All accessory guides

Accessory guide

Drill Bits

Choose a drill bit by the material and hole you need, then match its shank to your machine. Start with one of the four paths below.

[1] [2] [3] [5]

This guide explains how to choose. Follow the instructions for your exact drill and bit before use.

Simplified wood, metal and masonry drill-bit tip examples with their labels. The shapes are schematic, not dimensional fit guides.
Wood · Metal · MasonryIllustration for reference only. Not an image of the branded product.Three selected tip-family schematics, not every drill-bit form. Match the exact material label, bit and drill connection; appearance alone does not confirm use or fit.

1. Choose the bit for the material

Wood: locate the hole cleanly

For a neat hole in hardwood or softwood, consider a wood brad-point bit. Its centre point locates the start; the sharp outer spurs cut the edge of the hole. Bosch’s PRO Wood design also uses two flutes to carry chips away.

[2]
Simplified brad-point wood-bit features: centre brad point, outer spurs and a separately shown cylindrical shank.
Illustration for reference only. Not an image of the branded product.Feature locations are simplified. Flutes and cutting-edge geometry are not shown. Confirm the product label, size and tool instructions.

Metal: name the metal first

For steel, look for an HSS metal bit; HSS means high-speed steel. Bosch PointTeQ lists steel and cast iron, and its self-centring tip helps start the hole without wandering. For stainless steel, choose a range that explicitly lists it, such as Bosch’s cobalt-alloyed HSS-Co range.

[12] [3] [4]
Simplified metal twist-bit feature views showing the cutting-tip area, flutes and a separate cylindrical shank. HSS material cannot be confirmed by colour or shape.
Illustration for reference only. Not an image of the branded product.Simplified feature locations, not exact cutting-edge or flute geometry. HSS material cannot be confirmed by colour or shape. Check the exact product label, size and tool instructions.

Masonry and concrete: identify the wall

Brick, concrete and hollow brick need different checks. Bosch CYL-1 lists brick and limestone. For concrete with an SDS plus rotary hammer, Bosch SDS plus-5 is an example of a concrete-rated family. Choose the stated material and matching holder together.

[5] [6]
Simplified masonry-bit feature views showing a carbide tip, flutes and a separate cylindrical shank. Colours identify diagram features and do not confirm material or fit.
Illustration for reference only. Not an image of the branded product.Simplified feature locations, not exact cutting-edge or flute geometry. The carbide-tip label comes from the selected range’s specification. Confirm the exact range, material label and shank size; appearance does not establish fit.

Drill bit sets: buy the sizes you will use

A set helps when your jobs need several hole sizes. Compare its actual diameters and material range with your project list; a metal-only set does not become a masonry set because it has more pieces. For one repeated hole size, compare an individual bit instead.

[8] [9]

2. See how the choice changes

Example: a hole in a steel bracket

Start with a steel-rated metal bit, then the hole diameter your project specifies. The chuck size is only the drill’s holding range: the GSB 600 accepts shanks up to 13 mm, but its published steel-drilling limit is 10 mm. A bit fitting the chuck is not the whole decision.

[3] [11]

Example: solid brick versus hollow brick

First establish which brick you have. Bosch’s masonry guidance calls for impact mode in full brick and rotary mode in brittle material such as hollow brick. Do not turn on hammer action just because the job is in a wall.

[5]

Example: a cleanly positioned hole in wood

A brad-point bit gives you a centre point to locate the hole and outer spurs to cut its edge. Choose the required diameter, then check that your drill can hold the shank and drill that size in wood. This is a different choice from the steel-bracket job.

[2] [11]

3. Check these four details before buying

Cutting diameter: the hole width

Choose the diameter specified by the project, then compare it with the drill’s capacity for that material. Capacity can differ between wood, steel and masonry.

[11] [2] [3]

Shank: the end held by the tool

A cylindrical shank goes into a suitable three-jaw chuck. SDS plus and SDS max identify different rotary-hammer holding systems; match the exact system named on your tool. They are not alternative labels for the cutting diameter.

[3] [5] [6] [7]

Working length: check it separately

Compare the required drilling depth with the bit’s stated working length, not just its end-to-end length. Product tables list both because they are different measurements. Follow the drill’s depth-setting instructions where applicable.

[3] [6] [12]

Mode: rotary or impact

Use the mode specified for the material and tool. In the GSB 600 example, wood and metal use drilling without hammer action. Do not copy a brick-drilling mode into a wood, metal or brittle-material job.

[12] [5]

Pro tips & practical checks

Do: make the last check useful

Check each new material

When moving from steel to stainless steel, or from brick to concrete, reselect from the material list. A familiar colour or similar-looking tip is not a substitute for that check.

[3] [4] [5] [6]

Don’t: avoid these buying mistakes

Do not choose by chuck size alone

A large enough chuck does not override the drill’s smaller capacity in a particular material. Check both before choosing the hole size.

[11]

Do not make a brick bit your all-wall choice

The CYL-1 material guidance does not make it a concrete or tile recommendation. Select a range that names the actual material.

[5]

GSB 600 example: before you drill

Changing a bit, then starting

Unplug the GSB 600 before fitting or changing a bit. After tightening the chuck, remove its key before starting. For metal, use a sharp, undamaged HSS bit.

[12]

Control the work

Use its auxiliary handle and secure the workpiece. Check for hidden cables and pipes; hold the insulated grips where the bit could contact wiring or the cord.

[12]

If the bit becomes blocked

Switch off immediately and be prepared for a strong twisting reaction. Wait for the tool to stop before putting it down.

[12]

With long drill bits

Start slowly with the tip touching the work. Never exceed the bit’s maximum speed; apply pressure straight along the bit without excessive force.

[12]

Common questions

Does a concrete-rated SDS bit fit my ordinary drill chuck?

SDS plus and SDS max are named rotary-hammer systems. Choose the shank system your tool specifies; a material rating does not change that connection.

[6] [7] [5]
Is the drill’s maximum rpm the right speed for every bit?

No. Drilling speed depends on the material and bit diameter. Specialist bits may specify their own settings on the pack or in their instructions. Use that guidance rather than treating the drill’s no-load speed as a cutting recommendation.

[10]
Is every HSS bit a stainless-steel bit?

Choose by the stated metal, not HSS alone. The cited PointTeQ range lists steel and cast iron; the HSS-Co range explicitly lists stainless steel.

[3] [4]

Explore the Bosch India categories

Sources
  1. Bosch India Drill Bits

    Main body linked subtypes: Wood; Masonry & Concrete; Metal; Drill Bit Sets. Interface filters.

    Back to reference
  2. Bosch India PRO Wood Brad Point Drill Bit

    Features/material icons; “Precision drilling in wood”, numbered points 1–3: centring point, chip-removal flutes, outer spurs; product-options dimensions

    Back to reference
  3. Bosch India HSS PointTeQ

    Features: self-centring tip, HSS, cylindrical shank; Materials icons Steel/Cast iron; Product Options and variant details

    Back to reference
  4. Bosch India PRO Stainless Steel HSS-Co

    Opening features: stainless-steel application, high-speed steel with added cobalt, centring tip, cylindrical shank

    Back to reference
  5. Bosch India CYL-1

    Features; material icons; FAQ “Which Impact and Rotary drill bits should I use…” and “Which drilling mode should I use…”; exact dimensions table

    Back to reference
  6. Bosch India SDS plus-5 Drill Bit

    Opening intended tool “For rotary hammers”; SDS plus interface statement; concrete material icon; diameter/working-length/total-length options

    Back to reference
  7. Bosch India EXPERT SDS max-8X

    Opening “For rotary hammers”; SDS max interface statement

    Back to reference
  8. Bosch India Drill Bit Sets

    Product list distinguishes metal, mixed, SDS plus and CYL-1 sets; Material and Interface filters

    Back to reference
  9. Bosch India HSS PointTeQ Set

    Selected options and Product Options: exact constituent diameters and lengths

    Back to reference
  10. Bosch DIY India drilling FAQ

    Questions and answers about Drills > Can you drill all materials at the same speed?; material/diameter dependence and specialist-bit instructions

    Back to reference
  11. Bosch India PRO GSB 600

    Order 06011A03F0; Technical data > chuck capacity 1.5–13 mm and drilling diameter in steel 10 mm; Downloads > 89B manual

    Back to reference
  12. Bosch GSB 600 instructions, 1 609 92A 89B (01.12.2022)

    Printed p.5 general safety/PPE/key removal/isolation; p.6 drill/long-bit warnings, restraint, hidden services, blocked bit and intended use; p.7 capacity/assembly; p.8 operating mode and metal/HSS advice

    Back to reference