Festool SDS+
Festool SDS bits are built for drilling and light breaking in concrete, block and masonry, with proper fit and clean running on site.
If you're drilling fixings into block all day or opening out chasing work in old masonry, this is the kit to look at. Festool SDS drill bits and festool sds attachments are made for solid engagement, cleaner holes and less messing about on site. If you already run Festool SDS Drills, match the bit and shank to the job and get it done properly.
What Are Festool SDS Bits Used For?
- Drilling anchor and fixing holes into concrete, block and dense masonry where a standard straight shank bit will just skate about or slow the job down.
- Chasing out brick and block for cable routes, pipe runs and back box work when you need festool sds attachments that lock in properly and take repeated impact.
- Opening up larger penetrations and tougher substrates with festool sds plus bits or festool sds max bits, depending on the hammer and the amount of material you are shifting.
- Keeping first fix moving on refurb and new build jobs where clean, accurate masonry drilling saves plugs spinning, fixings loosening and repeat drilling later on.
Choosing the Right Festool SDS Bits
Sort the shank and the job first. If the bit does not match the hammer and the material, you are only making the day harder.
1. SDS Plus vs SDS Max
If you are doing everyday fixing holes, light chiselling and general site drilling, festool sds plus bits are usually the right call. If you are into heavier breakout work, larger diameters or tougher concrete for long spells, move up to festool sds max bits with the right machine behind them.
2. Drill Bit vs Chisel Attachment
If the job is making clean round holes for anchors or plugs, stick with festool sds drill bits. If you are lifting tile, chasing channels or knocking out stubborn masonry, festool sds chisel bits are what saves time and stops you abusing a drilling bit for the wrong task.
3. Buy Singles or a Set
If you burn through the same couple of sizes every week, buy singles and keep spares in the van. If you bounce between first fix, maintenance and install work, a festool sds drill bit set makes more sense and stops the usual hold up when one size is missing.
4. Match the Bit to the Masonry
Do not overbuy for soft block and do not underbuy for dense concrete. For lighter masonry work, standard festool sds masonry bits will cover most fixing jobs. For harder substrates and repeated heavy drilling, choose the tougher spec bit and let the hammer do the work.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Sparkies use festool sds drill bits for chasing walls, drilling fixing holes and opening masonry for conduit, trunking and back boxes during first fix.
- Plumbers and heating engineers reach for festool sds attachments when they are clipping pipe to blockwork or breaking out small sections around awkward runs.
- Builders, brickies and general trades keep festool sds masonry bits handy for anchor points, frame fixings and repetitive drilling where ordinary masonry bits get chewed up fast.
- Maintenance teams and fitters often go for a festool sds drill bit set so the common sizes stay in one place and there is less hunting round the van mid job.
The Basics: Understanding Festool SDS Bits
The main thing with SDS is not just the cutting end. It is the shank system, the hammer you are using and whether the bit is meant to drill or break out. Here is the simple version.
1. SDS Plus for Everyday Site Drilling
This is the usual setup for fixing holes, plugs, clips and light chasing in brick, block and concrete. The bit locks into the chuck so the hammer can hit properly without the shank slipping like a standard round bit.
2. SDS Max for Bigger Breakout Work
SDS Max is for larger hammers, heavier drilling and more serious chiselling. If you are opening bigger holes or spending the day in dense concrete, this is the setup that takes the punishment better.
3. Drill Bits and Attachments Do Different Jobs
Festool SDS drill bits are for making holes cleanly and accurately. Festool sds attachments like chisels are for removing material, chasing and breaking out. Use the right one and the tool works better, the bit lasts longer and the hole ends up where you wanted it.
Festool SDS Accessories That Keep the Job Moving
A few sensible extras save wasted trips to the van and stop a simple drilling job turning into a faff.
1. Spare Common Size SDS Bits
Keep spare 5mm, 6mm and 8mm festool sds drill bits ready if you are on repetitive fixing work. There is nothing worse than dulling the one size you need halfway through a run of clips or anchors.
2. SDS Chisel Attachments
A proper chisel bit saves you trying to force a drill bit through breakout work it was never made for. Handy for chasing, tile lift and cleaning out awkward sections around old masonry.
3. Bit Sets and Storage Cases
A festool sds drill bit set in a proper case keeps sizes together and stops the usual site problem of loose bits rolling round the van, getting damaged or going missing before the second fix revisit.
Choose the Right Festool SDS Bits for the Job
Pick the shank, size and bit type around the material and how hard you are working it.
| Your Job | Category or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Drilling plug and fixing holes in brick and block | Festool SDS Plus Bits | Fast engagement, common diameters, suited to everyday rotary hammer work |
| Repeated anchor holes in concrete | Festool SDS Masonry Bits | Hard wearing tip, cleaner drilling, better suited to dense material |
| Chasing channels or lifting out small sections | Festool SDS Chisel Bits | Built for impact work, cleaner breakout, less strain on drilling bits |
| Larger diameter drilling or heavier demolition | Festool SDS Max Bits | Larger shank, stronger fit, made for bigger hammers and tougher jobs |
| Mixed install and maintenance work across common sizes | Festool SDS Drill Bit Set | Several useful sizes together, easier van storage, quicker to grab on site |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying SDS Max when your hammer takes SDS Plus is an easy mistake and it stops the job before it starts. Check the chuck type first and match the shank properly.
- Using a drill bit for chiselling work wrecks the tip and slows everything down. If you are breaking out or chasing, use a proper SDS chisel attachment instead.
- Choosing the longest bit on the shelf for shallow fixing holes just adds flex and wandering. Buy the shortest useful length for cleaner, straighter drilling.
- Forcing worn bits through hard concrete wastes battery, overheats the hammer and leaves ragged holes. Once the bit stops cutting cleanly, replace it and crack on.
- Ignoring the material matters more than people think. Soft block, engineering brick and reinforced concrete all drill differently, so pick the bit for the substrate rather than hoping one covers the lot.
SDS Plus vs SDS Max vs SDS Chisel Bits
SDS Plus Bits
These are the everyday choice for most site drilling. Best for plugs, frame fixings and repeated masonry holes with a standard rotary hammer. If you are doing normal install work, this is usually where you start.
SDS Max Bits
Go here when the holes get bigger, the concrete gets tougher or the work turns more aggressive. They need a larger compatible hammer, but they hold up better under heavier loads and longer runs.
SDS Chisel Bits
Not for drilling holes at all. These are for chasing, lifting tile and breaking out masonry. If the job is material removal rather than clean round holes, a chisel bit is the right tool and much quicker.
Maintenance and Care
Clean the Shank After Use
Wipe dust and slurry off the SDS shank before it goes back in the case. A dirty shank wears the chuck faster and can stop the bit seating properly next time.
Check the Tip Before Big Jobs
A worn carbide tip will wander, cut slower and leave rough holes. Give the bit a quick look before you start a run of fixings rather than finding out halfway through.
Store Bits in a Case, Not Loose in the Van
Loose festool sds bits knock together, chip edges and go rusty if they sit damp. Keep them dry and separated so the cutting ends stay usable.
Replace Worn Chisels and Damaged Bits Promptly
If the edge is mushroomed, cracked or badly rounded over, retire it. Hanging on to dead bits just puts more stress on the hammer and slows the whole job down.
Why Shop for Festool SDS Bits at ITS?
Whether you need individual festool sds drill bits, festool sds attachments, a full Festool SDS Bits and Attachments range, or want to compare against Festool Drill Bits and Festool Masonry Drill Bits, we stock the lot. It is all in our own warehouse, ready for next day delivery, so you can get the right bit on site without holding the job up.
Festool SDS Bits FAQs
What SDS bits and attachments does Festool make?
Festool SDS bits and attachments typically cover the site basics properly, including festool sds drill bits for masonry drilling and festool sds attachments such as chisels for breakout and chasing work. You will usually find options across common drilling diameters, plus solutions for different hammer sizes and job types.
Are Festool SDS bits compatible with all SDS drills?
No. You need to match the shank type to the drill. Festool SDS Plus bits fit SDS Plus machines, while festool sds max bits need an SDS Max hammer. Check the chuck before you buy, because SDS is not one single fit across every machine.
What SDS sizes does Festool offer?
Festool usually covers the common site sizes used for plugs, anchors and frame fixings, along with larger diameters for heavier work depending on the range. If you are mostly doing first fix masonry drilling, start with the sizes you burn through every week rather than buying a big set full of bits you will never touch.
Are Festool SDS bits suitable for heavy masonry work?
Yes, if you choose the right type for the hammer and material. Festool sds masonry bits are fine for proper site drilling in brick, block and concrete, but for larger holes or longer spells in harder material you will want the correct SDS Max setup rather than pushing a lighter bit too far.
Should I buy single Festool SDS bits or a set?
If you repeat the same fixing jobs every day, singles make sense and let you keep spares of the sizes that actually wear out. If your work jumps between installs, maintenance and refurbs, a festool sds drill bit set is the tidier option and stops delays when you need an odd size quickly.
Are Festool SDS chisel bits worth keeping in the van?
Yes. Even if most of your work is drilling, a chisel attachment saves time when you need to lift a tile, clean out a chase or break away a stubborn bit of masonry. It is one of those bits of kit you do not use every hour, but when you need it, nothing else does the job properly.
