Carbide drills wear only a few inches on the stone. Why make an 18" bit if you can't use a 2" or 3" bit? Tried to sharpen them - to no avail. Not suitable for softer rock. Might be ok on concrete but a waste of $$$$ on Flagstone and other softer stones I use. For me there is no more De Walt. A long time ago they were good, but apparently those days are over.