SDS drill recommendations

[Al Erskine]

Hello to all,

 

Al here, new member based in Saintfield, N.Ireland. 
 

We bought a 200 year old single storey cottage a year ago and are gradually sorting it out. It’s in reasonable condition, although with 3 foot stone walls and the wrong internal and external plaster, we have damp issues here and there. 
 

I was looking for recommendations on an SDS drill that could cover the following jobs:

 

1. Drill through 3 foot external walls

 

2. Remove external plaster to expose original stone

 

3. Dig out old fireplace, creating opening for wood burner

 

I guess the criteria for decision are:

 

1. Power/capability

2. Weight

3. Price 

 

I don’t have a bag of money so can’t really afford to go for the big brands that cost many hundreds. I also don’t think I need wireless. So I was looking at this one:

 

https://amzn.eu/d/frt4otf
 

If the link doesn’t work, it’s an Einhell SDS Max, just over 1000w and 10 joule impact force. Amazon slightly cheaper than Screwfix at £171. 
 

I am thinking SDS Max because it will need to push a 3 foot drill through our thick walls. But I am concerned that it will be a heavy beast, (7.45kg) and will be a pain for plaster removal.  I sit at a desk for the day job and already have tennis elbow on my left arm (boohoo).

 

I guess the other alternative is to get someone else to drill the wall hole and buy something a bit lighter for plaster removal. I’ve dug out a test section of the outer plaster with a standard hammer drill and it’s pretty sandy so hopefully will come off easily enough.  I have opted for DeWalt cordless for five other tools and have three batteries, although I suspect using cordless for external plaster removal will go through batteries too quickly. 
 

So, that’s my first question of many to come. Hope it’s in the right place. 
 

cheers,

 

Al

 

[joe90]

I have one of these and it does all the jobs without being too heavy, taking plaster off is not like breaking concrete requiring bigger machines. Three function and a really good brand

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-d25133k-gb-2-6kg-electric-sds-plus-drill-240v/2864J?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPzDhCkC0Xof8pW2Em0GR_Nyn&gclid=Cj0KCQiAouG5BhDBARIsAOc08RRANJoOM87qThkuWGelOOuc7IRBKxAOM7TJhU8vkL0hfINdbS1guiwaAtG7EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[dpmiller]

I've a set of 1m SDS+ bits that work well, even in the DeWalt cordless SDS

[joe90]

Beware of cheap long SDS drill bits, some are not hardened properly and can rivet over in the chuck and cannot be removed (ask me how I know!!,).

[saveasteading]

I've been reading up on sds plus or max this week.

That's because we have to make hundreds of small holes  for 12mm studs tying existing and new slabs together.

 

Sds max appears to be very much heavier duty, for wide diameters.

 

So for our small holes we can use my battery Einhell and our groundworker's battery one shuch I think is milwaukee.

But I have found that the bit quality is even more important. So I have ordered 2 from the BM and more from a specialist online.  I'll report back.

 

For a few very big holes I'd suggest hiring an SDS max and buying a new bit ( or hiring if the price  is ok).

 

You'll always get a hire at half the published price, and it should be quick.  Ask for one day and they might throw in a few more days.

 

 

Edited Saturday at 11:28 by saveasteading

[saveasteading]

Nerdy extra

Invented by Bosch 

SDS short for “Steck-Dreh-Sitz”,

Insert_twist_ secure

later “Spannen durch System” and today “Special Direct System”. 

[Al Erskine]

Thanks all,

 

I hadn’t thought of the hiring option. That’s a good idea and then I can buy the lighter SDS Plus. 
 

cheers,

 

Al