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Makita 18V LXT SDS Drills Makita 18V LXT SDS Drills

Makita 18V LXT SDS Drills

Makita 18V SDS drills are for proper masonry work on site, when a combi drill just polishes the hole and burns bits.

If you're fixing into concrete, drilling anchors in block, or chasing out for clips and trunking, a Makita LXT SDS hammer gets you clean holes fast without killing your wrists. Stick with SDS Plus for day-to-day fixings, match the tool to the hole size, and you'll spend less time fighting the wall and more time getting work done.

What Jobs Are Makita 18V SDS Drills Best At?

  • Drilling fixing holes into concrete and brickwork for frame fixings, anchors, handrails, and brackets where a standard Makita 18V hammer drill starts struggling.
  • Running repetitive holes in blockwork for cable tray, pipe clips, and conduit saddles, using the rotary hammer action to keep the bit cutting instead of glazing.
  • Working overhead on soffits, lintels, and ceilings where a Makita cordless SDS drill saves you dragging leads and keeps the job moving between rooms.
  • Light demolition and chasing in plaster and masonry on refurbs, using the hammer-only mode when you need to lift tile, knock out render, or open up a channel.
  • Site drilling tools for snagging and second-fix where you need quick, accurate holes without swapping to a bigger breaker or corded rotary hammer drill.

Choosing the Right Makita 18V SDS Drill

Sorting the right one is simple: match the drill to the hole size and how long you'll be on it, not the badge on the side.

1. SDS Plus for most fixings

If your day is 5mm to 16mm holes for plugs, anchors, and frame fixings, stick with a Makita SDS plus drill. If you're regularly pushing big cores or heavy breakout, you're into SDS Max territory and a different class of tool.

2. Size and weight for overhead work

If you're drilling above shoulder height or up ladders, a compact Makita cordless rotary hammer is the sensible choice because you can keep it controlled all day. If you're mostly working at waist height into slabs and walls, you can step up to a heavier duty model for more hit without it feeling like a boat anchor.

3. Vibration control and trigger time

If you're on demolition drilling tools and repetitive holes day in, day out, prioritise the models built for lower vibration and better balance. It is the difference between finishing the shift and having your hands buzzing on the drive home.

4. Batteries that suit real site use

If you're drilling concrete all day, don't kid yourself with small packs. Bigger capacity 18V LXT batteries keep the hammer energy consistent and cut down on constant swaps, especially in cold weather or on hard aggregate.

Makita 18V SDS Drill FAQs

What does SDS mean on a Makita drill?

SDS is the bit fitting and hammer system used on rotary hammer drills. The bit locks into slots in the chuck, so it can slide slightly and take the hammer impacts properly, which is why it drills concrete faster and with less effort than a standard hammer drill chuck.

What does LXT mean in Makita?

LXT is Makita's 18V cordless battery platform. If you already run Makita 18V LXT tools, your batteries and chargers are designed to cross over, which is exactly why a Makita 18V SDS drill makes sense for site work.

Which is better, SDS Plus or SDS Max?

Neither is "better", they are for different work. SDS Plus is the site standard for most fixing holes in masonry. SDS Max is for bigger diameter drilling and heavier breaking where you need a larger tool and bits, and you would not want to carry it for everyday overhead work.

Are battery SDS drills any good?

Yes, for the kind of drilling most trades do day to day. A Makita cordless rotary hammer is ideal for fixings, anchors, and repetitive holes without running leads. For constant heavy breakout or very large holes all day, corded or SDS Max still has the edge, but 18V SDS Plus covers a lot of real site work.

Which is the best Makita SDS drill?

The best one is the model that matches your hole sizes and how long you are on the trigger. If you mainly drill fixings overhead, go compact and lighter. If you are drilling into harder concrete all day and occasionally chasing, step up to a heavier duty Makita 18V SDS drill with more punch and better vibration control.

Makita LXT or G series?

For trade SDS work, LXT is the one to be on. Makita G series is aimed at lighter duty use and does not give you the same depth of range and cross-compatibility you want on site. If you are buying a Makita LXT SDS hammer, stick with LXT batteries and chargers.

Who Uses Makita LXT SDS Hammers on Site?

  • Sparkies and fire and security installers drilling masonry drills holes all day for fixings, tray, and back boxes, because SDS Plus bites cleanly and doesn't stall like a combi.
  • Plumbers and HVAC fitters fixing pipework and brackets into concrete and block, especially in plant rooms and risers where cordless access matters.
  • Joiners and kitchen fitters drilling into brick and concrete for battens, frames, and heavy wall units, where a Makita rotary hammer drill keeps holes straight and consistent.
  • General builders and maintenance teams who want Makita trade SDS drills on the van for refurbs, snagging, and small demo without dragging a corded breaker around.

The Basics: Understanding Makita SDS Plus Drills

SDS is about how the bit locks in and how the hammer mechanism hits the masonry, so the drill does the work instead of your arms. Here's what matters on site.

1. SDS Bit Fitment (Why It Drills Faster)

An SDS Plus bit slides and locks into the chuck, so the hammer action can drive straight through the bit without slipping. That is why Makita concrete drilling tools make cleaner holes with less effort than a standard keyed or keyless chuck.

2. Rotary Hammer vs Hammer Drill

A Makita 18V hammer drill rattles the chuck and works for light brick. A Makita cordless SDS drill is a rotary hammer drill, meaning it delivers proper impacts behind the bit, which is why it keeps cutting in concrete and hard block instead of glazing and burning out bits.

3. Modes You Actually Use

Rotary with hammer is for drilling masonry. Hammer-only is for light chasing and lifting tile or render. Rotary-only is handy for drilling into timber or metal with the right chuck adaptor, but it is not a replacement for a dedicated drill if you're doing loads of clean joinery holes.

Makita SDS Accessories That Save Time on Site

The right add-ons stop broken bits, dusty rooms, and constant battery swaps when you're drilling concrete all day.

1. SDS Plus Drill Bits and Multi-Packs

Keep a spread of the sizes you actually burn through, especially 5mm to 10mm for fixings. Fresh bits cut quicker, run cooler, and stop you leaning on the tool to force a hole that should take seconds.

2. Dust Extraction Adaptor or Dust Catcher

If you're drilling indoors, this is the difference between a tidy room and an hour of clean-up. It also helps keep holes cleaner for anchors and fixings, especially in overhead drilling.

3. Higher Capacity 18V LXT Batteries and a Fast Charger

Rotary hammer work drains packs quicker than screwdriving. A couple of bigger batteries and a proper charger stops you standing around waiting when you are mid-run on fixings.

4. SDS Plus Chisels

A flat and a point chisel cover most small demo, chasing, and tile lift jobs. It saves you reaching for a bigger breaker when you only need to open up a small section cleanly.

Shop Makita 18V SDS Drills at ITS

Whether you need a compact Makita LXT SDS hammer for overhead fixings or a heavier Makita professional hammer drill for tougher concrete drilling tools, we stock the full range in one place. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get the right Makita site drilling tools on the job without waiting around.

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Makita 18V LXT SDS Drills

Makita 18V SDS drills are for proper masonry work on site, when a combi drill just polishes the hole and burns bits.

If you're fixing into concrete, drilling anchors in block, or chasing out for clips and trunking, a Makita LXT SDS hammer gets you clean holes fast without killing your wrists. Stick with SDS Plus for day-to-day fixings, match the tool to the hole size, and you'll spend less time fighting the wall and more time getting work done.

What Jobs Are Makita 18V SDS Drills Best At?

  • Drilling fixing holes into concrete and brickwork for frame fixings, anchors, handrails, and brackets where a standard Makita 18V hammer drill starts struggling.
  • Running repetitive holes in blockwork for cable tray, pipe clips, and conduit saddles, using the rotary hammer action to keep the bit cutting instead of glazing.
  • Working overhead on soffits, lintels, and ceilings where a Makita cordless SDS drill saves you dragging leads and keeps the job moving between rooms.
  • Light demolition and chasing in plaster and masonry on refurbs, using the hammer-only mode when you need to lift tile, knock out render, or open up a channel.
  • Site drilling tools for snagging and second-fix where you need quick, accurate holes without swapping to a bigger breaker or corded rotary hammer drill.

Choosing the Right Makita 18V SDS Drill

Sorting the right one is simple: match the drill to the hole size and how long you'll be on it, not the badge on the side.

1. SDS Plus for most fixings

If your day is 5mm to 16mm holes for plugs, anchors, and frame fixings, stick with a Makita SDS plus drill. If you're regularly pushing big cores or heavy breakout, you're into SDS Max territory and a different class of tool.

2. Size and weight for overhead work

If you're drilling above shoulder height or up ladders, a compact Makita cordless rotary hammer is the sensible choice because you can keep it controlled all day. If you're mostly working at waist height into slabs and walls, you can step up to a heavier duty model for more hit without it feeling like a boat anchor.

3. Vibration control and trigger time

If you're on demolition drilling tools and repetitive holes day in, day out, prioritise the models built for lower vibration and better balance. It is the difference between finishing the shift and having your hands buzzing on the drive home.

4. Batteries that suit real site use

If you're drilling concrete all day, don't kid yourself with small packs. Bigger capacity 18V LXT batteries keep the hammer energy consistent and cut down on constant swaps, especially in cold weather or on hard aggregate.

Makita 18V SDS Drill FAQs

What does SDS mean on a Makita drill?

SDS is the bit fitting and hammer system used on rotary hammer drills. The bit locks into slots in the chuck, so it can slide slightly and take the hammer impacts properly, which is why it drills concrete faster and with less effort than a standard hammer drill chuck.

What does LXT mean in Makita?

LXT is Makita's 18V cordless battery platform. If you already run Makita 18V LXT tools, your batteries and chargers are designed to cross over, which is exactly why a Makita 18V SDS drill makes sense for site work.

Which is better, SDS Plus or SDS Max?

Neither is "better", they are for different work. SDS Plus is the site standard for most fixing holes in masonry. SDS Max is for bigger diameter drilling and heavier breaking where you need a larger tool and bits, and you would not want to carry it for everyday overhead work.

Are battery SDS drills any good?

Yes, for the kind of drilling most trades do day to day. A Makita cordless rotary hammer is ideal for fixings, anchors, and repetitive holes without running leads. For constant heavy breakout or very large holes all day, corded or SDS Max still has the edge, but 18V SDS Plus covers a lot of real site work.

Which is the best Makita SDS drill?

The best one is the model that matches your hole sizes and how long you are on the trigger. If you mainly drill fixings overhead, go compact and lighter. If you are drilling into harder concrete all day and occasionally chasing, step up to a heavier duty Makita 18V SDS drill with more punch and better vibration control.

Makita LXT or G series?

For trade SDS work, LXT is the one to be on. Makita G series is aimed at lighter duty use and does not give you the same depth of range and cross-compatibility you want on site. If you are buying a Makita LXT SDS hammer, stick with LXT batteries and chargers.

Who Uses Makita LXT SDS Hammers on Site?

  • Sparkies and fire and security installers drilling masonry drills holes all day for fixings, tray, and back boxes, because SDS Plus bites cleanly and doesn't stall like a combi.
  • Plumbers and HVAC fitters fixing pipework and brackets into concrete and block, especially in plant rooms and risers where cordless access matters.
  • Joiners and kitchen fitters drilling into brick and concrete for battens, frames, and heavy wall units, where a Makita rotary hammer drill keeps holes straight and consistent.
  • General builders and maintenance teams who want Makita trade SDS drills on the van for refurbs, snagging, and small demo without dragging a corded breaker around.

The Basics: Understanding Makita SDS Plus Drills

SDS is about how the bit locks in and how the hammer mechanism hits the masonry, so the drill does the work instead of your arms. Here's what matters on site.

1. SDS Bit Fitment (Why It Drills Faster)

An SDS Plus bit slides and locks into the chuck, so the hammer action can drive straight through the bit without slipping. That is why Makita concrete drilling tools make cleaner holes with less effort than a standard keyed or keyless chuck.

2. Rotary Hammer vs Hammer Drill

A Makita 18V hammer drill rattles the chuck and works for light brick. A Makita cordless SDS drill is a rotary hammer drill, meaning it delivers proper impacts behind the bit, which is why it keeps cutting in concrete and hard block instead of glazing and burning out bits.

3. Modes You Actually Use

Rotary with hammer is for drilling masonry. Hammer-only is for light chasing and lifting tile or render. Rotary-only is handy for drilling into timber or metal with the right chuck adaptor, but it is not a replacement for a dedicated drill if you're doing loads of clean joinery holes.

Makita SDS Accessories That Save Time on Site

The right add-ons stop broken bits, dusty rooms, and constant battery swaps when you're drilling concrete all day.

1. SDS Plus Drill Bits and Multi-Packs

Keep a spread of the sizes you actually burn through, especially 5mm to 10mm for fixings. Fresh bits cut quicker, run cooler, and stop you leaning on the tool to force a hole that should take seconds.

2. Dust Extraction Adaptor or Dust Catcher

If you're drilling indoors, this is the difference between a tidy room and an hour of clean-up. It also helps keep holes cleaner for anchors and fixings, especially in overhead drilling.

3. Higher Capacity 18V LXT Batteries and a Fast Charger

Rotary hammer work drains packs quicker than screwdriving. A couple of bigger batteries and a proper charger stops you standing around waiting when you are mid-run on fixings.

4. SDS Plus Chisels

A flat and a point chisel cover most small demo, chasing, and tile lift jobs. It saves you reaching for a bigger breaker when you only need to open up a small section cleanly.

Shop Makita 18V SDS Drills at ITS

Whether you need a compact Makita LXT SDS hammer for overhead fixings or a heavier Makita professional hammer drill for tougher concrete drilling tools, we stock the full range in one place. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get the right Makita site drilling tools on the job without waiting around.

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