Tools

How to Choose the Right Drill Bit for Every Material

Q: Can I use a wood drill bit on metal?

No. Wood bits have a sharp brad point designed to grip soft fibres. On metal, the point wanders and the cutting edges are wrong geometry. Use an HSS (High Speed Steel) bit for metal — it handles the heat and hardness that wood bits cannot.

Q: What drill bit do I need for brick and concrete?

Use a masonry bit with a carbide tip. Pair it with a hammer drill — the percussion action chips away the aggregate while the bit cuts. Standard masonry bits work for brick and block; for reinforced concrete, step up to SDS Plus bits in a rotary hammer.

Q: How do I drill through ceramic tiles without cracking them?

Use a diamond-tipped or carbide-tipped tile bit. Start at low speed with no hammer action, keep the area wet with a damp cloth, and do not push hard — let the bit do the work. Masking tape over the drill spot helps prevent slipping.

Q: What is the difference between HSS and cobalt drill bits?

HSS (High Speed Steel) bits handle most metals at a reasonable price. Cobalt bits (usually 5% cobalt alloy) are harder and more heat-resistant, making them better for stainless steel and other tough alloys. For mild steel and aluminium, HSS is fine. For stainless, go cobalt.

Q: Do I need different drill bits for different hole sizes?

Yes and no. Each bit drills one size, so you need the right diameter bit for your hole. But you can drill a small pilot hole first (3-4mm) then open it up with the final size — this gives a cleaner result, especially in wood and metal.

Q: What drill bit is best for drilling into glass?

A diamond-tipped or carbide-tipped glass bit at very low speed. Keep the area flooded with water to prevent overheating, use no hammer action, and apply minimal pressure. Cracked glass usually means too much speed or pressure.

By Alex Chen · August 31, 2026

🔑 Key Takeaways

Match the bit to the material. HSS for metal, carbide-tip for masonry, brad-point for wood. Using the wrong bit damages the material and dulls the bit fast.
Start with a pilot hole. drill a 3-4mm hole first, then open to final size. This prevents wandering and gives cleaner results in wood, metal, and tile.
Speed matters more than pressure. metal needs slow speed, wood can handle medium, tile and glass need the lowest setting. Pushing hard is the most common beginner mistake.
A mixed set covers 90% of jobs. the Bosch MS4041 41-Piece Set includes HSS, masonry, wood and driving bits in one case.

Picking the wrong drill bit is the fastest way to ruin a project. You burn through wood, crack a tile, or snap a bit inside a piece of metal. and then you are at Screwfix at 9pm buying a replacement. The fix is simple: match the bit to the material before you start.

This guide covers the six materials most UK makers drill into. wood, metal, masonry, ceramic, glass, and plastic. with the right bit type, speed setting, and a few tricks that save time and prevent damage.

Wood: Use a Brad-Point or Auger Bit

Wood is the most forgiving material to drill, but the bit still matters. A brad-point bit has a sharp central spike that locates the hole exactly where you mark it. The cutting edges slice clean fibres with minimal tear-out on the surface. For holes up to 13mm, brad-point is your go-to.

For larger holes (13mm+), switch to an auger bit. the screw thread pulls the bit through the wood without you having to push hard. Spade bits work for rough holes where appearance does not matter, like running cables through a stud wall.

Speed: Medium to high. Wood handles speed well. Keep the drill straight and let the bit do the work. pushing at an angle causes the bit to wander.

Tip: Clamp the wood down. A spinning bit catches loose timber and spins it into your hand. Every experienced maker has a scar from this. Good clamps cost less than an A&E visit.

Metal: HSS or Cobalt Bits

Metal requires a bit that can handle heat. HSS (High Speed Steel) bits are the standard for mild steel, aluminium, and brass. They stay sharp longer than basic carbon steel and handle the friction heat that builds up when drilling metal.

For stainless steel or hardened alloys, step up to cobalt bits. usually 5% cobalt alloy. They are harder and more heat-resistant than standard HSS. The Sealey AK4702 Cobalt Set covers the sizes most home workshops need.

Speed: Slow. Very slow. Metal drilling at high speed overheats the bit and work-hardens the surface. Use cutting oil for anything over 6mm diameter. it extends bit life dramatically and gives a cleaner hole.

Tip: Always centre-punch metal before drilling. The punch mark gives the bit a starting point so it does not skate across the surface. A 5mm centre-punch mark is enough.

📦 Recommended: Sealey AK4702 Cobalt Drill Bit Set (25pc). handles stainless steel and hard metals. Paired with Action Can CT-90 Cutting Fluid, you get clean holes in tough materials without burning through bits.

Masonry: Carbide-Tip Bits with Hammer Action

Brick, concrete block, and rendered walls all need a masonry bit with a carbide tip. The tip is wider than the shaft, which chips away the aggregate while the flutes clear dust from the hole. Pair it with a hammer drill. the percussive action does most of the work.

Standard masonry bits handle brick and block fine. For reinforced concrete or engineering brick, you need SDS Plus bits in a rotary hammer. the SDS chuck lets the bit move back and forth, adding impact force that standard chucks cannot deliver.

Speed: Low to medium with hammer mode on. Let the hammer do the work. pushing hard just overheats the bit. Pull the bit out every few seconds to clear dust from the hole.

Tip: Vacuum the dust out of the hole before inserting a wall plug. Dust in the hole weakens the plug grip by up to 50%.

Ceramic and Glass: Diamond or Carbide Tips, No Hammer

Tile, ceramic, and glass are brittle. they crack if you are rough. Use a diamond-tipped or carbide-tipped tile bit with no hammer action. The bit grinds through the glaze rather than cutting it.

Cover the drill area with masking tape to stop the bit wandering. Place a damp cloth around the hole to catch dust and keep the bit cool. Drill at the lowest speed your drill offers. under 500 RPM. Do not push. Let the weight of the drill provide pressure.

For glass, a diamond-tipped bit gives the cleanest result. For ceramic tiles, a carbide spear-point bit works well and costs less. The YG8 Tungsten Masonry Set includes bits that handle both ceramic and light masonry.

Speed: Lowest setting. No hammer. Keep it wet.

Plastic: HSS with Reduced Speed

Plastic melts if you drill too fast. Use a standard HSS bit at low to medium speed. The heat from friction softens the plastic around the hole, which can grab the bit and crack the workpiece.

Back the material with a piece of scrap wood to prevent blowout on the exit side. For acrylic (Perspex), drill a small pilot hole first and step up gradually. acrylic cracks easily if you go straight to the final size.

Speed: Low to medium. If you see plastic melting or smoking, you are going too fast.

Quick Decision Cheat Sheet

Keep this in mind when you reach for a bit:

Wood → brad-point or auger, medium-high speed, clamp the workpiece
Mild steel / aluminium → HSS, slow speed, cutting oil for 6mm+
Stainless steel → cobalt, very slow speed, centre-punch first
Brick / block → masonry carbide-tip, hammer mode, clear dust regularly
Concrete → SDS Plus masonry bit, rotary hammer, low speed
Ceramic tile → carbide tile bit, no hammer, keep wet, masking tape
Glass → diamond tip, lowest speed, flood with water
Plastic → HSS, low speed, back with scrap wood

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a wood drill bit on metal?

What drill bit do I need for brick and concrete?

How do I drill through ceramic tiles without cracking them?

What is the difference between HSS and cobalt drill bits?

Do I need different drill bits for different hole sizes?

What drill bit is best for drilling into glass?

Final Verdict

Drill bits are cheap. Damaged materials and snapped bits are not. Spend 30 seconds matching the bit to your material before you start and you will save time, money, and frustration on every project.

If you own one set, make it the Bosch MS4041 41-Piece Mixed Set. it covers HSS, masonry, wood, and driving bits in a single case. Add the Sealey Cobalt Set when you start working with stainless steel, and keep a carbide tile bit in the drawer for the next time you drill into a bathroom wall.

For more drill bit advice, see our complete guide to drill bit types and our roundup of the best drill bit sets in the UK.

Alex Chen

Alex writes about tools, tech and DIY projects for MakerUK. from home servers to 3D printers. He has a fully equipped workshop and has been building and repairing things for over 12 years.

Disclosure: MakerUK is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps us keep providing free, independent advice. We never accept paid placements or sponsored reviews. Read our full affiliate disclosure.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Last reviewed: August 31, 2026 · Evidence-based content · Contains affiliate links