Tapcon Drill Bits
Published by Robert Carlisle on Jul 31st 2010
Tapcon© drill bits are carbide bits that are used for drilling a hole into base materials such as concrete, brick or block. These drill bits come packaged in boxes of 100 Tapcons and have a tanged end at the opposite end of the carbide tip. This tanged end allows for the bit to be inserted into a Tapcon® installation tool and secured with a set screw.
Bit Diameters
The diameter of the Tapcon® drill bit that is used must be slightly smaller than the diameter of the concrete screw being used. Each diameter of Tapcon® has a specific diameter of drill bit that must be used to drill the hole into the base material. This helps ensure that the proper hole tolerance is met. The diameter of the drill bit required for the 3/16” Tapcon® is 5/32” and the 1/4” Tapcon® requires a 3/16” drill bit.
Bit Length
The length of the Tapcon® drill bit that should be used for drilling holes should allow for drilling a hole that is a minimum of 1/4” deeper into the base material than the concrete screw will penetrate. All Tapcon® drill bit lengths are an overall length. The drilling depth of the drill bit is less than the overall length.
Tapcon Drill Bit Diameter |
Tapcon Drill Bit Lengths |
Tapcon Drill Bit Drilling Depths |
3/16” |
3-1/2” |
2” |
4-1/2” |
3” |
|
5-1/2” |
4” |
|
1/4” |
3-1/2” |
2” |
4-1/2” |
3” |
|
5-1/2” |
4” |
|
6-1/2” |
5” |
|
7-1/2” |
6” |
Carbide Tipped Bits
All Tapcon® drill bits have a piece of carbide brazed into the working end of the bit. This piece of carbide's tolerance is matched with the diameter of tapcon concrete screw it is designed for. The carbide tip provides excellent strength, durability, and long life for drilling into hard base material such as concrete, brick or block.
Flute Design
The Tapcon® drill bit flute is such that the dust is removed from the hole as fast as the dust is created during the drilling process. The flute is an integral part of the drill bit because the quick removal of the dust will ensure longer bit life, better quality and diameter consistency of the hole.
Other Bits
Other carbide bits can be used for drilling holes for theTapcons as long as they meet ANSI Standards. An ANSI standard bit will ensure that the diameter meets the correct diameter requirements needed to ensure proper installation. The SDS Max and spline bits do not have a diameter equal to the diameters needed for the concrete screws. The SDS and SDS+, as well as hammer bits all, have diameters that meet the Tapcon® requirements.
Hammer Drills
The hole for Tapcons must be drilled using a hammer drill and a carbide tipped drill bit. The use of a hammer drill is a necessity because it will create the proper quality of hole required to install a masonry screw properly. The use of a straight rotation only drill will not make the correct tolerance hole, making it difficult, if not impossible, for the Tapcon® screw to be inserted into the hole.