When buying any type of drill bit, it’s important to consider its compatibility with the drill. Not all drill bits fit all drills. A 1/2-inch-size drill will fit drill bits with a shank up to 1/2 inch in diameter, while a 3/8-inch-size drill will only fit drill bits with shanks up to 3/8 inch in diameter.

For most standard bits, you don’t need to use water. However, if you’re using a large hole bit, spraying the surface of the concrete with water can reduce friction and help keep the bit cool as you drill.

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A durable hard-plastic storage case keeps the bits organized and protected when in a tool box or on the workbench. Thanks to the visual holes in the holder that show the exact size hole each bit will drill, we found it easy to pick the correct-size bit at a glance. If you regularly drill into any type of masonry, you won’t go wrong with this set.

Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industries. She and her husband own a general contracting company, and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications. She tests a wide range of power tools as well as other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products.

MeasureJ2X Tree-ring measuring program (VoorTech Consulting) works in tandem with Velmex Tree-Ring Measurement System (Velmex Inc.)

Core mounts are essential to dendrochronologists. There's no exact rule on how they have to be made as long as the essentials are present: Straight wood strips with a groove down the middle is the very basic form, and the function is to glue wood cores to it for better sanding/cutting/viewing/storage of tree-rings.

The following drill bits are well suited for drilling into concrete and other masonry materials. They withstood rigorous hands-on testing, and each set of bits performed well enough to make our list. You’ll find different sizes and types that fit different drills. There’s sure to be one for your concrete-drilling project.

Smartborer is a device for automatic sampling of increment cores by converting high-speed, low-torque input from a battery-operated Makita electric wrench to a low-speed, high-torque output. Three models available for sampling: 1) 5-mm cores of soft- and hardwood, 2) 12-mm cores of softwood, and 3) 12-mm cores of hardwood. It is capable of sampling an increment core in three minutes, as shown in these videos.

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Hugin provides the ability to stitch photos together. For dendrochronologists, this means we can take multiple scans of large cores or cross sections and stitch them together for image analysis in other crossdating software.

Many dendroarchaeologists use coring bits designed specifically for them by local makers. It's never a bad idea to ask a dendroarchaeologist which borers they prefer to use.

Like many tools, chainsaws come in a variety of brands & sizes depending on your needs and budget. Some important criteria to consider are weight, engine size & bar length to match size of trees/remnant wood you sample, price, and brand reputation.

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dplR is a software package in the R statistical programming environment for tree-ring analyses. R is the world's preeminent open-source statistical computing environment where users can contribute packages, which are freely available on the internet. dplR can read standard format files and perform several standard analyses. These include interactive detrending, chronology building, and calculating standard descriptive statistics. The package can also produce a variety of publication quality plots. - Dr. Andy Bunn (GitHub)

TRiCYCLE is a universal dendro data converter support which can convert between any combination of 22 different data formats

Image-Pro is an image analysis software platform that delivers intuitive tools that make it easy to capture, process, measure, analyze and share your images and valuable data.​

Before selecting the concrete drill bit sets we wanted to test, we researched more than 20 sets, looking for high-quality bits made from steel with carbide tips. We considered brand to an extent—after all, manufacturers like Bosch and Makita have top reputations for producing high-end power tools and accessories. Still, we didn’t automatically eliminate smaller or niche manufacturers if their masonry drill bit sets were highly rated by customers.

In actual testing, we drilled through concrete, stone, and brick to see how well the drill bits fared. We used a standard DeWalt drill and a Milwaukee rotary hammer drill (depending on the individual drill bit shanks), and we drilled dozens of holes. We noted how well the bits performed and awarded points based on a rubric. After testing, we averaged the points to determine our best overall pick, and then we categorized the rest of the drill bits by their best usage.

Tellervo is a system for measuring, managing and curating dendrochronological samples. It is free and open source software

Makers of core mounts can be difficult to find, but you can try local cabinet makers and woodworkers for an inquiry. A couple of known providers in the U.S. are:

This set from Owl Tools includes 10 drill bits at an affordable price point. With its broad range of sizes, this set can handle most concrete drilling needs; bit sizes range from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch in diameter, and we found them all to be durable and of good quality.

The Owl Tools bits have standard smooth shanks to fit a regular drill. We didn’t notice any of the bits slipping as we applied pressure while drilling, as some smooth-shank bits tend to do.

Masonry drill bits come in a variety of sizes to suit a broad range of needs. The smallest masonry bits are around 3/16 inch in diameter, with larger bits topping out at the 1/2-inch size. Hole saw bits have sizes that go up to 4 inches or more.

Dendroarchaeology calls for special borers made for taking (usually) larger core samples from dry timbers and artifacts. These bits are used in combination with an electric drill.

A durable hard-plastic carrying case keeps the bits organized and easy to transport to the worksite. It was one of the better cases we saw, as it held the bits securely and came with a sliding lock. This is an all-around great little set of drill bits for anyone who regularly needs to drill into concrete or other masonry materials.

With extra-wide U-shaped flutes, these drill bits from WorkPro effectively ejected masonry dust as we drilled in concrete, brick, and stone. The bits have Luxembourg carbide tips that are made to be tough, hard, and durable, and they drilled quickly in our tests.

Step-by-step user manual to construct and launch the digitization system with simple computer skills in our GitHub repository.

This kit includes eight bits, ranging from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in diameter. The bits have SDS-plus shanks, so the user will need a rotary hammer drill to use them.

In addition to drilling through masonry, we tried out this set of bits on dimensional lumber and 8-gauge sheet metal. They were slightly slower on masonry than some of the dedicated bits we tried, but they still did the job. They excelled as drill bits for metal as long as we drilled nice and slow. It’s not every day you can pick up a set of good metal drill bits and use them to drill a hole in brick or concrete, but it’s possible with the EZArc bits.

The bits feature SDS-plus shanks, and users will need a hammer drill to use them. The set comes with seven bits, ranging in size from 3/16 inch to 1/2 inch in diameter, making this a highly versatile set of masonry bits.

If you have additional questions about how to drill into concrete or choosing a drill bit for concrete or a drill bit for brick, you’ll find answers here.

Sorbus International | Specialist & Hi-tech equipment for Arboriculture, Forestry, Utilities, Grounds Maintenance (Sommerset, UK)

While there is no single chuck or drill head for concrete bits, many concrete bits have a slotted drive system (SDS), which means they have slots on the ends of the shanks for use in rotary hammer drills. SDS bits came out decades ago, and today, an improved version (SDS-plus) is standard on bits for hammer drills. You can still find smooth-shank bits for standard drills and hex-shank bits that will fit standard drills and impact drivers.

sgsR is designed to implement structurally guided sampling approaches for enhanced forest inventories. The package was designed to function using rasterized airborne laser scanning (ALS; Lidar) metrics to allow for stratification of forested areas based on structure.

WinCELL is an image analysis software program specifically designed for wood cells analysis. It can quantify the changes in wood structure over annual rings.

With carbide tips and a fluted design that bores through masonry, these Bosch Bulldog drill bits are some of the best on the market. Their four-flute design brought concrete dust up and out of the holes as we drilled, making the process smooth and quick.

We liked the pointed tips on this set of bits as they kept the bit from skittering across the material when we started drilling, which made the process much easier. If you need to drill different size holes in masonry, these Bosch Bulldog bits are just the ticket.

These are slotted drive shaft (SDS) bits, meaning they will fit SDS-plus hammer drills, so we used a cordless Milwaukee rotary hammer drill for testing. This set has five pieces, including a 3/16-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch bit and two 2¼-inch bits of different lengths. The carbide tips are rugged, and we could easily drill through concrete, brick, and stone.

The SHDIATool core bit excelled in our tests. To extend its useful life, users can spray the surface of the material they’re drilling with water, which will help keep the bit cool and reduce friction. This is the bit to have for drilling larger holes in concrete.

Glenda Taylor is a BobVila.com staff writer with a background in the residential remodeling, home building, and home improvement industries. She started writing for BobVila.com in 2016 and covers a range of topics, including construction methods, code compliance, tool use, and the latest news in the housing and real estate industries.

Also consider the length & diameter. Lengths of 20" are available for longer cores. Straws can also be inserted into one another for longer cores. This works best with two straws of slightly different diameters. Remember, the most common tree core diameter is 5.15mm, so diameters of 7-8mm work well.

While you can, and many do, use freely available plastic straws from restaurants (and claim the best places for straws), some prefer to buy & use paper straws for tree core storage in the field.

Some drill bits have coatings to improve their performance. Black oxide coatings are more durable than high-speed steel, as they resist rust and corrosion. Tungsten carbide coatings enhance the drill bit’s strength, enabling it to bore through stone and concrete.

Our favorite, thanks to its four-flute design and carbide tips, is the five-piece Bosch Bulldog Carbide Set for use in hammer drills, which are often used as masonry drills.

This is the second set of Bosch drill bits to make our lineup, and we found these bits highly efficient. Their four-flute design excelled at ejecting dust and debris as we drilled, which made the drilling process smooth and quick. Their pointed tips kept the bits centered as we started the holes. We were able to drill clean holes in concrete, brick, and even dense stone without problems.

In addition to carbide tips, the EZArc bits have multigrind sharp edges and double-flute design, which make them well suited for drilling in various materials. A hex shank adds even more versatility—these bits are compatible with standard drills and impact drivers. The kit includes five bits: 5/32 inch, 3/16 inch, 1/4 inch, 5/16 inch, and 3/8 inch.

Larger diameter increment borers & dry timber dendroarchaeological borers require correspondingly larger tubes for storage.

Masonry drill bits are specifically designed to tackle stone and can bore through these hard surfaces with ease. Often featuring tungsten carbide tips that can endure drilling through hard stone surfaces, masonry drill bits have wide flutes that allow them to pull away large amounts of material as they drill to prevent debris from jamming the bit. Some bits even use diamond-encrusted blades to cut through this material. They come in a wide range of sizes to suit different needs.

Masonry drill bits need to be hard enough to endure the rigors of drilling through concrete. With that in mind, most masonry drill bits have steel shafts with a cutting tip made of tungsten carbide, which is much harder than steel and can grind through stone without dulling quickly. Some drill bits use diamond particles, which are welded to the cutting edge to chew through hard surfaces such as marble and granite.

Like higher-end bits, this set of Owl Tools bits comes with pointed tips to help keep the bit positioned when starting the hole. We tested the bits by drilling into brick, concrete, and stone, and they fared well. We felt they were just slightly slower than some of the other bits we tested, but drilling into masonry isn’t something to hurry along. We mainly wanted to see if they could withstand repeated drilling without breaking, and they did.

Spending money on specialty concrete bits that see infrequent use may not be the most economical way of expanding one’s collection of drill bits. This EZArc multipurpose bit set offers an excellent alternative. The bits’ design and carbide tips make them suitable for drilling through tile, concrete, and stone plus metal, wood, and even plastic.

For drilling jobs that require drilling through concrete or other stone surfaces, it’s important to use a drill bit that’s strong and sharp enough to bore through especially hard, dense material. Read on to learn about materials, bit type, drill compatibility, and other crucial factors to consider when choosing a masonry drill bit.

Drilling through masonry can be tough, requiring special drill bits for concrete that will hold up to the job. We recently tested seven different types of concrete drill bits in various sizes—using them to drill holes in concrete, brick, and stone.

Start by drilling a small guide hole at a low-speed setting for very hard concrete. Once you’ve established a 1/8-inch hole, remove the bit, blow the dust out of the hole, and use a larger bit at medium speed while applying steady pressure. It’s also a good idea to wear hearing protection—concrete drilling can be loud.

Buying a chainsaw is good, but you're going to need some things to go with it. Below are some necessities and considerations to assure a good time is had in the field.

​MAIDEN is an ecophysiological model that was created to explore the relationships between climate variability and forest growth-productivity. The simulations are verified using dendroecological data and measurements of ecosystem fluxes.

To cover all bases, we tested bits that fit standard drills and impact drivers, as well as rotary hammer drills. We also tested a hole bit that fits a grinder. Ahead, learn which factors to consider when shopping for a cement drill bit, and find out how the following products earned a spot in our lineup of the best drill bits for concrete.

You can drill as soon as the concrete is completely hardened, but pros often wait a couple of days to ensure the concrete is ready. Unlike needing to wait before painting or applying a sealer, you don’t have to wait 28 days to drill.

LaserSoft Imaging, founded in 1986, is worldwide known as a pioneer of scanner and digital imaging software. SilverFast is the standard in the field of Scanning and Archiving

This set comes with five bits, ranging in size from 3/16 inch to 1/2 inch. An included plastic bit case provides convenient storage.

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Sharpening drill bits manually with a file or bench grinder is a complicated process. You need a machine specially designed for drill-bit sharpening to do it yourself. It’s usually easier to buy new drill bits.

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Each bit has a wide spiral flute that bores evenly through stone, concrete, and brick. These bits will easily handle tough concrete-drilling jobs, but you’ll want to use a good drill for concrete—and it will need to be a rotary hammer drill with a minimum 7/8-inch chuck. We drilled several holes in quick succession, and the Makita bits performed flawlessly.

This is the repository of the Tallo database, a global collection of georeferenced and taxonomically standardized records of individual trees for which stem diameter, height and/or crown radius have been measured.

The new Skippy system allows digitizing tree rings from cores and disks, but also taking images from long micro sections (up to 40cm) using transmitted light. This feature is of special interest for dendrogeomorphic applications to identify the onset of compression wood and tension wood in micro sections cut with a WSL-Core-Microtome.

Most masonry drill bits are used in hammer drills or standard drills, but not all. The SHDIATool core bit is designed for use with an angle grinder, and we were impressed at how well it drilled.

Other dendrochronology programs can be found & downloaded from the "Software" page of Tree Ring Lab | Columbia Climate School of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. These include the commonly used "ARSTAN", "Cofeche", "Edrm", & others.

We build scanners by scientists for scientific work in research and industry, scanners that maximize your analytical possibilities and the information that you can pick up from your samples. Still, these scanners are straightforward and easy to use. With these instruments you can scan along long samples to determine the variation of a wide range of elements along a scanned track. Our Itrax XRF scanners retrieve a wealth of information in short time, non destructively and cost efficient. A deep understanding of x-ray physics have resulted in several cutting edge constructions. Itrax stands for XRF scanners with unique constructions packed with innovations that offer several competitive advantages. These analytical instruments find their applications in scanning drill cores as well as wet sediment cores or even wood, within fields like Geology, Petroleum Engineering and Research, Mineral Exploration and Research, Forestry, Environmental Research, Paleoclimate Research, etc.

FHAES analyzes event chronologies such as those from fire-scarred trees but can also be used to analyze chronologies of other disturbance events, like avalanches, floods, freezes, or insect infestations.

Repeated drilling through dense concrete and stone puts drill bits to the test, often wearing them down quickly. While these drill bits from Makita are more expensive than some masonry drill bit sets, in our tests, their thick tungsten carbide tips held up well for drilling several holes.

Provides novel dendroclimatological methods, primarily used by the Tree-ring research community. There are four core functions. The first one is daily_response(), which finds the optimal sequence of days that are related to one or more tree-ring proxy records. Similar function is daily_response_seascorr(), which implements partial correlations in the analysis of daily response functions. For the enthusiast of monthly data, there is monthly_response() function. The last core function is compare_methods(), which effectively compares several linear and nonlinear regression algorithms on the task of climate reconstruction. - Dr. Jernej Jevsenak (GitHub)

We tried out a 1-inch hole bit, although these bits are available in several sizes to suit your specific needs from just under 3/4 inch to 4 inches in diameter. This is a diamond-coated drill bit; tiny diamond shards are laser welded to the tip, making it easy to drill through concrete and other types of masonry.

An important factor in deciding what kind of straws to use in the field is the amount of moisture you'll be working in. Paper straws are more breathable and better at preventing mold, but if you are working in wet/humid environments, it might be best to go with plastic.

Masonry drill bits come in several variations, including rotary percussion, double flute, and saw drill bits. All bit types use large carbide tips that can penetrate stone. Some bits have spear-shaped tips that allow for precision drilling, while others feature a crown-shaped tip that can efficiently grind through masonry.

When purchasing and using a drill bit for masonry, there are several important guidelines to follow to ensure a successful outcome.

For a full description of the database, see: Jucker et al. (2022). Tallo - a global tree allometry and crown architecture database. Global Change Biology, doi:10.1111/GCB.16302 (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/gcb.16302).

Sercon are dedicated to the design, manufacture and support of Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometers and their associated sample preparation systems.

You can make your own, but do take care to be safe! Dr. Peter Brown (Rocky Mountain Tree-Ring Research) has posted good photos of his process, and previously provided core mounts to the dendro community in the North America. View the photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rmtrr/sets/72177720313912934/

DENDROXRAY 2 closed system is a compact designed apparatus for the gentle X-raying of wood samples. The X-ray tube of the DENDROXRAY 2 closed system is built-in into a cabinet, which protects the operator against all X-rays coming out from the X-ray tube (fully protected device). This equipment has the advantage (in Switzerland) that no approval is necessary for the operation.