Masonry Drill damaged? Want to know the cause?
| Carbide tip is missing or loose | This is generally caused by poor brazing indicated by a lack of brazing material at the base of the tip or voids. Failure usually occurs within the first 10 to 20 holes. |
| Carbide tip fractures | Tip fractures will occur if reinforcing bars or other embodiments are struck when drilling into concrete or masonry. These failures are easily identified because both the carbide insert and the tool steel will be damaged. |
| Tip fractures may also occur if the carbide insert is out of tolerance, usually too hard. If this type of failure occurs, only the carbide tip will be fractured. | |
| Carbide tip / tool body breakage | A failure such as this indicates that the brazing may not have been strong enough to resist the differences in thermal expansion between the carbide tip and the tool steel. |
| Carbide cutting edge is worn / rounded | If the cutting edge of the carbide tip is worn more than 2/3 of it's width, the bit has reached the end of its useful life. |
| Loss of carbide / tool tip | A failure such as this indicates that the brazing may not have been strong enough to resist the differences in thermal expansion between the carbide tip and the tool steel. |
| Shaft breakage behind head | Shaft breakage may occur if there is a defect in the tool steel. This will be indicated by a notch which is evident in the fracture area. |
| Breakage may occur if the bit has been over torqued by jamming it in the hole. This is indicated by the lack of a notch and an irregular/jagged fracture are. | |
| Shaft breakage away from tool head | Shaft breakage away from the tool head may occur if there is a defect in the tool steel. This will be indicated by a notch which is evident in the fracture area. |
| Breakage in the shaft away from the head or tip area may also occur if the bit has been over torqued by jamming it in the hole. This is indicated by an irregular or jagged fracture area. No notch is apparent. | |
| Shaft breakage - clogged flutes | The bit has been used to drill trough plastic, tar, adhesive, etc., and the flutes have been clogged. This is an indication that the bit could not clear dust and chips and broke from overload. |
| Shank transition is polished | If the drill bit has been used to product holes deeper than the length of the flute, the area between the flutes and the upper shank will become polished. Dust may also be packed into the flutes. |
| Tool holder slots are worn | Wear in the tool holder area indicates that the drill motor used should be repaired or replaced. |
