What Are All the Types of Percussion Drill Bits & What Are They Used For?

How Percussion Drills Work

• Unlike a regular drill, a percussion drill hammers the drill bit back and forth while it spins. These short, powerful motions help bit penetrate hard materials more easily and with greater precision than a regular drill. Percussion drills are therefore commonly used when you have to drill a hole in brick, concrete or other masonry-like substance.

Round Shank Bits

• A round shank percussion drill bit uses a smooth, rounded connector to attach to the drill. Retailers commonly refer to this kind of chuck as a "3-jawed" or "Jacobs" style. When the bit is set in the drill chuck, a twisting motion at the head of the drill will slowly clamp the three "jaws" onto the bit.

Spline Shank Bits

• The spline shank uses a toothed, gear-like connector at the end of the bit. This type of bit allows for a more powerful rotational force to be applied without the possibility of having the bit come loose.

Hammer Core Bits

• Hammer core bits and drills operating the same as a regular percussion drill, except they are hollow throughout the middle of the bit. This type of drill operates similarly to a hole saw, with the teeth arranged in a circle. Hammer cores are often used in applications where a larger hole is needed, or where the material removed must be returned afterwards.

Non-Percussion Masonry Bits

• Even without a percussion drill, you can still work with masonry by purchasing a carbide-reinforced masonry bit. This kind of bit is flared at the front, to reduce dust, and is made of a hardened material to resist damage while drilling into hard materials.

Matching Bits to Anchors

• Many bits promise to create a precise match with a particular brand of concrete or masonry anchor that they make. These types of pairing are useful, as the precise tolerance and the drill bit and matching teeth on the anchor ensure a maximum hold when mounting something on a concrete wall. These relationship are very brand-specific.