Drill bit materials
| Material | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carbide | Removing hard gel, acrylic, product backfill | Aggressive cutting. Fast removal. Not for natural nail. Must be used correctly. |
| Diamond | Natural nail area, cuticle work, fine finishing | More controlled. Safe closer to natural nail. Longer lasting than carbide. |
| Ceramic | General prep, buffing, finishing | Runs cooler than carbide. Good for sensitive clients. Less aggressive. |
| Mandrel + sanding bands | Shaping, removing gel polish, prep on natural nail | Disposable bands for hygiene. Replace between clients. |
Bit shapes and what they do
| Shape | Description | Primary use |
|---|---|---|
| Barrel / cylinder | Cylindrical, flat ends | Backfill removal, refining extension product, surface prep |
| Tapered barrel | Cylindrical with angled/tapered end | Getting into the sidewall area while maintaining product on the nail plate |
| Flame / pointed | Narrow, pointed tip | Sidewalls, cuticle area, between the cuticle and product |
| Ball | Round ball shape | Cuticle area, gentle prep around cuticle — low risk to surrounding skin |
| Cone | Cone-shaped | Cuticle work, interior of the nail sidewall |
| Bullet / teardrop | Elongated round tip | Surface refinement, product removal near cuticle area |
| Straight / flat top | Cylinder with flat top face | Product removal from the surface, especially hard gel |
| Mandrel | Stem that holds sanding bands | Accepts disposable sanding bands for gel polish prep/removal |
Grit levels explained
| Grit | Also called | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Extra coarse | Very coarse, 30–60 grit | Heavy product removal (rarely used in salon settings) |
| Coarse | 60–100 grit | Removing hard gel extensions, acrylic |
| Medium | 150–180 grit | Backfill, surface prep, product refinement |
| Fine | 240 grit | Finishing product surface before top coat; near natural nail area |
| Extra fine | 280–400+ grit | Polishing natural nail, very fine finishing |
Which bit to use when
| Task | Bit to use |
|---|---|
| Remove hard gel extension | Coarse/medium carbide barrel |
| Remove acrylic | Coarse/medium carbide barrel; slow speed |
| Remove gel polish | Medium mandrel with sanding band |
| Backfill (infill zone) | Medium carbide barrel |
| Refine product surface | Medium/fine carbide or diamond barrel |
| Cuticle area prep | Fine diamond flame or ball |
| Sidewall cleanup | Fine diamond tapered barrel or flame |
| Finishing before top coat | Fine/extra fine ceramic or diamond barrel |
| Natural nail buff | Fine sanding band or fine ceramic |
Caring for your bits
Drill bits need proper cleaning and disinfection between clients, and periodic deep cleaning to remain effective:
- Between clients: Use a metal bit-cleaning brush to remove product dust from the flutes. Then immerse in disinfectant solution for the manufacturer-recommended time.
- Weekly deep clean: Ultrasonic cleaner or soak in acetone for a few minutes, then brush, rinse, and autoclave if appropriate for your practice.
- Mandrel sanding bands: Single-use per client — replace between every client without exception. They cannot be adequately sterilised.
- When to replace: A carbide bit that pulls rather than cuts smoothly is overdue for replacement. Diamond bits last longer but lose effectiveness over time. If a bit is scratching or dragging uncomfortably, replace it.
For a guide to nail files — the manual equivalent: nail file grit guide for beginners.
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Start free →Frequently asked questions
Do I need an e-file as a nail tech?
It's not strictly necessary for gel polish services, but it significantly speeds up removal, prep, and finishing for gel extensions, acrylics, and structured manicures. Most professional nail techs who do gel or acrylic work use an e-file. It's worth investing in once you're doing regular extension clients.
What e-file drill bit should a beginner start with?
A medium-grit carbide barrel bit for backfill and refinement, and a medium-fine diamond or carbide cuticle bit for around the sidewalls and cuticle area. These two bits handle most professional tasks. Practise on practice hands before using on clients.
Can I use nail drill bits on natural nails?
Some bits are designed for use near natural nails (cuticle bits, fine-grit finishing bits). High-grit carbide barrel bits for hard gel or acrylic should not be used on the natural nail plate — they remove material too aggressively. Always use the appropriate grit for the task.
