STALCO drill bits for metal, wood and concrete: which bit for which job?

Why this brand · STALCO #2 · The brands Saniso stocks, and why  

STALCO drill bits come in a separate shape for almost every material: HSS and cobalt for metal, a step drill for sheet, wood bits with a centring point, flat wood bits for larger holes, and masonry and SDS-plus bits for stone and concrete. In this second STALCO edition of our series Why this brand we look only at drill bits: how you recognise the right bit, which STALCO bits suit which job, and what to check before you drill. The wider STALCO range already has its own overview in STALCO at Saniso: tools, paint accessories and batteries from one brand, so here it gets one link.

Why choose STALCO drill bits?

A drill is only as good as the bit in its chuck. The right bit drills faster, stays sharp longer and gives a cleaner hole, and that saves time on every job. STALCO and STALCO PERFECT cover the whole route from metal to wood to stone under one brand page, and every product page lists what you need to choose: the material of the bit, the shank, the diameter, the length and the substrates it is made for. Many bits are also sold separately per size, so you can replace the one size you use most without buying a whole new set.

Which STALCO drill bits does Saniso stock?

The table shows the seven STALCO drill bits in this article, with the material, the shank and the sizes as listed on their product pages. The range on the brand page is much wider: the HSS, cobalt, flat wood, masonry and SDS-plus bits are also available in many other diameters and lengths.

What are the strengths and opportunities of STALCO drill bits? (a positive SWOT)

We wrote this SWOT for the person holding the drill: what STALCO drill bits do well, where they open doors for you, where they fit best and why we stock them.

How do you recognise the right drill bit for metal, wood or stone?

You can often tell from the tip. A metal bit has a cone-shaped point, usually with an angle of 118° or 135°, and the STALCO HSS and cobalt bits use 135°. A wood bit has a sharp centring point in the middle that pulls the bit into the wood exactly where you marked it. A masonry or concrete bit has a hard carbide tip that crushes stone instead of cutting it. Then look at the shank: a cylindrical shank fits the chuck of a normal drill or drill driver, a 1/4" hex shank does not slip, and an SDS-plus shank only fits an SDS-plus rotary hammer.

Which STALCO drill bits do you use for metal?

For most metal work, an HSS bit to DIN 338 is the standard. The 19-piece STALCO set covers 1 to 10 mm and handles mild steel, aluminium, copper and cast iron. For harder steel such as stainless, choose a cobalt bit: the cobalt content keeps the bit hard at higher temperatures. For round holes in thin sheet, a step drill is quicker and neater than a series of separate bits. Drill metal at a moderate speed and slower for larger diameters, use cutting oil on steel, and clamp the workpiece so it cannot spin.

Which STALCO drill bits do you use for wood?

Wood bits with a centring point give clean holes exactly where you want them, which is why they are the first choice for furniture and finishing work. For larger through holes in beams or studs, a flat wood bit is the quick choice: the long point guides the bit and the two side cutting edges remove the wood. Put a piece of scrap wood behind the workpiece and the exit side stays clean. For holes larger than 40 mm, read our guide to choosing a hole saw.

Which STALCO drill bit for concrete and masonry: SDS-plus or standard shank?

For brickwork and sand-lime brick, a masonry drill in a drill or hammer drill with a standard chuck is usually enough. For concrete, reinforced concrete and hard natural stone, an SDS-plus rotary hammer with an SDS-plus bit works faster and with less effort: the hammer action goes directly into the bit. The STALCO SX5 bit has a four-edged carbide tip that is designed for reinforced concrete. Which plug and which hole diameter you need depends on the substrate and the load; our guide to fixing into concrete, brick and aerated concrete explains that step by step, so we do not repeat it here.

What should you check before you start drilling?

• Know your substrate: metal, wood, brick or concrete each need their own bit.
• Check the shank against your machine: cylindrical or hex for a normal chuck, SDS-plus only for an SDS-plus rotary hammer.
• Match the diameter to the screw, the plug or the pipe, and check the working length for the depth you need.
• Switch off the hammer action for metal, wood and tiles. Drilling tile or porcelain? Read about diamond drilling in tile, concrete and masonry.
• Need a hole larger than the bits in this article? Then choosing a hole saw is the next step.
• Wear safety glasses: read our tip on preventing eye injuries when drilling.

What is the delivery time at Saniso?

Order on a workday before 15:00? Then your order is delivered the next workday, as long as it fits in a parcel. Pallet shipments have a different delivery time. Saniso has thousands of products in stock in the Netherlands. Saniso is on its way to becoming the e-commerce platform for construction across Europe, and already delivers to more than 20 countries.

How do you order at Saniso if you're not a customer yet?

Your first order is easy to place:

1. Create an account via register. Already have an account? Log in here with your email address or phone number.
2. Choose your product and click "Add to cart", or go straight to "Buy now". For products without a listed price, the product page shows the current availability.
3. Check out: all prices at checkout include VAT.
4. Choose delivery or pickup: have it delivered, or pick up your order for free in our showroom.

How do you stay up to date on offers?

Want to know when there are new offers? Sign up for the newsletter: scroll to the bottom of any page on saniso.nl, enter your email address under "Newsletter" and click "Subscribe". You'll get updates on offers and discount coupons, and we don't spam. With an account you also collect loyalty points for a discount on your next purchase.

More about this in the Saniso FAQ under "How do I sign up for the newsletter?". Questions about ordering, payment, shipping or returns are answered there too.

Frequently asked questions

Header images: STALCO and STALCO PERFECT product photos from the product pages on saniso.nl.

Next in Why this brand: more STALCO.