How to Read Drill Bit Selection Charts

Drill bit selection charts are typically shown at the bottom of the page for each type of bit. As an example, if you are viewing a multi-purpose bit, you will first see the size options and description to find out whether the bit is a good option for your specific needs. You will then see a selection chart that shows you what materials the bit can be used on, to ensure that you do not end up using it on materials that could result in broken bits, ruined workpieces or even damage to your drill. 

Essentially, you could think of selection charts as a guide to choosing drill bits according to their specific application. If you haven’t used the bit before or you are fairly new to using drills in general, these charts will help you make your selection easily. 

Understanding Drill Bit Selection Charts

How do selection charts work, though? And what do you need to know when using them to choose the right drill bit? Let’s take a look. 

Why are selection charts important?

As we mentioned above, the main point of these charts is to help you choose the right bit for the application and material. Going back to the multi-material bit, you will need to know whether it can be used on all types of masonry and metal, as well as wood and plastics. Without this information, you may end up trying to use the bit on material that is too tough to drill. Using the wrong type of bit can lead to many problems, wasting time and money in the process. With the help of a selection chart, you can check bit compatibility instantly, without having to make any guesses. 

How do you read the chart properly?

Most charts will outline the types of material at the top, with the bit you are viewing on the side, followed by additional bits made for drilling similar materials. For a multi-material bit, there are two charts. The first shows a list of masonry types, from clay brick all the way to granite. Using this chart, you can easily see whether you can use the multi-purpose bit to drill softer brick, certain grades of concrete or harder masonry. The second list gives you a list that includes plastic as well as metals, ranging from softer metals such as aluminium to extremely hard metals such as stainless steel.

If a multi-purpose bit can’t drill the material are working with, you will see a list of bits that can be used instead. This means that you can go straight to the bit you need, without checking multiple bits to see whether they are right for your project.

What else do you need to know when choosing bits?

Along with choosing bits according to the material and application, it is also important to check the size. Ruwag product pages give you a dropdown list of sizes available for each bit. Choosing the right size bit will depend on your project. Always make sure that you choose the right size to avoid problems such as stuck bits or slipping. Doing your measurements well in advance before shopping for bits is the simplest way to get the right size bits. When in doubt, you can also get a drill bit set that includes a variety of sizes. 

Taking a few minutes to read selection charts will help you choose the best drill bits for your project, giving you the best results.