Irwin SDS+
Irwin SDS drill bits are built for fast, reliable drilling into concrete, block and masonry with SDS Plus drills on day to day site work.
When you're knocking through block for fixings, back boxes or pipe clips, you need bits that start clean and keep clearing dust without bogging down. Irwin SDS Plus bits, including the Irwin Speedhammer range, are a solid shout for regular masonry drilling and quick progress on refurbs, first fix and general site jobs. If you need heavier breaking gear as well, look at Irwin SDS MAX and get the right setup for the work.
What Are Irwin SDS Drill Bits Used For?
- Drilling anchor and fixing holes into concrete lintels, block walls and dense masonry is where Irwin SDS drill bits earn their keep, especially on first fix and repeat install work.
- Chasing through brick and block for electrical boxes, clips and brackets is quicker with Irwin SDS Plus bits that clear dust properly and keep the hole cutting instead of rubbing.
- Running pipework, conduit and cable routes through masonry is a standard job for the Irwin Speedhammer range, where you want straight starts and reliable progress without constantly changing worn bits.
- Breaking off loose render, lifting stubborn tiles or trimming out small sections of blockwork is exactly where an Irwin SDS chisel comes into its own on snagging and refurb jobs.
- Keeping the van stocked with an Irwin SDS bit set saves wasted trips when you're moving between different fixing sizes across maintenance, fit-out and general building work.
Choosing the Right Irwin SDS Drill Bits
Sorting the right one is simple: match the bit to the hole, the material and the amount of abuse it's going to take.
1. SDS Plus or SDS Max
If you're drilling everyday fixing holes with a standard rotary hammer, Irwin SDS Plus bits are the right call. If you're moving into large diameter holes, deep drilling or heavier demolition work, don't force a lighter setup when an SDS Max tool and bit is what the job really needs.
2. Single Bits or a Bit Set
If you burn through the same couple of sizes all week, buy singles and keep spares in the van. If you're bouncing between fixings, brackets and different anchor sizes, an Irwin SDS bit set saves time and stops you getting caught short on site.
3. Drill Bit or Chisel
If you need clean, round holes for fixings, go with Irwin SDS drill bits. If the job is lifting tiles, trimming channels or knocking off loose material, you want an Irwin SDS chisel instead, because a drill bit will just take a beating doing the wrong work.
4. Standard Masonry or Faster Cutting Patterns
If you're only drilling the odd hole, a standard Irwin SDS masonry bit will do the job. If you're punching repeated holes into hard concrete and want faster progress, the Irwin Speedhammer and Irwin Speedhammer Plus lines are worth a look for regular site use.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Sparkies use Irwin SDS masonry bits for drilling repeated fixing holes in brick and block, fitting conduit, tray and back boxes without fighting blunt gear halfway through the day.
- Plumbers and heating engineers reach for Irwin SDS Plus bits when clipping pipe runs and drilling masonry for brackets, especially on refurbs where wall types change room to room.
- Kitchen fitters, joiners and general builders keep an Irwin SDS bit set in the kit for fast fixing holes into concrete and block before battens, units and frames go up.
- Maintenance teams and site managers like having Irwin SDS chisels on hand for quick breakout, tile lifting and patch removal without dragging bigger demolition kit onto small jobs.
- If you're already buying from Irwin Tools, these are the bits that make sense for everyday masonry drilling where reliability matters more than fancy claims.
The Basics: Understanding Irwin SDS Drill Bits
The main thing to get right is the shank type and the kind of work you're asking the bit to do. Get that sorted and the drill does its job properly instead of fighting you all day.
1. SDS Plus for Standard Site Drilling
This is the setup most trades use for fixing holes in block, brick and concrete. The SDS Plus shank locks into the drill so the bit can hammer and rotate efficiently, which means quicker drilling and less slipping than a plain straight shank bit.
2. SDS Max for Bigger, Harder Work
SDS Max is for larger machines, bigger holes and heavier breaking jobs. It is not just a different label. The shank is larger, the tool is heavier and the whole setup is built for tougher work than standard SDS Plus drilling.
3. Drill Bits and Chisels Do Different Jobs
An SDS drill bit is for making holes. An SDS chisel is for breaking, lifting or trimming material. Use the right one and the tool works cleaner, faster and with a lot less wear on both the bit and the drill.
Irwin SDS Accessories That Save Time on Site
A few sensible extras keep your drilling kit useful for longer and stop stupid delays halfway through the job.
1. Spare SDS Plus Bit Sets
Keep a second Irwin SDS bit set in the van or site box so a snapped or worn common size does not stop the whole fixing job. It is a cheap fix for a very common headache.
2. SDS Chisels
A proper Irwin SDS chisel saves you trying to bodge breakout work with a drill bit. For lifting tiles, trimming block or chasing out small sections, it is the add-on that stops wasted time and wrecked bits.
3. Storage Cases
A decent case keeps sizes organised and stops loose bits knocking about in the van until the tips are dulled or the set goes incomplete. Sounds basic, but it saves plenty of faff.
Choose the Right Irwin SDS Drill Bits for the Job
Use this quick guide to sort the right type before you buy.
| Your Job | Bit Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Repeated fixing holes in brick and block | Irwin SDS Plus bits | Fast dust clearance, secure SDS Plus fit, sizes suited to common anchors and fixings |
| Harder concrete drilling on regular site work | Irwin Speedhammer | Built for quicker progress in tough masonry, reliable tip design, good choice for repeat drilling |
| Mixed fixing sizes across maintenance and fit-out | Irwin SDS bit set | Multiple diameters in one case, quicker to grab on site, less chance of missing the size you need |
| Tile lifting and light breakout work | Irwin SDS chisel | Made for chiselling rather than drilling, cleaner material removal, less abuse on your drill bits |
| Large holes and heavier demolition work | SDS Max setup | Larger shank, suits heavier hammers, better for bigger loads and tougher material removal |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying SDS Max by mistake when your drill takes SDS Plus is an easy one to make, and the bit simply will not fit. Check the chuck before ordering, especially if the lads on site use different hammers.
- Using a drill bit for breakout or tile lifting just wrecks the cutting end and slows the work down. If the job is chiselling, buy an Irwin SDS chisel and spare your drilling bits.
- Choosing one cheap mixed set for heavy daily work often means you run out of the sizes you actually use. If 6mm and 8mm are your bread and butter, keep spare singles as well as a set.
- Forcing a worn bit through hard concrete wastes time and overheats the tool. If it stops cutting cleanly and you are leaning all over it, replace it and crack on.
- Ignoring the material makes a mess of planning. Brick, block and hard concrete do not all drill the same, so match the bit and the drill to what is actually in front of you.
SDS Plus vs Speedhammer vs SDS Max
Irwin SDS Plus Bits
These are the everyday graft bits for standard rotary hammers. Best for common fixing holes in brick, block and concrete, with easier handling and less bulk than bigger SDS Max gear.
Irwin Speedhammer
A better fit when you are drilling a lot of holes into tougher masonry and want faster progress. If the job is repetitive and the material is unforgiving, this type makes more sense than a basic occasional-use bit.
SDS Max
This is for larger tools, bigger diameters and heavier site work. It is overkill for everyday fixing holes, but the right answer for tougher demolition and deep or large-scale drilling.
Maintenance and Care
Clean the Flutes After Use
Brush off packed dust and grit after drilling concrete and block. Leaving muck in the flutes just means poorer dust clearance and slower cutting next time out.
Check the SDS Shank
Look over the shank for wear or damage before pushing it back into the drill. If the fit is rough or battered, you risk poor engagement and extra wear in the chuck.
Store by Size
Keep bits in their case or rack instead of loose in the van. It stops the tips getting knocked about and saves rummaging when you only need one size quickly.
Replace Worn Bits Early
A tired bit makes the drill work harder and turns a quick fixing job into a slog. If the bit is no longer starting cleanly or drilling at a sensible pace, bin it and replace it.
Use the Right Bit for the Right Work
Do not use masonry drill bits as chisels or pry bars. That is the fastest way to chip the tip, bend the body and shorten the life of perfectly good kit.
Why Shop for Irwin SDS Drill Bits at ITS?
Whether you need single Irwin SDS Plus bits, an Irwin Speedhammer set, SDS chisels or other Irwin Drill Bits, we stock the range properly. It is all in our own warehouse, ready for next day delivery, so you can get the right sizes on site without hanging about.
Irwin SDS Drill Bits FAQs
What's the Irwin Speedhammer range?
The Irwin Speedhammer range is Irwin's SDS masonry drilling line aimed at fast, repeated drilling into concrete, brick and block. In plain terms, these are the bits you buy when the job involves proper site drilling rather than the odd hole at home.
What's the difference between SDS and SDS Max?
SDS Plus is the common fit for standard rotary hammers used for everyday fixing holes. SDS Max is larger and built for heavier tools, bigger holes and tougher demolition work. They are not interchangeable, so always check the machine before you buy bits.
Are Irwin SDS bits suitable for concrete and masonry?
Yes. Irwin SDS drill bits are made for concrete, block, brick and general masonry drilling. They are the right sort of bit for anchors, fixings, clips and bracket holes, provided you match the size and bit type to the material and the drill.
Do Irwin SDS bits fit all SDS Plus drills?
If the bit is SDS Plus and your drill is an SDS Plus machine, yes, it should fit correctly. What catches people out is mixing up SDS Plus and SDS Max, so check the chuck type first if you are not one hundred per cent sure.
What SDS chisel types does Irwin offer?
Irwin SDS chisels typically cover the usual site jobs like scaling, channel work and broader chiselling for lifting or trimming material. The key thing is choosing the chisel shape for the job rather than trying to make one pattern do everything badly.
Are Irwin SDS bit sets worth it for site work?
Yes, if you regularly jump between fixing sizes. An Irwin SDS bit set is a sensible buy for maintenance, fit-out and first fix because you have the common diameters together in one place. If you hammer one or two sizes all week, add spare singles as well.
Do these bits last on tougher jobs, or are they just for light drilling?
They are built for real masonry work, not just occasional light use. That said, no bit lasts forever in hard concrete. Use the right speed, let the hammer action do the work and replace worn bits before they start slowing the whole job down.
