Help picking a new SDS battery drill - Day 3

David1977m · Aug 21, 2024

Good morning I'm after a new battery operated SDS drill.

I currently have a Bosch SDS hammer drill 240v that I bought 10-15 years ago for home use, however after being in Electrical vehicle engineering, I'm now doing L3 Electrical Installation and realised I'm going to need a battery SDS. I already have Milwaukee 18v and 12v battery system so was thinking it would be better for a Milwaukee SDS, but which one is the question. The price isn't an issue, but I have no clue if I should be looking at more impact joules of faster chiselling speed. I've added the Milwaukee chart to help. If you asked me about lathe or milling of metal I'm your expert but not SDS drilling and chasing.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Help picking a new SDS battery drill - Day 3

littlespark · Aug 22, 2024

You’ve got the brand sorted, so it’s down to physical size and usage.

Are you going to be using it for chasing out on a daily basis, or just a few fixing holes on the odd occasion?

Will it be used up a height? (Thinking weight)

I see some on your list there don’t have a chiselling speed, so can’t be used for chasing.

David1977m · Aug 22, 2024

littlespark said:
You’ve got the brand sorted, so it’s down to physical size and usage.

Are you going to be using it for chasing out on a daily basis, or just a few fixing holes on the odd occasion?

Will it be used up a height? (Thinking weight)

I see some on your list there don’t have a chiselling speed, so can’t be used for chasing.

Ideally at the moment I want to buy just one SDS which I think rules out the M12 platform and also the M18 BH from what you are saying. I will probably use it for some chasing (but if I end up doing lot of chasing in the future, I will probably end up getting a wall chaser). The main two I am looking at are the M18 ONEFHX and the M18 ONEFHPX, it will be used for drilling into brick and concrete, as well as chasing plaster and brick. As well as training to be an Electrician I own a few older properties I rent out and hope to renovate in the future. If in the future I do become a fulltime electrician I want to become a Commercial and Industrial sparky as I prefer the technical and complex work.

bill01803 · Aug 22, 2024

I have the smallest 12v which is good for rawlplugs and use single handed. I also have the ONEFHX which is very good and also the ONEFHPX which is heavy and eats batteries ( you need the 12AH) but has a lot of whack

Timbo · Aug 22, 2024

I've got the CHPX, which has taken much abuse over a few years. Including 4½" core drilling in brick.

David1977m · Aug 23, 2024

bill01803 said:
I have the smallest 12v which is good for rawlplugs and use single handed. I also have the ONEFHX which is very good and also the ONEFHPX which is heavy and eats batteries ( you need the 12AH) but has a lot of whack

Cheers Bill, so if you didn't have a cordless SDS and wasn't sure what you needed to use an SDS for, but currently know you were going to rewire and chase at least a few properties which one would you buy if it was just one you were to get to cover all for now. As for the weight difference it doesn't bother me as I shoulder press 122.5kg for 3x10 twice a week.

HappyHippyDad · Aug 23, 2024

David1977m said:
Cheers Bill, so if you didn't have a cordless SDS and wasn't sure what you needed to use an SDS for, but currently know you were going to rewire and chase at least a few properties which one would you buy if it was just one you were to get to cover all for now. As for the weight difference it doesn't bother me as I shoulder press 122.5kg for 3x10 twice a week.

I tried using my cordless 18V Makita SDS to chase out a few chases on my first rewire a number of years ago. It didn't go well. The batteries run out of power fairly quickly.

I would use a cordless SDS for chasing out plaster, or if I needed to get rid of a small amount of stone or brick. Otherwise, I would be using the corded.

I have a small SDS for drilling 5.5mm holes and a larger one for drilling longer, larger holes and (minor) chasing. If you just want one, then (as you say) it needs to be a more powerful one.

The plumber I work with uses a lot of Milwaukee and he drills all his 6mm, 7mm, 8mm (guessing) holes with his normal hammer drill. It is the 'fuel' version and drills them easily. Hence he only needs one SDS.

I haven't really answered your question though, sorry!

Teddy Lop · Sep 7, 2024

Another vote for both the biggerest and the littlerest ones, for the pluggin & the wreckin.

Also Still have a 230 for sustained use, lighter and I don't care what they claim with regards to the power of today's battery kit, 230 trumps.

mickegh · Sep 8, 2024

Some are marked brushed or brushless and some "fuel"

What does "fuel" mean

Teddy Lop · Sep 8, 2024

mickegh said:
Some are marked brushed or brushless and some "fuel"

What does "fuel" mean

Fuel is a brushless high output motor. I've got both the fuel and regular multi tools and the difference is remarkable. Wouldn't have the basic on anything.

The fuel tools also liven up under high demand when used with the high output batteries

mickegh · Sep 8, 2024

Teddy Lop said:
Fuel is a brushless high output motor. I've got both the fuel and regular multi tools and the difference is remarkable. Wouldn't have the basic on anything.

The fuel tools also liven up under high demand when used with the high output batteries

Good to know . Worth paying the extra for the 602 over 402 so

Not much difference in weight for working overhead

Yellowhammer · Oct 21, 2024

Yet another vote for the biggest and the littlest. I use the big SDS solely for chasing (you still need it if you have a chaser as it doesn't get right to the ceilings, and if you're having to chase neat boxes a multi-tool and SDS is the combo, not chaser). Having said that for pretty much everything else; fixing boxes, capping, clipping SWA, NY, EV cable etc. I use the M12 fuel sds. It is an absolute winner. It's not just a weight thing, but compact-ness when atop steps with clips, hammer, screws, plugs and an impact, or nipping about from point to point, just much less to carry. The slightly less vicious hammer is also a bit better at not blowing bricks to bits. I've drilled 20mm through cavity walls with the M12, so it doesn't lack in power.

If money isn't a big issue I'd get both! I love the Milwaukee M12 fuel kit tbh and have been buying more and more of it, some duplicating M18 kit.

Edit: Don't buy anything non-fuel..