From a nightmare service call: Our habit of using the same drill bit for everything is stupid

I walked into a job where the previous guy drilled through a pipe. He used a worn-out bit that wandered. Now we have a huge repair bill. I always swap bits for different materials. It costs a bit more, but it prevents disasters. My coworkers laugh, but I've never caused damage. Stop being cheap with your tools.

3 comments

3 Comments

grantjones3mo ago

Ever tried using a wood bit on metal and watched it skate around? I did that once on a project and nearly drilled into a wire. Using the wrong bit for concrete just dulls it fast and makes a mess. I learned the hard way that swapping bits saves time and money. Your method might seem extra, but it prevents those nightmare calls.

jenniferc712mo ago

That "skate around" thing is so true... I was putting up a shelf and used a masonry bit on a stud by mistake. It just bounced right off and left this ugly scar on the wood. Felt like a total rookie move. Now my bits are all labeled with a marker in my toolbox, saves me from myself.

oscar3283mo ago

My last build, I skipped bit changes and saved hours.