What is an SDS Drill?

An SDS drill should be in every tool kit. Differing from a conventional hammer drill, it can deliver greater blow per minute and has additional safety features, which make it the most attractive tool for any heavy-duty work.

What does SDS stand for?

SDS stands for ‘Slotted Drive System’. It is also sometimes called Slotted Drive Shaft or Special Direct System. It refers to how the SDS chucks and SDS drill bits work. This system is how the drill produces the extra force and torque needed to drill through harder materials.

What is an SDS drill?

An SDS drill is a powerful and versatile drill. An SDS drill combines the rotary motion of a standard drill with a hammering action. Hammer drills have chucks that move back and forth to apply the hammer action.

The SDS chuck design differs, as it possesses specialist drill additions to eliminate the possibility of the drill slipping while it is working. The additional bits are also made to withstand the force of the added hammer action being more advanced than standard drill bits.

How does an SDS drill work?

SDS drills have a special chuck with a hammer mechanism inside. A ‘chuck’ refers to the part that holds the rotating element at the end of the drill.

The SDS drill bits feature indentations along their shaft that fit between two ball bearings within the chuck. This allows them to move back and forth, delivering a greater force than a standard drill.

An SDS drill has more concentred power for a faster and more effective drilling action.

What can an SDS drill be used for?

SDS drills are typically used for drilling through materials, either for DIY projects or on-site use. They are most suitable for concrete, brickwork, block, steel, and other hard materials. They make light work of jobs that a standard rotary drill or hammer drill would struggle to finish.

The majority of SDS drill models come with three options:

Rotary Function:

This allows the end of the drill, or the ‘chuck’ to turn without any hammering action. This is ideal for softer materials such as wood.

Hammer function:

The drill will move back and forward, but the chuck does not turn. This function is great for breaking or chiselling concrete or masonry.

SDS (or Rotary-Hammer Function):

This mode combines the Rotary and Hammer functions and is what makes the SDS a powerful tool. This is ideal for the hardest tasks, like breaking up tough material and drilling holes into hard walls.

What are the different types of Drills?

The separate functions of the SDS drill above, all denote separate functions of different drill models available. This includes;

Hammer Drill:

Hammer drills combine the rotary action of a standard drill with a hammering action. Contrasting an SDS drill, a hammer drill delivers this function with the whole chuck moving back and forward. This is less efficient and less powerful than what the SDS can provide.

Percussion Drill:

Like hammer drills, percussion drills produce a hammering action but rotate while they do it. This provides a fast more effective way of drilling into tough materials.

The action is different from a hammer drill, as a percussion drill produces its hammering action through the rotation of the chuck.

The benefits of using an SDS drill?

The majority of the benefits of an SDS drill lie in its power and versatility of use. The other major benefits are:

• SDS can be powered by an electric or cordless supply. This allows it to be used on all types of sites, regardless of proximity to power sockets.
• The range and strength of each mode allow the user to effortlessly switch to the best option of their application.
• Combines the best parts of other standard drills, drilling through the hardest material more efficiently.

What is the difference between SDS plus and SDS Max?

The most popular type of modern SDS drill is an SDS plus drill or (SDS+). There are also the SDS Max drills which have larger drill bits with more indentations on them than the SDS plus. The SDS Max is generally used for heavier-duty work on masonry and rock. Heavy-Duty combination hammers are generally SDS Max drills that use SDS drill bits.

Can you use SDS drill bits in a normal drill?

You cannot use SDS drill bits on a standard drill. The standard drill is not designed to incorporate SDS drill bits. If you attempt to use SDS drill bits in a standard drill, they can come loose, leading to possible injury, and lowering the standard of your work.

Equally, you should not use standard rotary drill bits in an SDS drill for the same reason. You can, however, use SDS chuck adaptors with many SDS drills, which then allows them to take standard drill bits.

You should only use an SDS drill with an adaptor and standard drill bits in rotary mode, with the hammer action switched off.

SDS drill safety tips

An SDS drill is a power tool so should always be used in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines, as they are specific to the model. Additionally, when using an SDS drill you should:

• Always wear the correct PPE. This includes safety goggles, boots, and other protective clothing.
• Before beginning always inspect the drill and drill bits to make sure they are in good working order and correct for the job.
• Ensure the drill is free from dirt. A build of grit and dirt can affect the mechanisms and create a bad finish on your work.

Where can I get an SDS drill?

SDS drills are powerful, and we believe, indispensable for any tough DIY or professional jobs. The price and weight of the machinery can sometimes deter people from trying them. Don’t let these factors stop your project.

We have a range of SDS drills available for hire nationwide. Our range includes light duty and heavy duty 110v SDS+ models and a 36v cordless range that comes with a 240v charger.

We also offer SDS Max combination hammer drills available for more challenging work.

With our advice, book your SDS drill hire slot online and collect the drill or have it delivered to your site. It could not be easier to get this powerful tool working for you.