Selecting Carbide Bits

 

What Is The Difference Between Carbide And Diamond Bits?

Carbide bits have flutes cut into them that provide the cutting power. The more the flutes the finer the cut. A carbide bit cuts like a potato peeler leaving the surface smooth while filing it down.

A diamond bit is a shank that adhesive is applied to and it is then rolled into diamond material that dries on the shank. The diamond particles file the nails as a hand file would by scratching the surface and ultimately filing it down. The diamond particles may wear down but never looses it sharpness.

Which Bit Should I Use For A Backfill?

Backfill bits are usually a cut down version of a barrel bit. The original purposes was to remove only the area that needed white replaced by using the but over the smile line are. However this proved not to be a good technique because the newly applied white tip powder would be brighter than the old and it would not match. That is why originally there were 2 week and 4 week back fill bits one being smaller than the other based on the growth that needed to be replaced. Now you can use either smile line scriber, backfill bit or a barrel bit. You must have a sharp edge to the top of the barrel to make a clean cut. So use what is comfortable, they all do the job.

Which Bit Should I Use For The Cuticle Area?

Preferably a cone shaped rounded tipped fine or medium carbide bit. Hold the bit so it makes contact with the whole nail as you use it to assure your angle is correct and bevel the product so it graduates downwards nicely to remove all the extra product for refining the cuticle area or prepping the nail for a fill.

 

Carbide Bit Sanitation

Many nail techs have asked about the proper way to disinfect drill bits. There is a specific protocol, which is to treat your bits the same as your metal implements and adopt the same procedures for sanitation and disinfection. Never use the same bit on more than one client without cleaning and disinfecting it prior to the service.

Step 1
Start by removing the dust and artificial nail products such as acrylic from the bit with a wire or clean stiff nail brush. Once you have done that if there is any remaining acrylic product stuck in the flutes of the bit, soak it in acetone for a few minutes then brush the melted acrylic out of the flutes.

Step 2
With a nylon nailbrush wash the bits with warm soapy water and rinse well. It’s important that you clean the bits before you disinfect them. If you do not you degrade the efficacy of the disinfection solution and your really not disinfecting properly.

Step 3
Submerge the washed buts bits into the Ultrasonic Disinfection Unit (Make Sure The Disinfection Solution Is Mixed According To The Manufacturers Instructions). The entire bit, shank and all, is to be completely submerged under the level of liquid for disinfection. Close the lid on the Ultrasonic Disinfection Unit and switch it to the ON position. Bits should remain in Solution per your State Board required time. Do not leave the bits in the disinfection solution any longer than the required time otherwise they may rust. If they do rust replace the bit with a new one.

Step 4
Remove the bits from the disinfectant, rinse and dry well with a clean towel.

Step 5
Store the clean bits in a dust free closed container marked: “Disinfected”

NOTE: Acetone is not a recognized EPA registered disinfectant and DOES NOT disinfect the bits when soaked in acetone.

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