SDS vs SDS Plus vs SDS Max | What Is Right For You?

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SDS-Plus vs. SDS-Max - The SDS system has been used in Europe for a long time and has made it way over to the USA.  People still question the differences between the different style slotted bit connection system.  The name SDS comes from the German "Stecken – Drehen – Sichern" (Insert – Twist – Secure).  In German-speaking countries, the back-formation "Spannen durch System" (Clamping System) is used, though Bosch uses "Special Direct System" for international purposes.  The SDS system was designed by Bosch in 1975.  The SDS chuck system was the original with SDS Plus being an improvement on the original SDS system, but remains compatible with SDS bits, and is now the most commonly seen on the market.  SDS Max is designed for the heaviest masonry work and is not with SDS/SDS+ bits.

The difference in the bit is in the size, not necessarily in how each connects.  While all three are shaped slightly different, the size is what separates the SDS+ from the SDS Max.   SDS and SDS plus are 10 mm diameter - and interchangeable.  SDS Max is 18 mm in diameter.  That might not sound like much of a difference, but it is significant.

SDS & SDS Plus
SDS is about phased out and SDS Plus is what you will see in most stores.  Both are used with carbide drill bits from 5/32” to 1-1/8” and thin wall carbide core bits up to 4”.  There are also several types of smaller chipping and chiseling bits that work extremely well with standard SDS Rotary Hammers.  In the big box stores, you will often find smaller sets of these bits along with longer bits sold singularly.  The rotary hammer drills are listed in their description with the max capacity right in the title such as 1” SDS-Plus or 1-1/8” SDS-Plus.  These maximum sizes are solid carbide bit capacities and should be considered when purchasing a new rotary hammer drill.  While a 1-1/8” bit will fit in a ¾” SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill, it is not recommended and it will be underpowered.  If one was to drill 1-1/8" holes all day with a 1-1/8" SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill all day, they too would find it underpowered.  Think of this as a max towing capacity on a truck, running at max capacity is never going to give the user the best experience and half capacity is much better for the tool and the user.

SDS Max
SDS Max Rotary hammers are used with carbide drill bits 1/2” – 2”, thick wall carbide core bits up to 4” and thin wall up to 6”.  There are also many chipping, chiseling, bushing, cutting and digging bits that work well with the SDS Max tools.  Many of the demolition tools use the SDS-Max bits.  These bits are normally sold at commercial outlets and the bits are normally sold alone.  There is much more carbide on the SDS Max bits as the force of the hammering function is significantly greater than the SDS Plus sized drills.  Again, the max size of the rotary hammer will be listed in the tool name.  Be sure to get a larger tool than what is needed for the job.  SDS Max rotary hammers can be very heavy and tough to use overhead all day long!

Long and Short
In short, SDS plus is designed for light duty applications and SDS Max was designed more for the professional and heavy duty applications.  Be sure to properly size your tools for the tasks at hand.
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I've been watching manufacturer videos for about an hour trying to figure out what the difference between two hammer drills was and all I got was stupid music and marketing crap. You've answered all of my questions and more in five minutes, thank you!

Sean-hcsg
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This was exactly what I needed to hear. I'm in the market for a rotary hammer. I've been doing more jobs requiring one and I would rather own than rent. I could never find advice applicable to my applications, always being told to "go big". SDS Plus seems to be all I need. Thank you, now I can shop for the appropriate tools.

toddniehaus
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When I first used an sds drill many, many years ago it was a life changing discovery, what had been taking hours now took second. Love sds.

SunnybraeCroft
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Thanks for clarifying this for me and helping me make a more informed purchasing decision. Excellent presentation!

fredwehrhahn
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Sds. Plus is good for up to 3/4”....it’s rated 1 1/8”...about 3/4 of the Max output is all you should use for bits...we use Dewalt sds plus for 5/8 and 3/4 HDU hold downs, works very fast and over that we use a Hilti max...Although Flexvolt has a 1 7/8 “ coming soon at 13.3 joules...
Great videos...good info 👍🏼

joeframer
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Last remark about 2min vs 45min, sold me. I am upgrading.

samsonevickis
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Yes, for anything 3/4" and under SDS Plus works pretty well, possibly even faster than SDS Max depending on your drill. SDS Plus is a lot cheaper. I decent SDS Plus drill can be had for less than $200 (DEWALT DCH133B is a good example). Decent SDS Max drills are at least $400. The SDS Plus drills are not bad and can be pretty powerful. They will work much better than a standard hammer drill

nafnaf
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Nicely explained, easy to understand and well presented, thank-you.

tomfromoz
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very useful and clarifies some of the history/mystery of modern drilling in masonry. Good web video too.

RogerSiswick
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This was the information I was looking for. Thank you.

TheMoody
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Thank you for the valuable information for the beginner; helps to understand the products available and the capabilities.

richardmesser
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Thank you for an excellent explanation of the various sizes

peteabraham
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Thanks for the SDS lesson! I learnt something today 🤓

HifiVega
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Great video! You just took a lot of the mystery out of my most recent tool purchase!

As a DIY’er, I love me my tools (DeWalt is my drug of choice). I just scored on a “tool only” deal on the DCH133 ($142, otd via Woot) and bought that exact Bosch chisel and bit set ($32 otd on sale, Amazon).
My first use was removing carpet tack from concrete floors using that flat chisel and it’s ridiculously good at that. I’ve got various projects planned that will require holes in concrete and stucco; I expect I have all I’ll need for my purposes.

BomberoDeAcero
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Can you recommend a 4 inch core bit for SDS Plus? You said in your video that you can find them but could be hard. I can't! If you have any links/suggestions please let me know. I know it will take longer to core with SDS Plus.

johnmckeever
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Thank you, in the first 3 minutes of your video you explained or answered all my questions regarding hammer drill SDS. Thanks again, great video.

davidwood
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Thanks a million for the upload. That video answered what i was wondering and more.

SERGIO-cruy
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I didn't realize I needed a special drill to be able to use the Bosch SDS PLUS CONCRETE DRILL BIT I bought.

artincorona
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Still didn't quite catch the difference between the old SDS and the "improved" SDS+. I'm just curious as to what they changed. I have both here, and can't tell the difference.

darelldd
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Nicely done! I knew nothing about SDS before today, I feel like my brain has grown three sizes!

thomasfx