spamlet wrote:

What does 'SDS' mean anyway? 'Define: SDS' in google comes up with
nothing about drills.

Its the initial letters of 3 German words which mean 'insert, twist, lock',
or something like that. It can also apply to tool free blade change on a
jigsaw.

What is it that makes 'SDS' able to do a job that a 'hammer' drill
won't?

In our context the SDS chuck & drill shank allow movement of roughly 15mm in
and out - and also ensure the bit can't slip as it rotates.

The back of said bit is then thumped as it spins by a pnuematic piston
inside the drill.

A normal 'hammer' drill more or less just vibrates back & forth, an SDS
applies much more energy.

Chalk & cheese in use, concrete lintels, hard render, engineering bricks
will cause the bit to burn out on a hammer drill before the hole even
starts. SDS will sail through difficult materials like a knife through
butter. You have to try it to believe it.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk