What to Know About SDS Max Drill Bits?

SDS Max drill bit is a concrete drill bit. It has an 18mm wide diameter and is extremely used for harder materials such as concrete, stones, bricks, and concrete with rebars. Normally, the SDS max drill bit is used on bulldog rotary hammers. SDS max drill bit has a 5 rail shank geometry, and it helps to remain the drill bit in the chuck and move it forward and backward with high efficiency.

The SDS max drill bit is wider than both SDS and SDS plus drill bits. Some SDS max drill bits are chisels and some are hole cutters. Due to the higher torque, these bits can be used on many hard materials. Normally, SDS max drill bits are more than 20% more efficient than SDS plus drill bits.

What is SDS Max Drill Bit?

SDS Max drill bit is a type of masonry drill bit, designed for heavy-duty use in construction and demolition. The SDS refers to the “Slotted Drive System” which allows the bit to slide in the chuck while being held in place by ball bearings. The “Max” refers to the larger shank design, which provides a more secure hold and allows for the transfer of more energy from the drill to the bit.

SDS Max Drill Bits come in a variety of sizes, both in terms of diameter and length. The diameter can range from 12mm to 40mm, and the length can range from 260mm to 600mm. This range of sizes allows for a wide variety of applications, from drilling small holes for fixtures to breaking up large areas of concrete.

SDS Max Drill Bits are typically made from high-grade steel, often with a carbide tip for added durability. This ensures that the bit can withstand the heavy-duty use it’s designed for.

The geometry of the SDS Max Drill Bit is designed to maximize the transfer of energy from the drill to the bit. The shank is slotted to allow for the bit to slide in the chuck, and the tip is often shaped to facilitate effective drilling or chiseling.

The main purposes of SDS Max Drill Bits are drilling and chiseling in heavy-duty applications. This can include drilling holes in concrete for fixtures or anchors, breaking up concrete or masonry for demolition, or chiseling out channels for wiring or plumbing.

When using SDS max drill bits users often report that SDS Max Drill Bits provide a superior experience compared to other drill bits for heavy-duty applications. The larger shank design allows for a more secure hold and greater transfer of energy, which can make drilling or chiselling more efficient. However, SDS Max Drill Bits are not suitable for all applications and may not fit in standard drills.

What Is The Geometry of SDS Max Drill Bit?

The SDS Max drill bit has a geometry designed for heavy-duty drilling applications in hard materials such as concrete, masonry, and stone. It is characterized by a shank that is larger in diameter than the drill bit itself, which provides greater stability and transfer of torque.

The SDS Max drill bit has a 4-spiral flute design that provides efficient debris removal and reduces the chance of bit binding. 

The SDS Max drill bit also has a length measurement that refers to the usable length of the bit. This measurement typically ranges from 8 inches to 24 inches, depending on the size and application of the drill bit.

What are the Types of SDS Max Drill Bits?

These are the most available SDS Max drill bits.

SDS Max Chisel Bits – These are SDS Max drill bits with a flat chisel tip, designed for chiselling and demolition work in concrete and masonry.

SDS Max Core Bits – These are hollow SDS Max drill bits, designed for drilling large diameter holes in concrete and masonry. Core bits are available in a range of diameters and can be used for drilling holes for pipes, wires, and other applications.

SDS Max Rebar Cutters – These are SDS Max drill bits with a specialized cutting tip, designed for cutting through reinforced concrete and rebar.

SDS Max Clay Spades – These are SDS Max drill bits with a flat blade, designed for digging in soil, clay, and other soft materials.

Types of SDS max drill bits
Types of SDS Max bits

How Deep Can An SDS Max Drill Bit Can Drill?

SDS Max drill bits are available in various lengths, ranging from 8 inches to 24 inches or more, depending on the diameter of the bit. The length of the drill bit determines the maximum drilling depth that can be achieved.

For example, a 1-inch SDS Max drill bit with a length of 18 inches can typically drill to a maximum depth of around 16 inches, while a 2-inch SDS Max drill bit with a length of 24 inches can drill to a maximum depth of around 22 inches.

It is important to note that the maximum drilling depth also depends on the power of the rotary hammer drill being used. A more powerful drill can provide more torque and speed, which can enable deeper drilling.

What Are The Manufactured Material Of SDS Max Drills?

SDS Max drills are made of high-quality materials to ensure durability and long life, as they are designed for heavy-duty drilling applications in hard materials such as concrete, masonry, and stone.

The shank of SDS Max drills is typically made of high-grade steel, which provides strength and stability during drilling. The steel is usually heat-treated to enhance its hardness, toughness, and wear resistance.

The tip of the SDS Max drill bit is typically made of tungsten carbide, which is a hard and durable material that can withstand high temperatures and wear. 

Some SDS Max drill bits have a body made of hardened steel to enhance their durability and resistance to wear, while others may have a body made of diamond segments for drilling in extremely hard materials such as reinforced concrete.

In addition, some SDS Max drill bits may be coated with special materials such as diamond or titanium nitride to enhance their performance and increase their resistance to wear and corrosion.

Where To Use SDS Max Drill Bit?

SDS max drill and bit
SDS Max drill bits can be used on many hard materials such as bricks, stones, concrete, and also concrete with rebars

SDS Max is a masonry drill bit which has designed for heavy-duty drilling in hard materials like concrete, brick, and stone. 

Here are some common applications where SDS Max drill bits are used:

  1. Drilling into concrete for anchor bolts, rebar, and other structural fasteners.
  2. Creating holes for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC installations
  3. Creating openings for windows and doors in masonry walls
  4. Demolishing concrete and other tough materials using a chipping hammer or demolition hammer attachment

Can SDS Max Drill Bits Be Used In Regular Drills?

No, SDS Max drill bits cannot be used in regular drills because they are designed to be used with specific rotary hammer drills that have SDS Max chucks. The shank size of SDS Max drill bits is larger than the shank size of regular drill bits, which means they cannot fit into regular drill chucks.

Using an SDS Max drill bit in a regular drill can result in damage to the drill bit, the drill chuck, or both, and can also result in poor drilling performance and safety hazards. It’s important to use the appropriate type of drill bit for the specific drilling application and to use the appropriate power tool for the drill bit to achieve the best results.

Can An SDS Max Drill Bit Sharpen?

Yes, SDS Max drill bits can be sharpened, but it requires specialized equipment and expertise to do so. SDS Max drill bits are made of hard and durable materials, such as tungsten carbide, which can be sharpened using a diamond grinding wheel or a specialized sharpening machine.

Sharpening an SDS Max drill bit requires the bit to be held securely in place, while the grinding wheel or machine removes a small amount of material from the tip of the bit. The angle and shape of the tip must be carefully maintained during the sharpening process to ensure proper drilling performance.

It’s important to note that over-sharpening an SDS Max drill bit can weaken the tip and reduce its overall lifespan. Therefore, it’s recommended to have SDS Max drill bits sharpened by a professional who has the necessary equipment and expertise to ensure that the bit is sharpened properly and safely.

What are the Differences Between SDS Max Vs SDS Plus Drill Bits?

SDS plus and SDS max drill-bits
SDS Plus and SDS Max drill bits

The choice between SDS Max and SDS Plus drill bits depends on the specific drilling application and the type of tool being used. Here are some key differences between the two types of drill bits:

Shank size difference between SDS Plus and SDS Max – The shank of SDS Max drill bits is larger than that of SDS Plus drill bits, which makes them more stable and suitable for heavy-duty drilling applications.

Power and speed difference between SDS Plus and SDS Max – SDS Max drill bits are designed for use with more powerful rotary hammer drills than SDS Plus drill bits, which means they can drill faster and deeper into hard materials.

Drilling Capacity difference between SDS Plus and SDS Max – SDS Max drill bits are generally larger and longer than SDS Plus drill bits, which means they can drill larger holes and deeper holes in hard materials.

Versatility difference between SDS Plus and SDS Max – SDS Plus drill bits can be used with both SDS Plus and SDS Max chucks, as well as with adapters for standard chucks, making them more versatile than SDS Max drill bits.

Overall, SDS Max drill bits are better suited for heavy-duty drilling applications in hard materials where power and stability are critical, while SDS Plus drill bits are more versatile and can be used for a wider range of drilling tasks. However, it’s important to choose the right type of drill bit for the specific drilling application to achieve the best results.


Tom Mackency

Tom Mackency

Hi, I am Tom Mackency. It has been 10 years that I have been working as a professional woodworker since 2013. I am really enjoying my carrier by creating many kinds of projects in my workshop. But mostly I like for home improvement projects. Home improvement and DIY projects are the most interesting things for me. More than that, the coolest things are power tools. Those are very precious and efficient than a decade ago. So I try to introduce so many things about power tools, woodworking, DIY projects, home improvement and many more interesting topics here.


Leave a Comment