SDS Plus Metal Bits

[SierraV6]

I’m hoping somebody can point me in the right direction here as I’m struggling! I’m after some SDS Plus bits for drilling metal (steel plate to be precise). Surely they’re available?

Thanks.

 

[8ob]

Not sure about that but you can get an SDS max chuck.

Bob

 

[Kayos]

Either adapter church it my old Bosch had a chuck you could change, never seen a metal bit with an sds fitting

 

[brightspark]

do what i do grind a proper end up on the impact drills using a green stone on grinder then they will cut metal wood and stone i bought about 30 long ones all diffrent sizes quality makes for 2 quid a piece from boot sales just sharpen them when needed . its just the same as the bosh mulidrills but for free

 

[JMS1972]

I’m hoping somebody can point me in the right direction here as I’m struggling! I’m after some SDS Plus bits for drilling metal (steel plate to be precise). Surely they’re available?

Thanks.

I've sharpened the tip to make effectively a spade drill and had good results.

Damm @brightspark beat me to it!

 

[SierraV6]

I’m not keen on the adapter chuck as it will make the whole thing even more bulky.

Thanks @brightspark and @JMS1972 I hadn’t thought of that!

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Not sure you'll find any, the idea of sds is it allows the bit to float and the hammer action to do its thing, you want a hss metal bit to be held firmly and not wobble about, get a sds adapter and chuck

 

[Gragson]

I thought I had a few that came in a set, but they work with an sds 1/4" bit adapter pictured.

 

[SierraV6]

Not sure you'll find any, the idea of sds is it allows the bit to float and the hammer action to do its thing, you want a hss metal bit to be held firmly and not wobble about, get a sds adapter and chuck

Actually that’s a good point. To be honest the only reason I thought of this is that I have a nice Hitachi SDS that doesn’t see a lot of use, whereas my vintage B&D arm-breaker sees regular action. I thought there may be an opportunity to “modernise” but perhaps not!

 

[brightspark]

Not sure you'll find any, the idea of sds is it allows the bit to float and the hammer action to do its thing, you want a hss metal bit to be held firmly and not wobble about, get a sds adapter and chuck

all the sds drills i have you get rotary and rotary hammer . even if u got the sds chuck adapator they still wobble a bit

 

[timgunn1962]

HSS twist drills on an SDS shank certainly used to be available 15 or 20 years ago. I still have 3 or 4 that I think came from RS, probably in the 1990s. I looked pretty hard for them online a year or two back with no success whatsoever, despite knowing with absolute certainty that they are/were a real thing. I used to use them for site work where, for a series of holes, it was easier to drill pilot holes with a conventional battery drill, then step up to final size with the SDS drill and avoid faffing about with the chuck.

There is a set from Makita that is apparently still available, but it's pricy and small.

Makita B-59243 5 Pc. Assorted SDS-Plus Drill Bit Set, Metal, Wood : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop Makita B-59243 5 Pc. Assorted SDS-Plus Drill Bit Set, Metal, Wood.

www.amazon.co.uk

Individuals

SDS+ HSS-TIN Metal Drill Bit

Products

makitauk.com

I couldn't see any markings on my old ones to give any clues to the maker (or even the sizes). The ones that have survived are around 8mm, but I'm sure I also had them to drill clearance holes for M12 and I'm fairly sure I had tapping drills for M12 too.

 

[SierraV6]

HSS twist drills on an SDS shank certainly used to be available 15 or 20 years ago. I still have 3 or 4 that I think came from RS, probably in the 1990s. I looked pretty hard for them online a year or two back with no success whatsoever, despite knowing with absolute certainty that they are/were a real thing. I used to use them for site work where, for a series of holes, it was easier to drill pilot holes with a conventional battery drill, then step up to final size with the SDS drill and avoid faffing about with the chuck.

There is a set from Makita that is apparently still available, but it's pricy and small.

Makita B-59243 5 Pc. Assorted SDS-Plus Drill Bit Set, Metal, Wood : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop Makita B-59243 5 Pc. Assorted SDS-Plus Drill Bit Set, Metal, Wood.

www.amazon.co.uk

Individuals

SDS+ HSS-TIN Metal Drill Bit

Products

makitauk.com

I couldn't see any markings on my old ones to give any clues to the maker (or even the sizes). The ones that have survived are around 8mm, but I'm sure I also had them to drill clearance holes for M12 and I'm fairly sure I had tapping drills for M12 too.

Interesting, thanks.

I think I’ll stick to using the old B&D for heavy work but I’m pleased I asked the question.

 

[MattF]

all the sds drills i have you get rotary and rotary hammer . even if u got the sds chuck adapator they still wobble a bit

This is where the drills with interchangeable chucks come in useful. I know at least Bosch & Metabo do them. A drill where you can fit either a SDS else standard chuck to it.

 

[Hitch]

Speeds will be a bit off for drilling metal with an sds machine.

You could sharpen bits up etc or use adaptors, but it'll be harder work than itbshould be.

 

[roofman]

You can with a green stone re-shape your masonry bits to cut steel as brightspark has stated...those things they sell on the shopping channels that cut brake discs and then bricks...just like these fellas
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpen-1720...locphy=1006523&hvtargid=pla-421549235960&th=1

 

[SierraV6]

Speeds will be a bit off for drilling metal with an sds machine.

You could sharpen bits up etc or use adaptors, but it'll be harder work than itbshould be.

Tell me more…. My SDS goes up to 1,100rpm which is faster than the drill I’m using, and probably faster than required?

(I’m genuinely interested in your thoughts by the way).

 

[Hitch]

Tell me more…. My SDS goes up to 1,100rpm which is faster than the drill I’m using, and probably faster than required?

(I’m genuinely interested in your thoughts by the way).

For an odd couple of holes in something when you already have it out, I'd say yeah, go for it.
Some SDS machines run much slower rpms than yours.

So say a 4/5 mm bit, you're on the low side, but workable.

Say a 14mm bit, you're a bit fast. Yeah you can vary it a bit with the trigger I gather, but it's not like having a variable speed drill with a couple of gears too. Your running the drill under high load, but at slow speeds.

I used to see it all the time, builders struggling to drill holes in steel with sds adaptors, cordless drills.. using the right drill for the job makes things much easier.

 

[SierraV6]

For an odd couple of holes in something when you already have it out, I'd say yeah, go for it.
Some SDS machines run much slower rpms than yours.

So say a 4/5 mm bit, you're on the low side, but workable.

Say a 14mm bit, you're a bit fast. Yeah you can vary it a bit with the trigger I gather, but it's not like having a variable speed drill with a couple of gears too. Your running the drill under high load, but at slow speeds.

I used to see it all the time, builders struggling to drill holes in steel with sds adaptors, cordless drills.. using the right drill for the job makes things much easier.

Ah I see what you mean. For info I’d be using it specifically to drill 10/12mm holes in 6-10mm plate. On paper I thought it would be ideal but it doesn’t seem like it’s worth the hassle given my old B&D works perfectly well. It’s just not exactly user friendly (and decidedly unfriendly at times!)….

 

[hotponyshoes]

This is where the drills with interchangeable chucks come in useful. I know at least Bosch & Metabo do them. A drill where you can fit either a SDS else standard chuck to it.

The metabo ones are great, sometimes I will stick a pilot, full size and countersink bit in 3 chucks and just swap them round when going through the job.
Not as quick as just setting 3 drills up but if you are going up a ladder or something it's lovely to use..