A 5-piece JCP straight shank masonry drill bit set covering 5 to 8mm, tungsten carbide tipped with two cutting edges for percussion and rotary drilling into brick, block, and natural stone.
- Tungsten carbide tip: harder wearing than plain steel, maintains cutting edge longer in abrasive masonry materials
- Two cutting edges: faster penetration and cleaner hole entry compared to single-edge alternatives
- Sizes included: 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 7mm, and 8mm covering the most common fixing diameters on site
- Overall length: 150mm per bit, working length 90mm
- Shank type: straight, fits all standard percussion and rotary drill chucks
- Storage: supplied in a fitted plastic case, size stamped on every shank
Masonry Straight Shank Drill Bit Set 5 Piece - 2 Cutting Edges - 5 to 8mm
A 5-piece JCP straight shank masonry drill bit set covering 5 to 8mm, tungsten carbide tipped with two cutting edges for percussion and rotary drilling into brick, block, and natural stone.
- Tungsten carbide tip: harder wearing than plain steel, maintains cutting edge longer in abrasive masonry materials
- Two cutting edges: faster penetration and cleaner hole entry compared to single-edge alternatives
- Sizes included: 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 7mm, and 8mm covering the most common fixing diameters on site
- Overall length: 150mm per bit, working length 90mm
- Shank type: straight, fits all standard percussion and rotary drill chucks
- Storage: supplied in a fitted plastic case, size stamped on every shank
- Buy 6 for £5.68 £4.73 each and save 9%
- Buy 12 for £5.20 £4.33 each and save 17%
| BULK DISCOUNT | 6 | 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4.73 £5.68 | £4.33 £5.20 |
Masonry straight shank drill bit set
The five sizes in this JCP set cover the fixing diameters that account for the majority of masonry drilling tasks on a UK construction or maintenance site: 5mm through to 8mm, with 5.5mm and 6mm included for the common anchor and plug sizes that fall between the round numbers. Tungsten carbide tipped with two cutting edges and a straight shank, these bits are designed for use in standard percussion and rotary drills rather than SDS machines, making them the correct choice wherever a keyed or keyless chuck is in use.
Why choose the masonry straight shank drill bit set
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Tungsten carbide tip: TCT is the correct material for masonry drilling. It withstands the abrasive wear of brick, block, and stone far longer than plain high-speed steel, maintaining a usable cutting edge through the volume of holes a site task typically requires.
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Two cutting edges: The dual-edge tip geometry increases the rate of penetration and produces a cleaner hole entry than a single-edge bit. In hard aggregate brick or dense block, the difference in drilling speed is noticeable.
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Five practical sizes in one set: 5, 5.5, 6, 7, and 8mm cover the plugs and anchors specified for the majority of masonry fixings. Having all five sizes in a single case removes the need to source sizes individually and ensures the right bit is always to hand.
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150mm overall length: At 90mm working length and 150mm overall, these bits reach through standard wall finishes and into the masonry substrate without needing extensions, covering the depth required for most plug and anchor installations.
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Straight shank for standard drills: The straight shank fits every keyed and keyless chuck on standard corded and cordless percussion drills. No SDS adapter required, and no risk of the shank incompatibility that causes slippage under load.
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Size stamped on shank: Each bit is permanently marked with its diameter so the correct size can be identified quickly in a case or tool bag without measuring.
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Supplied in a fitted plastic case: Bits are stored in individual slots, protecting tip geometry between uses and keeping the set organised on site.
What's in the box?
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5 x JCP straight shank masonry drill bits: 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 7mm, and 8mm
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Masonry Straight Shank Drill Bit Set 5 Piece - 2 Cutting Edges - 5 to 8mm |
| Product Code | JMDSET5 |
| Pieces | 5 |
| Sizes Included | 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm |
| Working Length | 90mm per bit |
| Overall Length | 150mm per bit |
| Tip Type | Tungsten Carbide |
| Cutting Edges | 2 |
| Shank Type | Straight |
| For Use With | Percussion Drills, Rotary Drills |
| Material Compatibility | Brick, Block, Natural Stone |
| Feature | Size Stamped on Shank |
Compatibility
| Compatible with | Status |
|---|---|
| Corded percussion drills with keyed or keyless chuck | ✓ Compatible |
| Cordless drills with percussion mode and standard chuck | ✓ Compatible |
| Rotary-only drills (soft masonry and natural stone) | ✓ Compatible |
| Drill stands with standard chuck | ✓ Compatible |
| SDS Plus drills (direct fit, no adapter) | ✗ Not recommended |
| SDS Max drills (direct fit, no adapter) | ✗ Not recommended |
| Steel, wood, or ceramic tile | ✗ Not recommended |
Who is this for?
The masonry straight shank drill bit set is used by groundworkers, bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and general site operatives who need to drill fixing holes into brick, block, or natural stone with a standard percussion or rotary drill. It covers the five diameters most commonly specified for wall plugs, frame fixings, and light anchor installations in both new build and refurbishment work.
Typical applications
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Drilling 5mm and 6mm holes for standard plastic wall plugs and screw fixings into brick and blockwork
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5.5mm and 6mm holes for frame fixings in door frames, window boards, and architraves fixed to masonry
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7mm and 8mm holes for heavier duty anchors and fixings in dense block and natural stone
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First and second fix trades drilling chase and fixing holes through internal masonry walls
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Facilities maintenance teams drilling fixing points for shelving, brackets, and service runs into brick or block
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Electricians and plumbers drilling through masonry for conduit, pipe clips, and backbox installations
How to use
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Select the correct bit diameter for your plug or anchor. As a rule, the bit size should match the plug size marked on the packaging.
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Insert the straight shank into your drill's keyed or keyless chuck and tighten fully. A loose bit will slip under percussion load and damage the shank.
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Set your drill to percussion mode for brick, block, and hard stone. Rotary-only mode can be used for softer natural stone and sand-lime brick.
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Mark your drilling point clearly. Start at low speed to establish the hole position before increasing speed and percussion.
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Apply steady forward pressure without forcing the bit. Let the percussion action do the work: excessive force increases bit wear and the risk of tip fracture in hard aggregate.
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Withdraw the bit periodically on deeper holes to clear dust from the flute. Blocked flutes reduce cutting efficiency and cause overheating.
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Check hole depth against your plug or anchor before driving the fixing.
Safety
Wear safety glasses at all times when drilling masonry: fragments of carbide tip, aggregate, and brick can be ejected at speed. Wear a dust mask rated to at least FFP2 when drilling overhead or in enclosed spaces: masonry dust contains respirable silica, which is a serious long-term health hazard under UK COSHH regulations. Before drilling into any wall, check for concealed services using a pipe and cable detector. Secure the workpiece or ensure the drill position is stable before applying power.
Maintenance
Inspect the tungsten carbide tip after each use. A chipped, cracked, or severely rounded tip will not cut efficiently and should be replaced: continuing to use a damaged bit risks bit failure and a poor quality hole. Clear masonry dust from the flute with a stiff brush after use. Store bits in the fitted case with each bit in its correct slot to protect tip geometry. Do not use these bits in SDS machines: the straight shank is not designed to withstand the axial percussion load of an SDS chuck and will slip or be damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a straight shank masonry bit and an SDS masonry bit?
A: Straight shank bits are held in a standard keyed or keyless chuck and rely on the chuck's grip to transfer both rotation and percussion. SDS bits have a slotted shank that locks into a dedicated SDS chuck, allowing the bit to slide axially during hammering. Straight shank bits are for standard percussion drills. SDS bits are for SDS Plus or SDS Max machines only.
Q: Can I use this set in a cordless drill?
A: Yes, provided your cordless drill has a percussion mode and a standard keyless chuck. In percussion mode, a cordless drill will drive these bits through brick and block effectively. In rotary-only mode, performance in hard masonry will be limited.
Q: Why does the set include 5.5mm and 6mm rather than jumping straight from 5mm to 6mm?
A: Many commonly used wall plugs and frame fixings specify 5.5mm as the correct pilot hole diameter. Including 5.5mm avoids the loose fit that results from using 6mm for a 5.5mm plug, which weakens the fixing in the wall.
Q: What does tungsten carbide tipped mean and why does it matter?
A: Tungsten carbide is a very hard material brazed onto the tip of the drill bit. It withstands the abrasive wear of brick, stone, and aggregate far better than plain steel, maintaining a sharp cutting edge through the volume of holes a typical site task requires. Plain steel masonry bits blunt quickly and are a false economy in trade use.
Q: What does two cutting edges mean in practice?
A: A two-edge tip has carbide on both sides of the tip geometry, distributing cutting load evenly and increasing the rate of penetration compared to a single-edge bit. The result is faster drilling and a cleaner hole entry, particularly noticeable in hard brick and dense aggregate block.
Q: Can I use these bits for drilling into concrete?
A: These bits will drill into lightweight and medium-density concrete with a percussion drill. For reinforced concrete, dense aggregate concrete, or high volumes of concrete drilling, an SDS Plus bit set is the more appropriate choice as the SDS percussion mechanism delivers significantly more impact energy.
Q: What size wall plug matches each bit in the set?
A: As a general guide: 5mm bit suits a brown plug, 5.5mm suits a red plug, 6mm suits a red or brown plug depending on the brand, 7mm suits a yellow plug, and 8mm suits a blue plug. Always confirm against the plug manufacturer's specification as sizing can vary between brands.
Q: How do I know when a masonry bit needs replacing?
A: Signs of a worn bit include noticeably slower penetration, burning smell or heat at the tip, visible chipping or rounding of the carbide tip, and holes that are rough or oversize. Replace the bit at the first sign of wear: a blunt bit wastes time and risks overheating the drill motor.
Q: Where can I order this set and what are the delivery options?
A: Order directly from cmt.co.uk. CMT Group operates a fleet of over 100 vehicles covering 90% of the UK mainland, with next working day delivery on orders placed by 7pm online. For urgent site requirements, VIP dedicated delivery is available UK-wide, dispatched within 30 minutes. Trade accounts and EDGE portal ordering are available for procurement teams.
