Need to buy an assortment of SDS bits.
Thank you in advance for sharing your wisdom.
Bleary-eyed having spent way too much time sifting through Breaktime and elsewhere.
Settled on a Bosch rotary hammer drill that will suit my needs. (Bulldog 11255VSR).
Plus a “HS1470 SDS Plus Viper Long Life Chisel” and “HS1465 SDS Plus Tile Chisel”.
(For heavy duty rotary drilling needs, have a Super Hawg, so decided against some of the Bosch models that offer quick change chucks, and also have an older but still very handy 12V Makita impact driver.)
Now comes selecting SDS masonry bits and I would like to get an assortment of bits in addition to the 5 or 7 bit package sold as HCK001 and HCK005, which comes with 1/2″ diameter as the largest and will probably handle the occasional drilling for Tapcon or anchor sleeves with the smaller bits in the assortment.
Some of the drilling needs will be;
Additional hose bibs for a 1950s era brick veneer wall. Basement is ‘cinder’ blocks which were not thoroughly filled with concrete.
Wasn’t difficult but time-consuming punching through it for a elec service entrance run, but this was way back when I was clueless about rotary hammers, etc. and other useful tools.
Weatherproof outlet boxes on outisde walls, which will require drilling for armored cable or conduit, and mounting screws.
Larger diameter holes or openings for send/return/power bundle for Mini-split system. The send/return copper lines will be sleeved with insulation, plus the power cable which is maybe half the size of a 12-2 romex. (The split system copper/elec lines will punch into the attic and drop down to the outside units at the gable end of the house.)
Will also have to drill to the outside for the condensate drain lines for each wall unit, which will not use condensate pumps and need to be gravity drained.
I will not need to drill through solid concrete. At most it will be 1950s era brick and sheeting. Maybe couple layers of rim joists or plates.
I am looking at Bosch’s “PCMSDSPL Bi-Metal Power Change Hole Saw Mandrell SDS-Plus” and “HTCTCP TC Pilot Drill Bit” for adapting the assorment of “HB25M Bi-metal 25-piece Hole Saw Master Set” for the SDS drill.
For other brand hole saws (or coring bits), the “CK2 Quick Change Conversion Kit” might work with Lenox saws.
I do not think I will need to go as far as using the costly coring bits.
For the larger diameter holes, may opt to just remove enough of the bricks and cut/re-mortar back in.
Sorry to be over-winded, but would like to order several individual larger diamter bits up to 1″ but do not want to end up with some sizes that will be of little use.
The 11255VSR is listed as a 1″, but I am assuming it will handle 3 or 4″ hole saws for cutting through a single layer of soft brick.
Have the items mentioned in a cart and trying to add three or four larger diameter and length SDS-plus bits.
Or you may find some of the items are foolish selections.
Thanks again.
Replies
I bought mine
on Ebay. Got a bunch of huge bits of peanuts one at a time. They go cheap sometimes, just keep an eye on it. Those $50 bits sell for $2 or $3 sometimes.
Joe H
thanks
Thank you for replying.
I will take a look at eBay.
Was actually hoping to get some advice on selecting an assortment of larger size bits to start with.
I think I went on and on a bit too long on the first post and should just go ahead and get several and add more as needed.
Unless you are a contractor and need to keep an assortment of bits in your truck - don't buy them ahead of time.
Instead, buy what you need for the project at hand. You may find out that you don't need $500 worth of bits all at once, but you do need two 3/16" x 8" because you burnt up the first one on the third to last hole.
Unless you need to drill dozens of perfectly smooth holes in concrete, you are better off drilling a circle of holes with a small bit and chipping out the center.
You will be AMAZED at how effective your new bulldog will be. Leave all the other bits alone, buy exactly what you need for your first project, then get the rest from a local building store. If you want an assortment, order them from Harbor Freight... even if you don't use them, they weren't expensive in the first place!
Thank you for the suggestions and I am taking your advice and buy as needed.
Just came back from Home Dump after staring at the assortment of larger SDS+ bits.
I think I will whittle down the shopping list and get the five or seven bit set and maybe one or two of the larger bits.
As for the hole saw set, I kinda like Bosch's quick change setup which may be nice to have for drilling through wood or interior walls but will hold off on that.
But it may be good to get the SDS+ quick change adapters and buy different brand hole saws or coring bit as needed.Already have a handful of various size hole saws that have plenty of life left in them.
Will definitely get the various SDS+ chisel bits.
Got a first-hand look at the 11255VSR and I think it's still the right choice as long as I do not get into too much heavy demolition work. Looking forward to putting that thing to work.
Need to figure out if I will need one of these: 7/8, 3/4, 1" bits.
Thank you for helping.
Just another Q and that will be all...
When selecting a paricular size Bosch's SDS--plus core bit, it is also necessary to get the corresponding centering pin and SDS shank.
There are several different length centering pins and shanks.
In addition to these, there is a specific guide plate to go with each different size core bit.
How is the guide plate used?
Instruction: 1. Screw core bit onto shank. 2. Centering pin in hole. 3. Attach guide plate.
I don't get it beyond simply following the instruction.
Sorry about the dumb question and in the meantime will also search the web for an answer.
Got it
Ok...found this info and it is a little bit more clear to me how this thing is used.
Also, did not realize the centering pin is removed after getting the hole started.
Hole is drilled the rest of the way without the centering pin and guide plate.
For bit stability - reduces bit walk
After drilling to a depth of approximately 1/4 inch, stop hammer, remove guide plate and center pin, place core bit back into the grooved area and resume drilling to required depth of hole
Bulldog series drills are still light duty by rotary hammer standards. Those larger holes are tough on a drill like this if they're in concrete. My rule of thumb is to rent a larger drill and appropriate bit for anything 1" or larger. To that end I've never bought a bit larger than 7/8". I saw plenty of burnt out Bosch drills at my former employer's, but my own Bosch and Makita SDS drills have given 4 and 7 years of contractor service respectively. Along the same lines, light chipping for short periods is fine with a small rotary hammer, but you'll rapidly overheat it if you overdo things. Use a rotary hammer as a 'detail chipper' but rent a proper breaker if there's more than a shoebox-sized hole needed.
Last thing: get a squeeze tube of lithium grease and keep it in the drill case with the bits. Get in the habit of lubing the shank of the SDS bits, your chuck will thank you.