Nail Drill Bits for Hardware Manicure and Pedicure
The drill bit decides how fast, how precisely and how comfortably a hardware manicure goes. The right bit removes material without overheating the nail, works close to the cuticle without hurting the skin and leaves a clean surface ready for the next layer. In this collection you will find carbide and diamond drill bits for every step of the service, plus silicone polishers for smoothing and shine, for nail salons as well as for home manicure.
Carbide Drill Bits ā Removing Gel Polish, Gel and Acrylic
Carbide (tungsten carbide) bits have cut flutes instead of abrasive grit. They remove material quickly and evenly, which makes them the main tool for taking off old coatings. Corn, Cone, Frustum and Herringbone shapes are the classic choice for removing gel polish, base, builder gel and acrylic from the whole nail plate, while slimmer cones reach the cuticle zone and side walls. Left-handed carbide bits have flutes cut in the opposite direction, so they work correctly when the nail drill runs in reverse.
Diamond Drill Bits ā Cuticle, Side Walls and the Natural Nail
Diamond bits carry a layer of diamond grit on a steel base. They are made for delicate work: lifting and removing the cuticle, cleaning the side walls and preparing the natural nail. The Flame shape, with a sharp, blunt or Tornado tip, is the most popular bit for cuticle work. Ball bits clean the side folds and the skin around the nail, and Cylinder bits work along the side walls and the free edge. Larger, coarser diamond bits are designed for pedicure.
Silicone Polishers ā Smoothing and Shine
Silicone polishers in soft, medium and hard versions finish the work after the drill bits. They smooth the natural nail surface and polish the skin around the nail after a hardware manicure, without removing a noticeable layer of material.
How to Read the Color Code
Most manufacturers mark the abrasiveness of a drill bit with a colored ring or notch. As a rule, yellow stands for extra fine, red for fine, blue for medium and green for coarse. Fine bits are for the cuticle, thin nails and sensitive skin, medium bits are the universal choice for removing coatings and shaping, and coarse bits are for dense materials and fast removal. The exact grit can differ slightly from brand to brand, so check the product description before you buy.
Nail Drill Bits by Brand
- DARK: carbide and diamond bits for removing coatings and for cuticle work, including left-handed versions.
- STALEKS: STALEKS PRO carbide and diamond bits in a wide range of shapes, diameters and grits.
- TOUCH: carbide and diamond bits for gel removal, arch shaping and work along the side walls.
- LUNAmoon: carbide bits in Corn, Cone and Herringbone shapes, including left-handed versions, plus diamond Flame bits.
- Kodi: silicone polishers for smoothing and polishing.
Complete Your Hardware Manicure Setup
A drill bit works only as well as the device that drives it. See our nail drills and nail dust collectors for a cleaner workspace. Keep bits hygienic with instrument disinfectants and store them in drill bit stands from Containers & Dispensers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which drill bits should I start with?
A medium (blue) carbide Corn or Cone bit for removing coatings and a fine (red) diamond Flame bit for cuticle work cover most of a basic hardware manicure. Add a Ball bit for the side folds and a silicone polisher for finishing as you gain experience.
What is the difference between carbide and diamond drill bits?
Carbide bits cut material with flutes and are best for removing gel polish, gel and acrylic. Diamond bits grind with abrasive grit and are made for the cuticle, the side walls and the natural nail.
What are left-handed drill bits?
Their flutes are cut in the opposite direction, so they cut properly when the nail drill runs in reverse. Left-handed technicians use them, and so do right-handed technicians who switch direction when working on the other hand.
How should I clean and disinfect drill bits?
After each client, remove dust with a brush, then immerse the bits in an instrument disinfectant according to its instructions, rinse and dry them. Never reuse a bit on another client without cleaning and disinfecting it.
Can I use the same drill bits for manicure and pedicure?
Bits for pedicure are usually larger and coarser, made for thick toenails and dense skin. For hygiene and for the best results, keep separate sets of bits for manicure and pedicure.
