affect the drilling speed. If you want to avoid overheating or any problems while cutting, operate your drill bits under low speed and pressure. Water is important because it has an evaporating effect as it cools.

6. Hardness Ratio:

The hardness ratio of drill bits is the relative hardness of the drill bits to the material you want to drill. In this case, the hardness ratio of the granite drill bits is to granite, while the hardness ratio of the glass is to glass. This ratio means how many times the drill bit is as hard as the material. This ratio also varies according to the type of drill bits. Carbide granite drill bits have a different hardness ratio to granite than that diamond drill bits. With this information, let’s get to the facts. The hardness ratio of diamond granite drill bits to granite is 12 to 1. That of carbide granite drill bits to granite is 3 to 1. Also, the hardness ratio of the diamond glass drill bits to glass is 22 to 1. At the same time, that of carbide glass drill bits is 6 to 1. Don’t forget that diamond is also four times harder than carbide. It is clear why diamond drill bits are the best go-to tool for granite drill bits vs. glass drill bits.

glass drill bits drilling an opaque glass
Figure 5: glass drill bits drilling an opaque glass

7. Lifespan and Cost:

As we pointed out in the previous session, the lifespan of all drill bits depends on the hardness, abrasive quality, and thickness of the material you are drilling. It is why lubrication, drilling speed, and pressure are all important. This factor varies significantly for both the granite drill bits and the glass drill bit. It is why it is not easy to predict their lifespan. However, we can estimate. The granite drill bits being Sintered diamond drill bits can drill 8 to 60 holes on ⅜ thick granite/material. The glass drill bits electroplated can drill 200 to 300 holes in ⅛ thick glass.

This estimate is from extensive testing that used proper drilling speed, pressure, and adequate lubrication. So if you are expecting a similar result, you should consider the same condition. However, when you subject the granite drill bit and glass drill bit to the same condition, the granite drill bit has a longer lifespan of two. Regarding cost, the granite drill bit is more expensive than glass drill bits. It is because they have a sintered diamond bond type that lasts longer.

There is no clear winner between the granite and glass drill bit. It is not a competition article. It is merely a descriptive article that explains the two types of drill bits and the important thing you should know about them. They are both powerful tools when put to use on the recommendation material and coupling it with drill skills.

Conclusion

Using the correct drill bits is a significant step when drilling any materials. It is so that the hole drilling can be fast and easy. It is where the granite and glass drill bit are different. Though they are diamond drill bits, they drill different materials with different efficiency. This efficiency allows you to enjoy premium drilling using them according to the manufacturers’ recommendations.

Luckily for you, NCcuttingTools has extensive experience in providing granite and glass drill bits to meet your expectations. We use our advanced technology to provide scientific innovations by creating the right drilling bits for your materials. Contact us at https://www.nccuttingtools.com for more information and to do business together.

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