Drilling Complete Guide: Drill Types, Bits, Accessories & Techniques

Drilling forms one of the most fundamental operations in construction, fabrication, and assembly work. At Rock Bottom Northampton, we stock nearly 4,900 drilling products from leading manufacturers including IRWIN, DeWALT, Faithfull, and Draper. Based in Northampton NN4 7BF, we supply professional tradespeople and serious DIYers with comprehensive drilling solutions for every material and application.

This guide examines drill types, bit selection, accessories, and techniques that deliver accurate, efficient drilling results. With brands like IRWIN providing 790 drilling products, DeWALT offering 759 items, and Faithfull contributing 697 products to our range, you'll find the right drilling equipment for applications from delicate electronics work to heavy structural drilling.

Understanding Drill Types and Their Applications

Different drill types serve distinct purposes, and selecting appropriate drills ensures efficiency and results quality. Power output, speed range, and chuck capacity all influence what applications a drill can handle effectively.

Combi Drills and Hammer Drills

Combi drills combine rotation with hammer action, allowing drilling in masonry, wood, and metal with a single tool. The hammer function impacts the drill bit rapidly while rotating, breaking up masonry as it drills. For occasional masonry drilling alongside regular wood and metal work, combi drills offer excellent versatility without requiring multiple specialized tools.

Cordless combi drills dominate modern tool collections through their convenience and improving performance. Battery technology advances mean 18V cordless drills now handle tasks that previously demanded corded tools, while 12V compact models serve lighter applications with reduced weight and bulk. DeWALT leads our cordless drill range with over 750 products covering all power levels and applications.

SDS Drills for Heavy Masonry

SDS (Special Direct System) drills deliver far greater impact force than standard combi drills, essential for regular masonry drilling or large diameter holes in concrete. The SDS chuck system allows quick bit changes without tightening, while the drill mechanism generates more powerful hammer action through a pneumatic system.

SDS Plus represents the standard for rotary hammers handling drilling up to 30mm in concrete. SDS Max serves heavy-duty applications with larger hole diameters and demolition work. These drills tackle tasks impossible for standard drills—core drilling through thick concrete, breaking out tile, or drilling dozens of fixing holes in dense materials.

Impact Drivers

While primarily designed for driving screws and bolts, impact drivers also drill when fitted with hex shank drill bits. Their rotational impacts deliver exceptional torque in compact, lightweight packages. For driving long screws into timber or drilling pilot holes, impact drivers work faster with less user fatigue than standard drills.

Drill Presses and Pillar Drills

Stationary drilling machines provide precision impossible with handheld drills. Drill presses maintain perfect perpendicularity for accurate holes, with adjustable speed and depth stops for repeatable results. Essential for metalworking, precision woodwork, and any application requiring multiple identical holes.

Drill Bit Types and Materials

Drill bits represent consumable components where quality dramatically affects both results and bit longevity. We stock over 3,500 drill bits covering all common materials plus specialist applications.

Metal Drill Bits

High-speed steel (HSS) drill bits serve general metalworking, offering good performance across mild steel, aluminum, and other common metals. HSS-R (rolled) bits suit light-duty drilling, while HSS-G (ground) bits provide better accuracy and life through precision grinding. Cobalt bits (HSS-Co) include cobalt alloy increasing hardness and heat resistance, valuable for drilling stainless steel and other difficult materials.

Dormer and Starrett specialize in professional metalworking drill bits, with comprehensive ranges including stub length bits for restricted spaces, jobber length for general use, and long series for deep hole drilling. Their bits maintain sharpness longer and drill more accurately than budget alternatives. We stock 365 Dormer bits and 301 Starrett products covering all metalworking drilling requirements.

Wood Drill Bits

Brad point bits feature center spurs that prevent walking when starting holes, with outer cutters that score clean holes through wood grain. Suitable for all woodworking applications where clean, accurate holes matter. Lip and spur bits provide similar benefits with slightly different geometry.

Flat bits (spade bits) drill large diameter holes quickly and cheaply, though surface finish proves rougher than other bit types. Forstner bits create flat-bottomed holes with clean walls, ideal for hinge recesses and concealed fixings. Auger bits feature aggressive threads pulling them through timber for deep holes with minimal effort.

Masonry Drill Bits

Tungsten carbide tips provide the hardness needed to drill brick, block, and concrete. Standard masonry bits suit occasional use in soft to medium masonry. For regular drilling or hard materials, SDS Plus bits deliver superior performance and life. The SDS system's hammer action works far more effectively than standard chuck drills when drilling masonry.

Holesaws and Large Diameter Cutting

We stock over 750 holesaws and accessories for cutting large diameter holes in wood, metal, and plastics. Bi-metal holesaws combine HSS cutting edges with flexible steel bodies, resisting tooth stripping and body cracking. Carbide-grit holesaws tackle tile, glass, and other abrasive materials that would destroy standard holesaws quickly.

Variable pitch tooth patterns reduce vibration and improve cutting in thin materials. Quick-change arbors speed changing between holesaw sizes during installations requiring multiple hole diameters. IRWIN provides 790 drilling products in our range including comprehensive holesaw selections.

Specialist Drill Bits and Cutting Tools

Step Bits and Unibit Cutters

Step bits drill multiple diameters with a single bit, incrementing in steps from small pilot holes to final size. Electricians and sheet metal workers value these bits for drilling progressively larger holes without changing bits. They also prevent drill breakout and produce cleaner holes than standard bits in thin materials.

Countersink Bits

Countersink bits create conical recesses allowing screw heads to sit flush with or below surfaces. Available in various angles matching different screw head designs. Combination drills incorporate pilot drill and countersink in one tool for one-pass operations drilling and countersinking simultaneously.

Plug Cutters and Dowel Bits

Plug cutters create cylindrical wood plugs matching grain and color for concealing screw heads in quality joinery. Dowel drill bits ensure accurate holes for dowel joints, often including depth stops for consistent hole depth. Self-centering dowel jigs guide bits for perfect alignment between mating pieces.

Drilling Accessories and Support Equipment

Drill Chucks and Adaptors

Keyless chucks allow bit changes without chuck keys, speeding work and eliminating lost keys. However, keyed chucks sometimes grip more securely, particularly valuable for large bits or demanding applications. Chuck adaptors allow using SDS bits in standard drills (with reduced performance) or hex shank bits in keyed chucks.

Drill Guides and Jigs

Portable drill guides ensure perpendicular holes without drill presses. Doweling jigs align holes precisely for strong, accurate dowel joints. Pocket hole jigs create angled holes for concealed screw joints popular in cabinetmaking and furniture assembly.

Drilling Techniques for Different Materials

Metal Drilling

Metal drilling requires proper speed selection—larger bits demand slower speeds to prevent overheating and maintain cutting edge sharpness. Use cutting fluid to reduce friction and heat, extending bit life dramatically. Center punch starting locations preventing bit walking. For through holes in thick metal, drill pilot holes before final size drilling—this reduces cutting forces and improves accuracy.

Masonry Drilling

Always use hammer action when drilling masonry—rotation only grinds rather than drills, destroying bits quickly. Clear dust frequently by withdrawing the bit periodically, as packed dust prevents cutting. For deep holes, drill in stages rather than attempting full depth in one pass. Mark depth on bits using tape or depth stops ensuring consistent hole depth.

Wood Drilling

Wood drilling generally requires high speeds and sharp bits for clean results. Support work piece backs when drilling through to prevent breakout on exit sides. For large diameter holes, drill pilot holes first guiding larger bits accurately. When drilling angled holes, start perpendicular then tilt to final angle once the bit establishes its position.

Why Buy Drilling Equipment from Rock Bottom Northampton

We stock nearly 4,900 drilling products from leading manufacturers including IRWIN (790 products), DeWALT (759 items), Faithfull (697 products), Draper (510 items), Dormer (365 bits), and Starrett (301 products). This comprehensive range covers drills, drill bits, holesaws, accessories, and specialist drilling equipment for professional applications.

Our competitive pricing makes quality drilling equipment accessible without compromising performance or safety. Trade professionals benefit from bulk purchase options on consumable items like drill bits and holesaws. Free click and collect service provides immediate availability when projects cannot wait for delivery.

Expert advice helps you select appropriate drilling solutions for specific applications. Our staff understand drilling techniques, bit selection, and proper equipment use. We can recommend suitable products and explain proper techniques ensuring successful drilling results.

Shop Drilling Products at Rock Bottom Northampton

Visit our Queensbridge showroom in Northampton NN4 7BF to see our drilling equipment range and discuss your requirements with knowledgeable staff. We can advise on drill selection, bit types, and accessories appropriate for your specific applications.

For construction firms and maintenance contractors requiring regular drilling supplies, contact us about trade pricing and account options. We supply drilling equipment and consumables to professionals across Northampton and surrounding areas.

Contact Rock Bottom Northampton

Rock Bottom Northampton Ltd
Artisans' House
7 Queensbridge
Northampton
NN4 7BF

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday & Bank Holidays: Closed

Phone: 01604 720272
Email: sales@rockbottomnorthampton.co.uk
Web: www.rockbottomnorthampton.co.uk

From basic drill bits to professional SDS drilling systems, Rock Bottom Northampton provides the drilling equipment that delivers accurate, efficient results. Quality products at competitive prices, with expert advice supporting successful drilling operations.