Which Drill Bit for Which Material? Complete UK Reference Guide
Choosing the right drill bit isn’t just about the drill—it’s about what you’re drilling into. The same drill bit that excels in soft wood will dull quickly in stainless steel, fail entirely in reinforced concrete, and shatter if you try ceramic tiles with the wrong technique.
This comprehensive reference guide covers 11 common materials, explains which bit type to use for each, and includes recommended products with Amazon UK affiliate links. Whether you’re a DIYer tackling a first project or a professional estimating material costs, you’ll find the answers here.
Bit Types Explained: Which Design for What?
HSS (High Speed Steel)
General-purpose steel alloy. Cuts wood, plastic, soft metals. Affordable, widely available, but dulls in hard or abrasive materials. Best for: wood, soft plastic, aluminium, brass, copper. Not suitable for: concrete, stone, stainless steel (dulls too quickly).
HSS-Co (Cobalt-Infused HSS)
HSS with cobalt added for hardness and heat resistance. Lasts longer than standard HSS, especially in tough metals. Best for: stainless steel, cast iron, hardened alloys. Slightly more expensive than HSS. A good middle-ground for mixed-material drilling.
HSS-TiN (Titanium Nitride Coated)
HSS with gold-coloured titanium coating for hardness. Reduces friction, runs cooler, lasts longer. Best for: general-purpose use in metals. Good for: wood, plastic, softer metals. Costs more than standard HSS but typically justified by durability.
TCT (Tungsten Carbide Tipped)
Steel body with tungsten carbide tip. Extremely hard, lasts much longer than HSS in abrasive materials. Best for: wood with nails, chipboard, MDF (very abrasive), plasterboard, brickwork. Not ideal for: metal (can shatter). Expensive but economical over time.
Masonry Bits (SDS & Standard Shank)
Carbide-tipped design for concrete and stone. Available in standard chuck and SDS-Plus/SDS-Max shanks. SDS masonry bits for rotary hammers are essential for efficient percussion drilling. Best for: concrete, reinforced concrete, brick, stone. Speed: Slow rotation + hammer action (SDS) or slow rotation (standard).
Diamond Core Bits
Diamond-encrusted cylindrical bit. Grinds rather than cuts. Essential for tile, glass, and hard stone. Requires water cooling. Best for: ceramic, porcelain, natural stone (granite, marble), glass. Slower but produces clean holes with minimal chipping.
Brad Point Bits
Sharp centre point with two cutting edges. Designed for precision wood drilling. Produces clean holes without tear-out. Best for: hardwood, softwood, plywood. Not suitable for: metal, plastic.
Spade/Flat Bits
Large, flat blade with point. Fast for large-diameter holes in wood. Budget option. Best for: quick large holes in softwood (electrical conduit, plumbing runs). Not precise; prone to tear-out.
Forstner Bits
Produces perfectly flat-bottomed holes with minimal tear-out. Premium option for woodworking. Best for: furniture-grade work, hardwood, plywood for clean holes. Cost: £5–15 per bit. Slower than spade bits but results are worth it.
Auger Bits
Spiral-fluted design for efficient chip removal. Excellent for very deep holes in wood. Best for: boring into wood rafters, posts, deep structural holes. Requires hand drill or low-speed power drill.
Step/Cone Bits
Multiple stepped diameters on one bit. Drills many hole sizes with one tool. Best for: sheet metal, plastic, aluminium. Slow speed required to prevent binding.
Hole Saws
Cylindrical cutter with teeth. For large-diameter holes (16–100mm). Available in standard and TCT versions. Best for: wood, plastic, soft metals (standard); brick, concrete, tile (TCT). Require pilot bits to guide the saw.
Quick Reference Table: Material & Recommended Bit
| Material | Best Bit Type | Speed (RPM) | Typical Diameter | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Softwood | Brad point / HSS | 1000–2000 | 2–12mm | Clean entry/exit; use clamps |
| Hardwood | Brad point / HSS-TiN | 500–1200 | 2–10mm | Slow speed prevents splintering; backing board essential |
| MDF / Chipboard | TCT | 1200–1800 | 3–16mm | Abrasive material; HSS dulls instantly |
| Mild Steel | HSS / HSS-TiN | 400–800 | 2–13mm | Cutting fluid essential; use centre punch |
| Stainless Steel | HSS-Co | 200–400 | 2–8mm | Very slow speed; copious cutting fluid; hard on bits |
| Aluminium | HSS / HSS-TiN | 1200–2000 | 2–16mm | Chips wrap; clear frequently; lower speed prevents binding |
| Brick | Masonry / SDS | 800–1200 | 4–16mm | Use side handle; SDS much faster; dusty |
| Concrete | SDS Masonry | Rotary + percussion | 6–32mm | SDS rotary hammer essential; reinforced concrete hits rebar |
| Ceramic Tile | Diamond core | 400–600 | 6–35mm | Water cooling essential; slow speed; light pressure |
| Glass | Diamond core / Spear | 300–500 | 3–16mm | Water essential; very slow speed; light pressure; use tape |
| Plastic | HSS / HSS-TiN | 1000–2000 | 2–13mm | Lower speed prevents melting; backing board for tear-out |
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Mistake: One Bit Type for All Materials
Buying a “universal” bit set and expecting it to excel everywhere is false economy. The right bit for MDF (TCT) will shatter in metal. HSS designed for steel dulls instantly in chipboard. Invest in appropriate bits for your common materials.
Mistake: Ignoring Speed Settings
Modern cordless drills often have 2-speed gearboxes (typically 0–600 RPM and 400–1200 RPM or similar). Use low speed for metal and masonry, high speed for wood and plastic. Drilling stainless steel at full cordless speed will dull a standard HSS bit in seconds.
Mistake: Skipping Coolant or Lubrication
WD-40 or cutting fluid costs pennies and extends bit life dramatically in metal. Water in ceramic drilling costs nothing and prevents shattering. No excuse to skip this step.
Mistake: Not Using a Centre Punch
Metal and tile drilling benefit hugely from centre punch—it locates the bit and prevents walking. Takes 10 seconds, prevents wasted bits and bad holes.
Mistake: Using Dull Bits
A dull bit is a false economy. It requires more pressure, generates more heat, and dulls faster. Sharp bits are safer and faster. Sharpen or replace regularly.
Recommended Multi-Material Bit Sets (Amazon UK)
DeWalt Mixed Material Bit Set (18-piece)
HSS and masonry bits in one set. Good for DIYers doing occasional work across wood, metal, and light masonry. £15–25.
Makita Multi-Purpose Bit Set (13-piece)
Covers HSS for metal, wooden bits, masonry. Professional quality. £20–35.
Bosch Speed Multi-Material Set (16-piece)
Titanium-coated HSS plus masonry. Reliable across applications. £18–28.
Silverline Assorted Drill Bit Set (50-piece)
Budget option covering wood, metal, masonry. Good for varied home projects. £12–18.
Investment Recommendations for Different User Types
Occasional DIYer
Buy a multi-material set (15–20 pieces, £15–25) covering wood, metal, and masonry. Add specific bits as projects demand. Masonry bits and spade bits round out a basic set.
Home Furniture / Woodworking
Invest in quality brad point bits (£20–40 for sets) and Forstner bits for specific holes. HSS-TiN for metal hardware. Skip masonry bits unless mounting shelves to walls.
Kitchen / Bathroom Fitter
Diamond core tile bits (£15–30 each), masonry bits, TCT for MDF cabinet sides, HSS-Co for stainless hardware. Wet drill or spray system essential. Budget £100–150 for a solid starter kit.
General Contractor / Tradesperson
SDS rotary hammer (£100–300) with SDS-Plus bits (£20–50 per bit), full HSS range, masonry bits, TCT sets, HSS-Co for stainless. Budget £300–500 for comprehensive tooling. Invest in SDS hammer first—it’s the biggest time saver.
Next Steps
Now that you understand which bit for which material, check our SDS-Plus vs SDS-Max guide if you’re considering percussion drilling, or browse brand-specific guides (Makita, DeWalt, Bosch, etc.) for tool-specific recommendations and compatible bits.