So yesterday I was trying to fix some brickwork around the patio. My old Diablo 16″ masonry bit? Finished. Shattered halfway through the last project. Total bummer. Needed something long and tough now. Off to the hardware store I go.
Hitting the Wall First Thing
Okay, store was packed. Found the drill bit aisle easily enough. Looked for another Diablo 16″ masonry bit. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Checked the big rack twice. Asked the guy behind the counter. He shrugged. “Supply chain stuff. Maybe next month?” Forget that. Got work to do. Needed an alternative, fast.
Started Digging Around
Started pulling out anything labeled “masonry” or “concrete” close to 16 inches. Some were skinny, some were fat. Didn’t care about brand names anymore, just needed something that could punch deep holes through brick.
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My main points were:
- Shank: Needed hex shank! My SDS drill won’t take anything round.
- Durability: Carbide tip? Yes please. Last job destroyed my last bit.
- Price: Cheaper is nicer, sure, but not if it snaps. No cheap junk.
Grabbed a few likely suspects:
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The Contenders:
- #1 Deep Hole Punisher: Carbide-tipped beast. Exactly 16″. Shank looked solid. Heavy sucker. Pricey, though.
- #2 Value Brick Buster: Cheaper. Also carbide tip. Claims “deep penetration”. More skeptical.
- #3 Long Shot Carbon: Cheapest of the three. Looked less rugged. Maybe okay for softer block? Not sure.
Time to Put ‘Em to Work
Got home, fired up the SDS drill. Started slow on a scrap cinder block.
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The Good:
- #1 Punisher: Went through that block like butter. Smooth. No wobble. Didn’t heat up crazy fast. Felt sturdy.
- #2 Brick Buster: Worked okay. Did the job, but slower. Felt a little flimsier while drilling. Got warmer faster.
The Not-So-Good:
- #3 Long Shot: Meh. Started okay, then slowed way down fast. Got super hot. Tip looked duller after just one hole. Avoid.
Took #1 and #2 to the actual brick wall. #1 again flew through. Clean hole. #2 struggled more, chipped the brick around the hole slightly. Clearly #1 was top dog.
The Final Showdown & What Won
#1 Deep Hole Punisher? Clear winner. Did the job fast, clean, and felt like it could handle more abuse. Yeah, paid more, but it works like the Diablo bit. Feels solid. #2 Brick Buster is kinda the backup option – works in a pinch if #1 isn’t around, but feels like it might quit early.
Bottom Line: If your Diablo 16″ masonry bit vanished like mine, grab a long carbide-tipped SDS bit with a solid build. Forget the flimsy cheap ones. Tried it, tested it. #1 saved my brick project!