Frequently asked questions about the Drills category
Drills — what are they and which materials are they for?
Drills are cutting tools for making round holes; the Drills category includes concrete drills, metal drills, wood drills, tile/glass drills and specialty types (SDS+, Forstner, HSS cobalt). Choose a drill by material, diameter and shank/type (SDS+, straight or hex shank).
Which drills are suitable for concrete and what's the difference between SDS+ and regular?
Concrete uses carbide-tipped masonry drills (e.g. HELLER SDS+ and standard concrete drills 14–16 mm). SDS+ shanks fit rotary‑hammer chucks and transfer hammer blows better for efficient drilling; regular round/straight shanks are for hammer drills with a standard chuck.
Which drills to choose for metal and what are HSS and cobalt drills?
Use HSS (High Speed Steel) or cobalt drills for metal; HSS is good for steels and softer alloys, while cobalt drills (≈5–8% Co) resist heat and wear and are better for stainless steel and harder alloys.
Which drills are better for wood — twist or Forstner?
Twist drills are fine for general wood holes, while Forstner bits (e.g. Forstner 18×460) create clean flat‑bottomed holes with precise edges, ideal for hinge mortises and countersinks.
Which drills are used for tile and glass?
Use diamond or carbide‑tipped drills for tile and glass (e.g. D6 MM KLAAS+KERAAMIKA, CERAMIC MASTER 3.0×75). Drill at low speed with coolant to prevent chipping.
What do sizes like 14x200/260 or 22x400/450 mean?
The first number is diameter in mm (e.g. 14 or 22 mm); the following numbers are working/overall length (e.g. 200/260 mm = working/total length). They determine hole depth and tool compatibility.
How do HELLER Allmat, Ceramic Master and SDS+ drills differ?
HELLER Allmat is a multipurpose drill for various materials (Allmat 12×220). Ceramic Master is optimized for ceramics/tiles (3.0×75, 6.0×75). SDS+ refers to the shank type for rotary‑hammers for drilling concrete/brick.
Which drills are suitable for stainless steel?
Use cobalt or specialty HSS drills for stainless steel (e.g. SPECIALIST LONG HSS 12.0×115/175, COBALT). Drill at low speed with coolant/lubricant and pilot holes when needed.
What are Forstner bits for wood and what are they used for?
Forstner bits are flat‑bottom bits with a centre spur (e.g. Forstner 18×460) that produce clean flat‑bottom or cup‑shaped holes. They’re used for hinge cups, precise mortises and neat countersinks in furniture work.
How to choose drill diameter and length for a specific job?
Choose diameter to match the desired hole (e.g. 6 mm for a 6 mm plug). Length is given as working/overall (e.g. 200/260 mm); pick a working length that provides the required hole depth and allows secure chucking.