Why You Should be Using Dustless Drill Bits as a Construction Worker

This blog highlights the benefits of dustless drill bits, such as improved visibility, enhanced tool performance, time and cost savings, and compliance with safety regulations. It recommends proper personal protective equipment, a HEPA filter vacuum, a Bluetooth-enabled drill, and SDS-plus or SDS-max dustless drill bits.

Explore the Ultimate Dustless Tool kit for a comprehensive setup and the XDust Drills range for high-quality, dust-free drilling.

If you’re dealing with concrete, you’ll need a proper drill bit. SDS Drill bits are the ideal choice for anyone working with stone but they aren’t without their issues. For one, a standard SDS drill bits tends to create a tremendous amount of dust - from fine dust to respirable crystalline silica.

This dust is likely high in silica and long-term exposure can cause serious health problems. Luckily, there are new options out there to help workers mitigate their exposure, avoid dust, and prevent dust in the first place.

What Bits are Best for SDS Drills?

There is not a straightforward answer to this as these tools have a wide range of applications and the best bit will vary from job to job. However, there are several factors to consider when choosing any SDS drill bit.

The biggest thing to consider is the application. How big of a hole do you need? What material are you drilling into? Is there a risk of silica dust exposure? Once you know exactly what you need, you can start looking at some key features.

Material

SDS drill bits are subjected to heat and forces far beyond normal drill bits. For his reason, simple steel is rarely strong enough. The best choice for material is easily tungsten carbide. Tungsten carbide SDS drill bits are nearly twice as hard as steel and are far more efficient at shedding heat. The material is also amazing at retaining a sharp edge, allowing for a smoother finish.

Another common material is titanium carbide. While this metal is even harder than tungsten carbide, it is less efficient at shedding heat which can cause the bit to wear out significantly faster.

Tip Design

concrete bits have different tips based on the job they're meant to do. One of the major considerations when choosing a bit is whether the tip is welded or inserted. But what's the difference?

Generally speaking, welded tips are better suited for material removal due to the flutes being closer to the tip. Inserted bits tend to keep their edge longer, but are often best used on softer materials as they typically create more dust which means more cleaning and brushing out the hole.

Flute Design

Flutes run up the of the bit to channel dust away from the cutting end and prevent a hole from becoming clogged. Both the length and the number of flutes can have significant impacts on a drill bit’s performance.

Overall, the more flutes a drill bit has, the faster material will be removed from the hole. However, having either too many or too few can cause problems. Bits with 3 or 4 flutes are typically the best choice for drilling into concrete and masonry.

Reduce Dust When Drilling with Dustless SDS Drill Bits

Also known as hollow drill bits, dustless drill bits are one of the newest tools available to concrete construction workers. These drill bits represent a modern solution to the age-old problem of concrete dust clogging drill holes.  The vacuum draws the dust past the bit, leaving behind clean, clear holes. Especially useful in chemical anchoring, dustless drill bits eliminate the need to blow out and brush holes before using chemical anchors.

These revolutionary drill bits use a vacuum system to quickly, efficiently, and cleanly draw dust away from the bit as you’re drilling. This is essential for the health and safety of workers, especially when silica dust is of concern.

Silica dust is commonly released from concrete materials when they are being worked on and these fine particles make their way into the respiratory system where they can have catastrophic health outcomes. Dustless drill bits help control and extract this harmful dust before it becomes airborne.

Benefits of Dustless Drill Bits

Obviously, increased workplace health via dust control is the largest benefit of dustless SDS drill bits, but it’s hardly the only one.

Improved Visibility

When drilling into concrete materials, dust obstructing the view often makes it difficult to maintain accuracy. By removing much of the dust, these drill bits provide better visibility of the drilling area. With dustless SDS drill bits, operators can see the drilling point clearly, allowing for more precise work and reducing the likelihood of errors.

Enhanced Tool Performance

Dust accumulation leads to decreased tool performance and reduced lifespan. The collected dust causes friction, heat build-up, and clogging, resulting in slower drilling speeds and potentially damaging the bit. Dustless SDS drill bits help prevent these issues, allowing for more efficient drilling and prolonging the bit’s lifespan.

Time and Cost Savings

When using dustless SDS drill bits, less time must be spent on post-drilling cleanup. Since the dust is extracted during the drilling process, there is minimal residue left behind. This saves time and effort that would otherwise be required for extensive cleaning and reduces the need for additional equipment or tools for dust removal.

Compliance with Safety Regulations

Many construction and industrial environments have strict regulations regarding dust control and worker safety. By using dustless SDS drill bits, it’s possible to ensure compliance with these regulations, minimising the risk of fines or penalties due to inadequate dust management practices. Furthermore, prioritising worker safety by reducing dust exposure can help prevent long-term health issues and potential legal liabilities.

It's worth pointing out that many dustless SDS drill bits are designed for use with specific dust extraction systems. Therefore, it's essential to ensure compatibility between the drill bit and the corresponding dust extraction equipment to get the most out of these systems.

Products to Combat Fine Silica Dust

When it comes to drilling concrete and preventing dust, there are various products available that can greatly benefit construction teams. We highly recommend the following setup for optimal results:

• Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including respiratory protective equipment: To safeguard against dust inhalation, it's crucial for workers to utilize the appropriate PPE. This includes respiratory protective equipment that provides effective filtration and protects against fine silica dust.
• HEPA filter compatible vacuum: A vacuum equipped with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter is essential for efficient dust extraction. This filter captures even the smallest particles, ensuring a clean and dust-free working environment.
• Bluetooth enabled drill: Using a drill with Bluetooth connectivity allows for seamless integration with dust extraction systems, enhancing control and convenience during the drilling process.
• SDS-plus or SDS-max dustless drill bits: Opt for dustless drill bits specifically designed for SDS-plus or SDS-max drills. These specialised bits feature hollow shanks and vacuum attachments, enabling immediate extraction of drill dust. By connecting a portable dust extraction unit as you drill, you can achieve dust-free drilling.
  
  

In our comprehensive Ultimate Dustless Tool kit, you'll find everything you need to get started with dustless drilling, excluding the PPE, respiratory protection equipment, and drill bits. This kit includes an SDS-PLUS drill, an M Class Dust Extractor, two 4Ah batteries, and a rapid charger. It provides all the necessary components for a complete dustless drill setup.

By utilising this ultimate kit, you can eliminate up to 98% of drilling material, ensuring a clean and safe working environment. For high-quality drill bits, we recommend exploring our range of XDust Drills, specifically designed to enable dust-free drilling through the hollow shank and vacuum attachment.

Experience the convenience and efficiency of dustless drilling by simply connecting your portable dust extraction unit to the xDust SDS PLUS hammer drill bits. With immediate extraction of the drill dust, you can work with confidence and maintain a dust-free workspace throughout the drilling process.