Have an 18v Makita for everyday stuff but it lacks the power for hard brick. Would like to pop out and get one this afternoon but am having trouble finding a decent but inexpensive spec. Don’t need full on SDS for smashing concrete etc.

Any recommendations? Ta

My 18V Dewalt from B&Q seems to go through hard brick pretty well. It seems to have a lot more power than my older drill. Probably due to the Li-Ion batteries vs the older Ni-Cad type.

A good set of drill bits can make a difference- the pale blue Bosch ones that I forget the name of work well for me. A 2kg mains drill is more effective than the bog standard ones. If you don’t plan to do demolition and chasing then sds drill without rotory stop are usually a bit cheaper, but then you need new drill bits.

There’s nothing to stop you using an sds bit in a regular chuck though, so try good quality sds bits in your existing drill and if that doesn’t do the trick at least you’ve got good bits if you then invest in a mains drill

As above; Bosch Multi Construction bits. Like these…

http://www.axminster.co.uk/bosch-set-of-4-multi-construction-drill-bits

^ that’s the fellas. Get some of them in an sds flavour, and if they’re not enough of an improvement on their own you can still use them with an sds if you decide to upgrade.

Also… Just because there is a hammer setting on a drill driver it doesn’t always help to use it. In some instances I use those b

bosch blue bits +1

will work v well without hammer action so useable with drill/drivers.

I had the same problem with an 18v drill. I know you don’t want an sds drill but I bought one of these & it’s been brilliant for home use. http://www.diy.com/departments/bosch-22kg-sds-plus-rotary-hammer-drill-06033a9370/174057_BQ.prd

Thing is an SDS drill typically has a different hammer action, and it’s the ‘thump’ that does the work. A cheap SDS drill with a half decent bit will drill into engineering bricks happily.

If you don’t want to go down that route then keep the new drill bit sharper for longer by quenching the tip in a bowl of water regularly.

You might not want/need an SDS, but you can buy one (with drills) for the price of a couple of masonry drills.

Just get one.

My Aldi SDS performs brilliantly, picked it up last September for around £50. Used in conjunction with my 18v Makita I’m yet to find anything they can’t get through. This is from someone who lives in an old stone terrace with 1 metre thick walls!

If you don’t want to go down that route then keep the new drill bit sharper for longer by quenching the tip in a bowl of water regularly.

All you will achieve doing this is to put the carbide tip into thermal shock. Don’t use anything harsher than a light air blast on a masonry drill unless you can keep it immersed during drilling. A vacuum cleaner hose next to the hole as you are drilling is best way to keep hole clear and the bit cool.

You already have an 18V makita battery and charger…so the answer is easy. Buy the bottom of the range Makita LXT SDS drill as a naked drill (no case, no charger, no battery). I am gradually going fully Makita at home, no SDS yet.

This one?

http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Makita%20Dhr202Z%200088381093262%2018V%20Sds%20Plus%20Lxt%20Hammer%20Drill%20Bare%20Unit

Don’t need full on SDS for smashing concrete etc.

SDS is far better for drilling anything hard anyway.

It allows for a more powerful and effective hammer action because the drill bit can move backwards and forwards independently, the hammer force can be applied straight to the drill bit and not through the chuck.

SDS all the way. Proper hammer action, much better than a drill with a switch that just seems to make more noise.

SDS + is the one that has a rotation stop for chisel bits, they are good too 🙂

Slight thread hijack.. I was also looking for a sds drill around £100..
Anything better than this bosch
http://www.tools4trade.co.uk/bosch-gbh2-26dre-2-kilo-rotary-hammer-with-sds-plus-holder-gbh-2-26-dre-0611253742-240v-p-98761

I’ve got a Bosch very similar to that, however its 11 years old. Its been used for drilling through cavity/flint/concrete walls, mixing plaster/floor levelling with a big mixing attachment and also I’ve done a fair bit of core drilling with it which has snatched away at it and caused the gearbox to slip, and got it so hot that I’ve grease dripping out of it.

Its now on occasional duties as it doesn’t work at all angles, thought the motor bushings were worn but today I realised it cuts out when the lead is pulled so hopefully its just the cable is fractured (as I’ve already checked the switch and its a sealed unit)

Reckon I’ve for a very similar Bosch to that. Its a sound bit if kit.

SDS + is the one that has a rotation stop for chisel bits, they are good too

“SDS” is the bit engagement mechanism, not the hammer action.

There’s quite a few SDS models out there without the rotation lock. Makes for an interesting chiselling technique….

Whats the difference between SDS and SDS+?

most SDS you see is actually SDS plus now

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_bit_shank#SDS_shank

Whats the difference between SDS and SDS+?

SDS+ really brings the secondary raynauds syndrome alive

Go Sds. My top end 18v Makita wouldn’t touch concrete. Bought a cheap dealt Sds
http://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-d25013n-gb-2kg-sds-hammer-drill-240v/92018
And it makes light work of it.

If you’re not using it frequently this thing is an amazing deal given all the bits included

http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb279sds-5kg-sds-plus-drill-240v/55660