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Makita SDS Drills Makita SDS Drills

Makita SDS Drills

Makita SDS drill options for concrete and blockwork, from compact 18V SDS to corded rotary hammers and SDS Max for heavier breaking.

When you're drilling anchors all day, chasing for conduit, or knocking out the odd bit of brick, a Makita SDS hammer drill saves your wrists and gets holes done fast. Choose Makita SDS Plus for most fixings, go Makita 18V SDS if you're moving room to room, and pick corded 240V when you need steady power without swapping batteries.

What Are Makita SDS Drills Used For?

  • Drilling clean fixing holes into concrete, block and brick for frame fixings, anchor bolts, brackets and handrails without burning out a standard hammer drill.
  • Chasing and first-fix work where you are constantly moving, because a Makita SDS drill 18V keeps you off trailing leads and still hits hard in masonry.
  • Knocking out tiles, plaster and small sections of masonry using the chisel mode on a Makita rotary hammer drill when you need controlled removal, not a full breaker.
  • Overhead drilling for cable tray, pipe clips and ceiling fixings, where a compact Makita 18V SDS is easier to manage up steps and doesn't pull you off line.
  • Heavier drilling and breaking on structural concrete when you step up to Makita SDS Max, because SDS Plus will do the holes but it is not the right tool for big demolition.

Choosing the Right Makita SDS Drill

Sorting the right Makita SDS drill is simple: match it to the hole size and how long you will be on the drill, not the price tag.

1. SDS Plus vs SDS Max

If you are drilling typical fixings and anchors in block and concrete, Makita SDS Plus is the daily driver. If you are into big diameter holes, deep drilling, or regular breaking work, stop fighting it and go Makita SDS Max.

2. Makita SDS drill 18V vs 240V corded

If you are bouncing between rooms, up ladders, or working where power is a pain, a Makita SDS cordless drill on 18V is the sensible choice. If you are drilling for long runs, day in day out, a Makita 240V SDS drill gives you constant output without battery swaps.

3. Brushless and anti-vibration features

If it is a once-in-a-while tool, a basic Makita hammer drill SDS will do the job. If you are on it every week, go Makita SDS brushless and look for Makita AVT, because it is your hands and elbows that pay the price on long drilling and chiselling sessions.

4. Body only vs kit with batteries

If you are already on Makita LXT, a Makita SDS body only makes sense and keeps the cost down. If you are starting from scratch or your batteries are tired, buy the Makita SDS drill with battery so you are not stuck with short runtime halfway through fixings.

Makita SDS Drill FAQs

Is it worth getting an SDS drill?

Yes if you drill concrete, brick or block more than occasionally. An SDS drill hits harder and drills faster than a standard hammer drill, with less kickback and less effort, so you get cleaner holes and you are not wrecked by lunchtime.

What does SDS mean for Makita drills?

It is the bit fitting system that locks the bit in and allows the hammer mechanism to work properly. On Makita SDS drills it means you use SDS Plus or SDS Max bits, not standard round-shank masonry bits, and the tool transfers impact far more efficiently.

Should I buy a Makita SDS drill 18V or a 240V corded model?

If you are moving around a lot, working at height, or power is awkward, the Makita 18V SDS is the one you will actually use because it is grab and go. If you are drilling all day in one area, corded 240V gives constant power without managing batteries.

Is an SDS the same as a Makita hammer drill?

No. A combi hammer drill is fine for light masonry, but an SDS hammer drill Makita is a rotary hammer built for concrete and repeated drilling, so it is quicker, smoother, and far less likely to struggle on hard aggregate.

Do Makita SDS drills take normal drill bits?

Not directly. Makita SDS Plus and Makita SDS Max need the matching SDS shank bits, and that is the whole point of the system. If you need to drill wood or metal, use the right drill for it, or use a suitable adaptor only for light, occasional work.

Is body only a safe buy for a Makita cordless SDS drill?

Yes if you already run Makita LXT and your batteries are in good nick. If you are starting out or you are down to one tired battery, buy a kit, because an SDS is a high draw tool and it will show up weak batteries fast.

Who Are Makita SDS Drills For on Site?

  • Sparks and fire alarm installers drilling masonry for clips, tray and fixings, because an 18V Makita SDS hammer drill is quicker and far less fatiguing than a combi.
  • Plumbers and HVAC fitters doing bracketry and pipe supports into block and concrete, especially on refurbs where you are in and out of rooms all day.
  • Builders and chippies setting frame fixings and masonry anchors, where SDS Plus gives you straight holes without the bit snatching and wandering.
  • Groundworkers and fit-out teams who need more punch for thicker concrete, stepping up to Makita SDS Max when the job turns into proper breaking work.

The Basics: Understanding Makita SDS Drills

An SDS drill is built to hammer and rotate efficiently in masonry, with a bit system that locks in and transfers impact properly. Here is what matters on site.

1. What SDS means in real terms

SDS is the shank system that lets the bit slide slightly and take the hammer action, so the tool does the work instead of your wrists. It is why an SDS drill Makita will fly through concrete where a standard chuck hammer drill just rattles and heats the bit.

2. SDS Plus vs SDS Max fittings

Makita SDS Plus is the common site standard for most drilling and light chiselling. Makita SDS Max is a bigger system for heavier rotary hammer drilling and breaking, used when the holes and the demolition step up a level.

3. Cordless SDS vs combi hammer drill

A Makita rotary hammer drill delivers impact straight through the mechanism, so it drills faster and with less strain than a typical Makita masonry drill setting on a combi. If you are doing more than a handful of holes, a Makita 18V SDS is the tool that keeps you moving.

Makita SDS Accessories That Keep You Drilling

The right extras stop wasted time on blunt bits, dead batteries, and dust everywhere when you are drilling indoors.

1. SDS Plus and SDS Max drill bit sets

Keep a proper range of diameters for fixings and anchors, because forcing the wrong size bit is how you end up with oval holes and snapped tips in hard concrete.

2. SDS chisels and tile removal blades

If your Makita SDS has chisel mode, a couple of chisels turns it into a tidy removal tool for tiles, plaster and chasing, without dragging a breaker in for small patch work.

3. Dust extraction attachments and drill dust collectors

Use a dust catcher or extractor adaptor when drilling overhead or in finished areas, because it keeps the client's place clean and stops you breathing it in all day.

4. Spare Makita 18V LXT batteries and a fast charger

If you are running a Makita SDS drill 18V, a second battery is not optional on busy days, and a fast charger keeps the rotation going so the drill is not the reason the job slows down.

Shop Makita SDS Drills at ITS

Whether you need a compact Makita 18V SDS for fixings, a corded Makita hammer drill for steady daily drilling, or Makita SDS Max for heavier work, we stock the full spread. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery when you need it on site.

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Makita SDS Drills

Makita SDS drill options for concrete and blockwork, from compact 18V SDS to corded rotary hammers and SDS Max for heavier breaking.

When you're drilling anchors all day, chasing for conduit, or knocking out the odd bit of brick, a Makita SDS hammer drill saves your wrists and gets holes done fast. Choose Makita SDS Plus for most fixings, go Makita 18V SDS if you're moving room to room, and pick corded 240V when you need steady power without swapping batteries.

What Are Makita SDS Drills Used For?

  • Drilling clean fixing holes into concrete, block and brick for frame fixings, anchor bolts, brackets and handrails without burning out a standard hammer drill.
  • Chasing and first-fix work where you are constantly moving, because a Makita SDS drill 18V keeps you off trailing leads and still hits hard in masonry.
  • Knocking out tiles, plaster and small sections of masonry using the chisel mode on a Makita rotary hammer drill when you need controlled removal, not a full breaker.
  • Overhead drilling for cable tray, pipe clips and ceiling fixings, where a compact Makita 18V SDS is easier to manage up steps and doesn't pull you off line.
  • Heavier drilling and breaking on structural concrete when you step up to Makita SDS Max, because SDS Plus will do the holes but it is not the right tool for big demolition.

Choosing the Right Makita SDS Drill

Sorting the right Makita SDS drill is simple: match it to the hole size and how long you will be on the drill, not the price tag.

1. SDS Plus vs SDS Max

If you are drilling typical fixings and anchors in block and concrete, Makita SDS Plus is the daily driver. If you are into big diameter holes, deep drilling, or regular breaking work, stop fighting it and go Makita SDS Max.

2. Makita SDS drill 18V vs 240V corded

If you are bouncing between rooms, up ladders, or working where power is a pain, a Makita SDS cordless drill on 18V is the sensible choice. If you are drilling for long runs, day in day out, a Makita 240V SDS drill gives you constant output without battery swaps.

3. Brushless and anti-vibration features

If it is a once-in-a-while tool, a basic Makita hammer drill SDS will do the job. If you are on it every week, go Makita SDS brushless and look for Makita AVT, because it is your hands and elbows that pay the price on long drilling and chiselling sessions.

4. Body only vs kit with batteries

If you are already on Makita LXT, a Makita SDS body only makes sense and keeps the cost down. If you are starting from scratch or your batteries are tired, buy the Makita SDS drill with battery so you are not stuck with short runtime halfway through fixings.

Makita SDS Drill FAQs

Is it worth getting an SDS drill?

Yes if you drill concrete, brick or block more than occasionally. An SDS drill hits harder and drills faster than a standard hammer drill, with less kickback and less effort, so you get cleaner holes and you are not wrecked by lunchtime.

What does SDS mean for Makita drills?

It is the bit fitting system that locks the bit in and allows the hammer mechanism to work properly. On Makita SDS drills it means you use SDS Plus or SDS Max bits, not standard round-shank masonry bits, and the tool transfers impact far more efficiently.

Should I buy a Makita SDS drill 18V or a 240V corded model?

If you are moving around a lot, working at height, or power is awkward, the Makita 18V SDS is the one you will actually use because it is grab and go. If you are drilling all day in one area, corded 240V gives constant power without managing batteries.

Is an SDS the same as a Makita hammer drill?

No. A combi hammer drill is fine for light masonry, but an SDS hammer drill Makita is a rotary hammer built for concrete and repeated drilling, so it is quicker, smoother, and far less likely to struggle on hard aggregate.

Do Makita SDS drills take normal drill bits?

Not directly. Makita SDS Plus and Makita SDS Max need the matching SDS shank bits, and that is the whole point of the system. If you need to drill wood or metal, use the right drill for it, or use a suitable adaptor only for light, occasional work.

Is body only a safe buy for a Makita cordless SDS drill?

Yes if you already run Makita LXT and your batteries are in good nick. If you are starting out or you are down to one tired battery, buy a kit, because an SDS is a high draw tool and it will show up weak batteries fast.

Who Are Makita SDS Drills For on Site?

  • Sparks and fire alarm installers drilling masonry for clips, tray and fixings, because an 18V Makita SDS hammer drill is quicker and far less fatiguing than a combi.
  • Plumbers and HVAC fitters doing bracketry and pipe supports into block and concrete, especially on refurbs where you are in and out of rooms all day.
  • Builders and chippies setting frame fixings and masonry anchors, where SDS Plus gives you straight holes without the bit snatching and wandering.
  • Groundworkers and fit-out teams who need more punch for thicker concrete, stepping up to Makita SDS Max when the job turns into proper breaking work.

The Basics: Understanding Makita SDS Drills

An SDS drill is built to hammer and rotate efficiently in masonry, with a bit system that locks in and transfers impact properly. Here is what matters on site.

1. What SDS means in real terms

SDS is the shank system that lets the bit slide slightly and take the hammer action, so the tool does the work instead of your wrists. It is why an SDS drill Makita will fly through concrete where a standard chuck hammer drill just rattles and heats the bit.

2. SDS Plus vs SDS Max fittings

Makita SDS Plus is the common site standard for most drilling and light chiselling. Makita SDS Max is a bigger system for heavier rotary hammer drilling and breaking, used when the holes and the demolition step up a level.

3. Cordless SDS vs combi hammer drill

A Makita rotary hammer drill delivers impact straight through the mechanism, so it drills faster and with less strain than a typical Makita masonry drill setting on a combi. If you are doing more than a handful of holes, a Makita 18V SDS is the tool that keeps you moving.

Makita SDS Accessories That Keep You Drilling

The right extras stop wasted time on blunt bits, dead batteries, and dust everywhere when you are drilling indoors.

1. SDS Plus and SDS Max drill bit sets

Keep a proper range of diameters for fixings and anchors, because forcing the wrong size bit is how you end up with oval holes and snapped tips in hard concrete.

2. SDS chisels and tile removal blades

If your Makita SDS has chisel mode, a couple of chisels turns it into a tidy removal tool for tiles, plaster and chasing, without dragging a breaker in for small patch work.

3. Dust extraction attachments and drill dust collectors

Use a dust catcher or extractor adaptor when drilling overhead or in finished areas, because it keeps the client's place clean and stops you breathing it in all day.

4. Spare Makita 18V LXT batteries and a fast charger

If you are running a Makita SDS drill 18V, a second battery is not optional on busy days, and a fast charger keeps the rotation going so the drill is not the reason the job slows down.

Shop Makita SDS Drills at ITS

Whether you need a compact Makita 18V SDS for fixings, a corded Makita hammer drill for steady daily drilling, or Makita SDS Max for heavier work, we stock the full spread. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery when you need it on site.

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