A guide pad for a cutting tool is formed with at least one sliding surface, which is convexly curved in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the guide pad. Each sliding surface includes two convexly curved sliding sub-surfaces separated by a fluid conveying formation having a longitudinal extension in a direction in parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fluid conveying formation is planar or has a convexly curved shape in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis having a larger radius of curvature than the radius of the sliding surface.

A drill bit which is rotatable about a drilling axis is disclosed. The drill bit has a cutting section having one or more cutting segments and a first plug-connecting element and a drill shaft section having a second plug-connecting element. The first plug-connecting element and the second plug-connecting element form a plug connection and the first plug-connecting element and the second plug-connecting element are connectable by a pin connection.

A drill bit includes a shank, a transition portion, and a body portion defining a plurality of axially stacked, progressively sized steps. The steps include a first step and a terminal step coupled to the transition portion. The first step defines two tip flutes each disposed at a tip flute angle. The body portion defines a body flute extending from the first step to the transition portion. The drill bit also includes an indicator band formed on a portion of the body flute and a portion of an outer surface of one of the plurality of steps.

A drill bit which is rotatable about a drilling axis is disclosed. The drill bit has a drill shaft section having a first plug-connecting element and a cutting section having a second plug-connecting element. The first plug-connecting element and the second plug-connecting element form a plug connection. The cutting section includes a plurality of cutting subsections each having a ring subsection and at least one cutting segment, wherein each ring subsection together with the first plug-connecting element forms the plug connection and is connectable to the first plug-connecting element by a pin connection.

A drilling head for a tubular shank having an inside diameter and threads may comprise an axial body comprising a duct exiting through a first end; threads adjacent the first end corresponding to the threads on the shank and aligning the duct with the shank inside diameter; a bore from an outer surface of the body to the duct; and two axially extending approximately parallel and offset surfaces adjacent a second end; and an insert affixed between the offset surfaces, the insert comprising: a first face at least partially contacting one offset surface and a second face at least partially contacting the other offset surface; one or more cutting edges adjacent the first face, the second face, or both; and a cutting lip adjacent one or more cutting edges.

A vacuum drilling system and methods is provided that may utilize both a through tool coolant supply as well as a central vacuum extraction system. The system may include a cutting head provided on a hollow tube and a vacuum source to apply vacuum pressure to the area of the cutting head via one or more chip inlets arranged proximate to the cutting head. Sealed coolant containment channels supply coolant to the area of the cutting head.

An adjustable drill has a drill body having a face surface with a directional feature provided therewith. At least one cartridge is mounted adjacent the face surface and selectively slidable along the directional feature to provide adjustment. At least one insert is releasably affixed in an insert pocket provided in the cartridge. In further examples, the adjustable drill may have a central cutting system in combination with the adjustable cartridge type system, wherein the central cutting system may be modular. There may also be provided a modular type of holder arrangement to provide flexibility to adapt the system for various applications.

A holesaw assembly includes a holesaw and a pilot bit. The holesaw includes a hollow cup defining a center axis. The cup has a round base perpendicular to the center axis and a peripheral wall coupled to and extending axially forward of the base to a peripheral edge at a free end of the wall. The pilot bit is received in the holesaw along the center axis. The pilot bit has a shaft received in the base, a cutting head coupled to a front end of the shaft, and an at least partially threaded tip coupled to a front end of the cutting head. The holesaw is free of any radial cutting elements disposed inside the cup between the drill bit and the peripheral wall of the cup.

A laser beam is transmitted through a drill bit comprising diamond or other suitable light-transmitting material having sufficient hardness. The laser beam exits a tip of the drill bit, thereby heating and softening the material being drilled at and/or near the interface of the drill with the material being drilled. The process may be utilized to drill hard and brittle materials such as ceramics and semiconductors, composites and ceramic matrix composites. The process may cause high pressure phase transformation, resulting in a more ductile and plastic material near the drill point/tip. The process provides more rapid drilling, improved surface quality in drilled holes, and less tool wear.

A drilling tool is configured to perform drilling and/or percussive work on materials such as stone, concrete and/or reinforced concrete. The drilling tool has a fastening region and a working region. The working region has a working body and at least one cutting element projecting axially and/or radially in relation to the working body. The at least one cutting element has at least one first cutting edge and at least one second cutting edge. The at least one second cutting edge is configured to serve as a replacement cutting edge and/or as an auxiliary cutting edge, and the at least one second cutting edge is set back, at least partly, in relation to the at least one first cutting edge of the drilling tool, axially along a longitudinal axis of the drilling tool, in a direction towards the fastening region.