SDS drill bits

[opps]

Over the last two weeks I have been drilling for curtain tracks (using red plugs).

On day number two, I must have hit the metal bar in the concrete lintel. The end of the bit became flat.

Today the SDS bit I was using just snapped (roughly towards the end of the spiral shaft). It was rather undramatic, I wasn't applying much pressure, but it just committed suicide.

From memory they were the free ones provided with a drill.

Fortunately, I had enough brown plugs to finish the job using my Bosch branded 7mm bits.

I need to buy new SDS bits- which brands would people recommend. I primarily use (Uno) yellow, red and brown plugs.

Tnx

 

[rsgaz]

I usually use Bosch or Dewalt, but I bought some Alpen bits recently and they are really good. Heller are also very good.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331769313491

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Generally available? Heller (especially the TriJet ones), Armeg, deWalt, Bosch, etc - but the absolute best are Hilti (and at the price they cost, so they should be) which is why I generally use Heller. 3- or 4-flute designs (and DW do those, too) certainly drill faster when new

 

[SammyInnit]

Gone right off Hilti recently. Had a few SDS masonry bits fail, head shearing off completely while the wear mark is still visible.

Just a week or so a go a HKD setting tool tip broke off - completely unheard of.

My cordless Hilti packed up last year - out of warranty.

I'm on my fifth Hilti PDI in 3 years. Current one is showing tell tale signs of pending failure.

Had a bucket of HKD anchors with a considerable amount missing the 'bullet' - really shoddy.

I know it's all a bit anecdotal but at the price they charge I've felt really let down by the quality of stuff I've had.

As for bits I've found good value for money in DeWalt Extreme bits. A fraction of the cost of Hilti and seem to have plenty of life in them even drilling 40N/structural concrete all day.

 

[opps]

Any one used the Makita Nemesis SDS bits? Makita claim that they will happily deal with reinforcing bars

They look very similar to the Milwaukee MX4

https://uk.milwaukeetool.eu/accessories/drilling/concrete-and-masonry/sds-plus-1/#!/1/

BTW thanks to all of you for the feedback. Much appreciated.

 

[phatboy]

I've done OK recently with the cheap UK Drills bits. They aren't the absolute best, but for the price I may as well keep spares!

 

[Mr Chibs]

+1 Heller & Bosch.

 

[ntb]

Irwin Joran for me but any decent branded ones are going to be vastly better than the monkey metal garbage that comes free with a drill.

 

[opps]

Irwin Joran for me but any decent branded ones are going to be vastly better than the monkey metal garbage that comes free with a drill.

I hadn't even realised that Irwin make SDS bits. I notice that they too make the 4 point drill bits.

I really am appreciative of the advice being given, however the idea of the 4 point bits seems to be swaying me at the moment. Not sure if I am just falling prey to slick marketing though.

I probably only use my SDS about 25 days a year so I'd rather have something that can deal with rebars and be less prone to wandering. Until I can find a suitable set up, I am holding the dust extractor hose with one hand and trying to use the other to drill with. Accuracy is more important than the speed of drilling.

 

[ntb]

I hadn't even realised that Irwin make SDS bits. I notice that they too make the 4 point drill bits.

I really am appreciative of the advice being given, however the idea of the 4 point bits seems to be swaying me at the moment. Not sure if I am just falling prey to slick marketing though.

I probably only use my SDS about 25 days a year so I'd rather have something that can deal with rebars and be less prone to wandering. Until I can find a suitable set up, I am holding the dust extractor hose with one hand and trying to use the other to drill with. Accuracy is more important than the speed of drilling.

If you do go for the 4 point, please report back, I'd like to hear your thoughts on them.

One other option may be the Bosch Multi Construction bits. I don't know if they are available as SDS, I've only used straight shank ones in my combi. They work as advertised (wood, masonry and steel) but are obviously a lot slower than SDS for masonry. I did destroy a 4mm one but i was being a bit brutal with it.

 

[SammyInnit]

Irwin make SDS

They don't, they're the same (or very similar to) the DeWalts. All made under the S,B&D production house.

 

[opps]

If you do go for the 4 point, please report back, I'd like to hear your thoughts on them.

One other option may be the Bosch Multi Construction bits. I don't know if they are available as SDS, I've only used straight shank ones in my combi. They work as advertised (wood, masonry and steel) but are obviously a lot slower than SDS for masonry. I did destroy a 4mm one but i was being a bit brutal with it.

I have used the Bosch multi bits in my combi but I wouldn't even consider trying them on anything other than red rubbers or stock bricks. Have you actually managed to use them with concrete? I assumed that they would just start to glow red.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

I really am appreciative of the advice being given, however the idea of the 4 point bits seems to be swaying me at the moment. Not sure if I am just falling prey to slick marketing though.

It isn't just marketing - 3- and 4-flute SDS drills really do deal with rebar moreeffectively

Until I can find a suitable set up, I am holding the dust extractor hose with one hand and trying to use the other to drill with. Accuracy is more important than the speed of drilling.

Bosch, Makita and DW all have SDS dust extraction accessories (interchangeable between brands) which connect to your vacuum. My Makita 18 volt cordless SDS has a clip-on extractor powered from the drill which is similar

One other option may be the Bosch Multi Construction bits. I don't know if they are available as SDS....

They're not. Can't think why they would be as SDS drills are far from ideal for drilling much other than masonry (size, weight, balance, etc) and Bosch offer a wide range of SDS bits and have done so since the early 1980s (when they introduced SDS to the world)

 

[ntb]

I have used the Bosch multi bits in my combi but I wouldn't even consider trying them on anything other than red rubbers or stock bricks. Have you actually managed to use them with concrete? I assumed that they would just start to glow red.

Yes, but very infrequently, not by choice* and not recently enough to remember very well.

*Unexpected need, SDS not with me.

 

[aptsys]

The DeWalt ones are very good. I bought one of the small sets with SDS and standard masonry bits in and only the 6mm bit is needing replacement 4 years on.