Bosch Pro SDS+
Drilling fixings into concrete or lifting old tiles? Bosch Professional SDS Plus bits cover drilling and light chiselling with compatible rotary hammers.
Sparkies, plumbers and fitters should match the cutting head, working length and chisel profile to the job. Check your drill's modes before buying, then choose the bits you need below.
What Are Bosch Professional SDS Plus Bits Used For?
- Drill fixing holes in concrete and solid masonry for cable tray brackets, pipe clips and wall-mounted equipment, matching the bit diameter and hole depth to the fixing specification.
- Form holes through masonry walls for cables and small pipework, using a bit with enough working length to clear the wall without burying the chuck.
- Lift old wall tiles during kitchen and bathroom refurbs with a suitable SDS Plus tile chisel and a rotary hammer that has a chiselling mode.
- Remove small patches of mortar or masonry around existing openings with a suitable pointed or flat chisel, keeping the work within the drill's rated capacity.
Choosing the Right Bosch Professional SDS Plus Bits
Start with the fixing or material you need to remove, then check the bit fits both your chuck and your drill's working capacity.
1. Diameter and Working Length
For plugs and anchors, buy the diameter specified by the fixing manufacturer. Choose Bosch Professional SDS Plus Drill Bits by working length, not overall length: part of the bit sits inside the chuck. Avoid unnecessary length for shallow fixings, as it makes positioning more awkward.
2. Cutting Head and Material Suitability
If you regularly drill concrete, check the stated concrete suitability and cutting-head design rather than buying on diameter alone. Some four-cutter designs are intended for reinforced concrete, but that does not give you permission to cut structural reinforcement. Check the drilling position and stop if you encounter an obstruction you have not identified.
3. Individual Bits or a Set
If your work involves several fixing sizes, Bosch Professional SDS Plus Drill Bit Sets keep the useful diameters together. If you drill one anchor size all week, buy replacements in that exact size rather than another mixed set. Check the included lengths as well as the diameters.
4. Chisel Profile and Machine Mode
Choose Bosch Professional SDS Plus Chisel Bits by the work: a tile chisel for getting beneath tiles, a flat chisel for controlled removal, or a point for localised breaking. Your drill must support hammer-only operation; an SDS Plus chuck alone does not mean it can chisel.
Who Uses Bosch Professional SDS Plus Bits?
Sparkies and plumbers use Bosch Professional SDS Plus drill bits for repeated fixing holes and service routes through masonry. Kitchen fitters and maintenance teams keep common diameters alongside tile and flat chisels for stripping out and refitting. General builders use the same fitting for smaller masonry jobs without bringing out a heavier SDS Max machine.
The Basics: Understanding SDS Plus
SDS Plus describes the connection between the accessory and the rotary hammer. It is not a drilling diameter or a guarantee that every accessory suits every machine.
1. A Sliding, Locked-In Shank
The grooved, 10mm SDS Plus shank locks into the matching chuck while allowing the movement needed for hammer drilling. You do not tighten it like a conventional three-jaw chuck. Fit it as instructed, then check it is retained before starting.
2. Rotation for Drilling, Hammer-Only for Chiselling
Masonry drill bits normally use rotation with hammer action in suitable materials. Chisels use hammer-only mode without rotation. Check the material guidance before drilling hollow or fragile masonry, where hammer action can damage the substrate.
Accessories for Cleaner, More Consistent SDS Plus Work
Check Bosch Professional SDS Plus Other Bits and Accessories for compatible additions, checking each fitting against your machine.
1. Compatible Drilling Dust Extraction Attachment
Capture dust at the hole rather than leaving it across a finished room. Match the attachment to the drill, bit diameter and working length, and connect it to suitable extraction. A collection cup alone is not a substitute for effective dust control.
2. Machine-Compatible Depth Stop
A correctly set depth stop saves repeated measuring when drilling a run of fixing holes. Allow for the fixing manufacturer's specified hole depth, and check the stop has not shifted as you move between positions.
Choose the Right Bosch Professional SDS Plus Bits for the Job
Match the accessory to the hole or removal task before choosing the size.
| Your Job | SDS Plus Accessory Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Installing plugs and anchors in concrete | Masonry drill bit | Specified fixing diameter, sufficient working length and stated concrete suitability. |
| Drilling several fixing sizes during maintenance | Mixed drill bit set | Useful diameter spread, suitable lengths and organised storage. |
| Passing cables through masonry walls | Long masonry drill bit | Working length beyond the wall thickness and diameter within the drill's capacity. |
| Stripping tiles during a bathroom refurb | Tile chisel | Blade profile suited to getting beneath tiles; requires hammer-only mode. |
| Removing small areas of mortar or masonry | Flat or pointed chisel | Profile matched to controlled removal or localised breaking. |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying SDS Max accessories for an SDS Plus chuck leaves you with kit that will not fit. Check the shank system, not just the Bosch name or drilling diameter.
- Confusing overall length with working length can leave you short of the required depth. Check the usable drilling length before ordering a bit for a through-wall hole.
- Using a chisel with rotation selected can damage the work and make the accessory difficult to control. Select hammer-only mode and follow the machine instructions.
- Pushing harder when a bit stops cutting adds strain without fixing the cause. Stop, isolate the machine and check for a worn head, blocked flutes or an obstruction.
- Ignoring hole cleaning can compromise an anchor installation. Remove drilling dust using the fixing manufacturer's specified cleaning method before fitting the anchor.
SDS Plus vs SDS Max vs Straight-Shank Masonry Bits
SDS Plus for Routine Fixings and Light Chiselling
Choose SDS Plus for repeated fixing holes, smaller service holes and light removal work with a suitable rotary hammer. It suits installation and maintenance work, but it is not a replacement for a heavier breaking system on substantial demolition.
SDS Max for Heavier Drilling and Breaking
SDS Max uses a larger shank and is generally paired with heavier machines for larger holes and more demanding removal. Choose it when the work exceeds your SDS Plus machine's capacity. Compare the fitting families within Bosch Professional SDS Bits and Attachments before buying.
Straight-Shank Bits for Conventional Chucks
Straight-shank masonry bits suit compatible three-jaw chucks and occasional drilling within the drill's rating. For repeated concrete holes, a suitable SDS Plus rotary hammer is generally the more practical choice. The two shank types are not directly interchangeable.
Maintenance and Care
Clear Dust Before Storage
Let accessories cool, then remove dust from the flutes and shank using suitable extraction and a brush. Avoid blowing masonry dust into the air with compressed air.
Keep the Shank Clean
Wipe grit from the insertion end before fitting it. Apply only the lubricant and quantity specified by the machine manufacturer; excess grease collects abrasive dirt around the chuck.
Inspect Cutting Heads and Chisels
Replace drill bits with chipped or missing carbide, bent shafts or damaged shanks. Follow Bosch guidance on whether a particular chisel can be resharpened rather than grinding it without checking.
Store Dry and Organised
Keep bits in a dry case rather than loose among wet tools and rubble. Separate long bits from heavy kit that could bend them, and keep size markings readable for the next fixing job.
Why Shop for Bosch Professional SDS Plus at ITS?
ITS stocks the full Bosch Professional SDS Plus range, from individual drill bits and mixed sets to chisels and supporting accessories. It is held in our own warehouse, with in-stock items ready for next-day delivery. Check the size, working length and availability on your chosen product before ordering.
Bosch Professional SDS Plus FAQs
What is SDS plus?
SDS Plus is a quick-change fitting used on compatible rotary hammers and accessories. Its grooved, 10mm shank locks into the chuck while allowing the movement needed for hammer action. Drill bits and chisels can share this fitting, but your machine still needs the correct operating mode for each accessory.
What is the difference between SDS plus and SDS max?
SDS Plus has a 10mm shank, while SDS Max has an 18mm shank and a different groove arrangement. SDS Plus is commonly used for routine fixing holes and light chiselling; SDS Max generally serves heavier drilling and breaking work. These measurements describe the shanks, not the hole sizes they drill.
Can you use SDS plus bits in an SDS max drill?
Not directly. A purpose-made SDS Max-to-SDS Plus adaptor may allow it, but only where the adaptor and machine manufacturers approve the combination. Check permitted modes, accessory sizes and impact limits. Do not assume an adaptor makes a small SDS Plus bit suitable for the full output of a heavy SDS Max machine.
Are Bosch sds plus any good?
Bosch Professional SDS Plus bits are a sound trade choice when the specific bit matches the material and workload. The range includes different cutting-head designs and applications, so do not judge everything by the shared fitting. Check material suitability, working length and head design, and replace worn bits before they start producing poor fixing holes.
Where are Bosch tools made?
Bosch manufactures tools and accessories across several countries; they are not all made in Germany. The country of origin depends on the individual product. If origin matters for your purchasing requirements, check the packaging or ask ITS to confirm the exact product before ordering.
