Hi peeps

Im looking into getting an SDS drill and the more I look into it the more my head hurts.
There seems to be different types of SDS drills and I dont really understand the differences (hammer, combi, combi hammer etc) only having had basic use for a drill before I took up tiling . Also are the cordless ones any good?

cheers
MissyT

Happy New Year to you all.

Hi MissyT

will all depend on what you plan to use the drill for.
There are 3 functions , drill only , hammer only and Hammer + Drill. While I don't tile professionally I have 3 SDs Drill of various weights and funcations, a Hilti which has the Drill + hammer drill function, a Ryobi which has all 3 and is a good all round SDS but lacks punch when is comes to using the hammer funcation and a Heavier ryobi, which packs enough punch to chase out walls for cables etc All 110v. The Beauty of the cordless is portablility but again depneding on the power pack - Get Litium ion if possible and 18+ volts if cordless is your preference.
I use the Hilti for mixing adhesive and drilling tiles as it has good torque and a low variable speed range.

Makita, Hilti and Ryobi are my preferences and they haven't let me down.

Again all down to personal choice, and if you want something to do all round or a specific job. hope this helps.

Nice reply polished....say hi to the members in the new members forum...listed on the home page..

I sense the need for an introduction to SDS-type tools....


SDS stands for "Special Direct System" and was developed by Bosch in the 1970's. It is a shank/chuck system for demolition hammers, and rotary hammers.

There are three standard variations.

• SDS+ - 10mm shank designed for hammers up to 4kg.
• SDS-top - 14mm shank designed for hammers between 2 and 5kg.
• SDS-max - Largest, with an 18mm shank, and it's designed for hammers weighing over 5kg.

Tools using the SDS-system normally have one, two, or three modes. If it's just one, it's normally a demolition hammer; two, and it's normally a rotary hammer, where mode 1 is rotation with hammering, and mode 2 is just rotation; three mode tools are often called "combi hammers", or "roto-stop drills/hammers". They have the all the three modes previously stated.

The size of the shank/chuck denote the power, size, and weight of the tool, and thus, SDS+ tools are normally the smallest of the bunch, where as SDS-max are normally the largest. SDS-top is uncommon.

SDS+ tools are normally in the power range of 1-5 joules per individual stroke, and SDS-max tools are normally in the power range of about 8-20. Combi hammers are normally weaker at pure chiseling than pure demolition hammers.

Cheap SDS-type tools are normally not particularly ergonomical to work with; they have poor hand-arm vibration dampening. They also tend to burn out during long working sessions.
Newer, high end SDS-type tools often come equipped with active vibration dampening. The later allow you to work longer with them, without negative effect on your health, assuming you take stanadard precautions, such as wearing thick gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask.

There are many, many different types of chisels and drills availible. From simple pointed chisels used for making holes in concrete and masonry, to wide agnled bolster type chisels for removing tiles, and flexible blade "knives", used for removing soft and/or brittle floor and wall coverings or residues.

Here ends this introduction to SDS-type tools

Many thanks for all the info, its starting to make sense.
I'd be wanting to use it for chiseling and tile removal so I suppose an SDS rotary hammer would do (I think!).

cheers me dears

missyT