Diamond Tools - How to Use Them - Magma Diamond Tools

Photographer: Frank Behrens

There are many pitfalls in using and selecting proper tool bits and blades. We are going to focus on diamond drill bits.

Diamond drill bits are necessary to drill very hard materials, such as glass, stone, glass fiber composites, concrete, ceramic, tile. However, they are not magical and will not last nor do a good job if not used properly. It is important to follow the proper procedure if you want your expensive bits to last a long time.

First you have to select the right bit. There are two major types of diamond bits: galvanoplated and sintered.

Galvanoplated bits are the cheapest kind, commonly available online. They will last from a dozen to several hundred holes depending on the type of use, material, and of course the quality of the bit. They are made by coating a steel mandrel with diamond powder, and attaching the diamond powder with a galvanically applied metal layer. The diamond powder is effectively “glued” over the mandrel. Because the layer of diamonds is thin, and only on the surface, galvanoplated bits will wear out faster than sintered, and are more fragile.

Although effective, galvanoplated diamond bits are the cheapest. Certainly, for a professional who needs such bit occasionally, or the home improver who does not see the need of owning expert grade tools, galvanoplated diamond bits are a good value.

Sintered diamond drill bits are made using a completely different technology. Sintering is a process where a powder is pressed and heated just below fusion temperature so as to form a solid, but sometimes porous, material. Sintered diamond is just that: diamond powder mixed with a base metal powder. Placed under great pressure and heat, the base metal forms a solid matrix holding the diamond in place.

As this is a solid material, not a thin layer, the amount of diamond powder available is much higher than in a galvanoplated diamond bit. Because of this, and because the diamonds are present throughout the block of sintered diamond-metal composite, as the bit wears out it exposes new, fresh diamond pieces. Instead of just losing abrasive pieces, the sintered bit literally regenerates with use, therefore lasting a much longer time. Of course, this higher more complex technology, as well as the high content of diamond, makes for a higher cost product. However, the useful life of sintered bits much more than compensates for the higher price. Sintered diamond bits can last for several thousand uses, which for professional use is important, and overall lowers the cost of tooling despite the initial higher cost.

How to properly use diamond drill bits? It is important to follow a few guidelines. Your diamond bits will last longer and work more effectively if you do.