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Power Tools / BUYING REFERENCE

Masonry drill bits: material, shank and size checks

Choose a masonry drill bit by the actual wall material, the tool holder and the hole specification. Concrete, solid brick, hollow brick and a tiled surface do not automatically call for the same accessory or mode. A cylindrical bit held in a three-jaw chuck is also a different purchase from an SDS-plus bit. Keep cutting diameter, working length and total length separate when comparing a single bit with a mixed set.

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Search results. Match the specifications below to the selected listing.

Compare the fitting before the pack size

These manufacturer examples illustrate three choices found in masonry searches. They are selection references, not verified accessories for an unnamed drill. The material and holder must both match; a shared cutting diameter does not establish interchangeability.

Compare the fitting before the pack size
Named familyPublished applicationHolder checkManufacturer source
Bosch CYL-3Concrete and solid brickCylindrical shank; three-jaw chuckManufacturer reference ↗
Bosch EXPERT CYL-9 MultiConstructionMultiple materials, including soft ceramic tileCylindrical shank; mode depends on materialManufacturer reference ↗
Bosch PRO SDS plus-5XConcrete and reinforced concreteSDS-plus rotary hammer holderManufacturer reference ↗

Hammer mode is a material-specific decision

Bosch's CYL-3 guidance distinguishes impact drilling in concrete and solid brick from rotary drilling in brittle hollow brick. Its MultiConstruction guidance likewise specifies rotary mode for ceramic tile. Keep those instructions attached to the named accessory and substrate; do not turn them into an all-masonry hammer rule.

A tile face needs its own material check before considering the wall behind it. A listing that mentions soft ceramic tile does not establish suitability for hard porcelain. Use the tile reference when that is the surface you need to drill.

Compare exact diameters and usable length

Bosch CYL-3 set 2608597709 contains 5, 6 and 8 mm bits. That identifies the supplied hole diameters, not a universal choice for every wall plug. Read the fixing manufacturer's required drill diameter and depth, then check the selected bit's working length.

Carry the bit family, diameter and required working length into an Amazon search. Check the selected variant and contents again: a long overall dimension can include the portion held by the tool, and a larger set can still omit the size required.

Comparison sources

Manufacturer references checked 2026-10-03. These examples describe published specifications, rather than a hands-on review.

MATCH THE DETAILS TO YOUR JOB

What to check before buying

  1. Identify concrete, solid or hollow brick, stone, or a tile surface before choosing the bit family.
  2. Match the stated shank to the tool holder; cylindrical and SDS-plus are separate fittings.
  3. Take hole diameter and depth from the exact fixing instructions where a fixing is being installed.
  4. Check working length separately from overall length, and read every diameter in a mixed set.
  5. Confirm operating mode for the named material and bit; a masonry label alone is insufficient.

Compare the related product types

Cordless combi drills →SDS-plus drill bits and sizes →Tile drill bits: ceramic, porcelain and wet or dry choices →

Answers for your next purchase

Types of drill bits: choose by material, holder and hole size →

Reference & scope

Bosch UK masonry bit materials, shanks and set sizes

This page is a selection checklist for a product type. The manufacturer instructions and exact retailer listing determine suitability, included accessories and available variants.

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