How To Choose The Right Hammer Drill Bit: SDS Max vs. SDS Plus vs. Regular

Introduction

If you've ever tried drilling into concrete, you know that it's not for the faint of heart. I mean, it requires a lot of strength and determination to do so—not to mention the right tools. When using a hammer drill (also called a rotary hammer), though, all you need is one tool: the bit. The bit is what does the work and gets through concrete quickly and easily by breaking up any large chunks in its way. That said, there are different types of bits available on the market today, each with its own benefits and drawbacks depending on your needs as a DIYer or contractor. So before purchasing a new one or replacing an old one at home or work place here's how to choose which type works best for you...

Shop our selection of SDS Plus and Max Hammer Drill Bits.

SDS Max

SDS Max is a style of drill bit that you'll use with SDS Max hammers.  

These bits are designed for drilling in masonry and concrete, but they have a hex shank so they can only be used with an SDS Max hammer.

You should use an SDS Max bit if you want to drill holes in concrete or brick walls, as well as other materials like stone, marble and granite.

These are the most common types of drill bits you can use with a hammer drill. There are also other types, such as masonry drill bits and diamond core bits, but we'll talk about them in another article.

SDS Plus

SDS Plus, or SDS-plus, is the standard for hammer drill bits. SDS-plus bits are 2-flute and have a flat tip with a Philips drive (crosshead) at the end that allows you to use your impact wrench/power drill on them. This makes them much easier to use than regular twist drills in concrete because you don't need to apply as much pressure when drilling into cement.

The great thing about an SDS bit is that it doesn't matter which manufacturer made it—all of these types of bits will work with any power tool out there since they're all designed to fit into each other's sockets smoothly and easily without slipping off or damaging anything else in the process (unlike regular twist drills).

Regular

The regular hammer drill bit is the most common type of bit and can be used in any hammer drill. It comes in two different styles: straight shank and wobble shank. A regular hammer drill bit typically has a smooth cutting surface, which means it doesn't have any grooves like an SDS plus or SDS max bit does.

If you're looking for a general-purpose drilling bit that's going to last longer than your average run-of-the-mill bit (that is, if you don't plan on breaking your wrist with every project), then go with this one!

The only drawback to using a regular hammer drill bit is that it can’t provide as much torque as its SDS plus and SDS max counterparts. This means that you won't be able to drill into harder surfaces like concrete or brick with it—but if you're drilling into softer materials like wood, plastic and metal then this shouldn't be an issue at all.

If you have a regular hammer drill, then using a regular hammer drill bit is the best option for you. If you have an SDS plus or SDS max model and are looking for more torque, then consider switching over to those types of bits.

SDS Plus to SDS Max Adaptor

The SDS Plus to SDS Max Adaptor is a versatile tool that can be used with any sds plus drill, any sds max drill and any regular drill. It uses the same size shank as a regular drill bit, meaning that you can screw it into any sds plus or sds max chuck and use it like you would any other normal bit. The adaptor also allows you to use your impact driver with an adapter on one end and an SDS chuck on the other end.

With this adaptor, you'll have access to all three types of hammer drills listed above: SDS Max (Hammerhead), SDS Plus (Hammerhead) and Regular drills.

The adaptor allows you to use any of these drills with a regular drill bit, which can be convenient if you need to drill in a location where an impact driver isn't practical. For example, you might want to use a regular drill on your car or in tight spaces where there isn't enough room for an impact driver.

Carbide Tipped vs. Solid Carbide

Carbide tipped bits are more expensive and durable than solid carbide drills. They're great for drilling masonry and concrete, but they also work well on harder materials like wood.

There are two types of carbide tips: standard and premium. Both types will last longer than non-carbide bits, but premium tips hold up even better in high-torque applications like powder coating and glass drilling.  Regular steel bit tips will often break off after just a few holes. Carbide tips can withstand the high RPMs of an electric drill, so you’ll be able to get through the toughest jobs with less downtime.

When shopping for carbide bits, one thing to keep in mind is that they're not all created equal. Some manufacturers use cheaper materials and processes to make their bits, which can lead to premature wear or breakage.

Another thing to consider is the bit's size. You'll want a carbide tip that matches the diameter of the drill bit you're using it with—if they're too small or large, they won't fit properly and could fall out while you're working.

If you plan on drilling into hard materials like brick or concrete regularly, it’s very likely that you’ll need a carbide tipped bit. However if you only use your hammer drill occasionally for small projects around the house then regular steel is just fine.

Hammer drills are a more powerful version of the rotary hammer

Hammer drills are a more powerful version of the rotary hammer. They're able to drill through masonry and concrete like a regular rotary hammer, but they also have better torque so you can use them for drilling in hard materials, like wood and metal. The more torque you have on your drill, the easier it will be to drive the bit into tough surfaces with less effort from you.

If you need to drill into soft materials (like wood), then it's best to use a regular rotary hammer instead of a hammer drill. Rotary hammers aren't designed with as much torque as their more powerful cousins so they can't handle working with softer materials as well as they do when using harder substances such as stone or brickwork

Conclusion

In conclusion, we hope this article has helped you understand the differences between each type of drill bit. Hammer drills are a more powerful version of the rotary hammer, so if you’re looking for something that can drill through concrete and other hard materials then this tool is perfect for your needs. The biggest difference between these two types of tools is how they operate: while regular rotary hammers use an oscillating motion to cut through material like rock or brick walls at high speeds with minimal effort on behalf of the user (hence why these are also called “impact drivers”), SDS Max tools utilize "SDS Plus" technology which allows them to sink into concrete surfaces without breaking off tips like traditional drill bits would do under similar circumstances due to their hardened steel construction - but don't worry! We've covered everything else there is know about choosing one over another above...

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