An SDS max drill is the step up from SDS plus when the holes get bigger than about 30mm, the concrete gets harder, or the job turns into chasing and breaking. This collection holds SDS max rotary hammers and demolition hammers from Bosch Professional, Makita, Hikoki and DeWalt, from 5kg class machines you can hold overhead to 12kg breakers for floors and foundations.
Choosing an SDS max drill
- Drilling capacity. 40mm class machines (Bosch GBH 5-40 V and 5-40 D, Hikoki DH40MC, Makita HR4002, HR4003C and HR4013C) cover anchor and service holes. 42mm to 52mm machines (Bosch GBH 6-42 C and GBH 12-52 DV, Hikoki DH45MEY and DH52MEY, DeWalt D25614K, Makita HR5212C) are for core-sized holes and all-day use.
- Impact energy. The joule figure, 7.1J on the Hikoki DH40MC and 12.2J on the DH45MEY, tells you how hard each blow lands.
- Rotary hammer or demolition hammer. Rotary hammers drill and chisel. Demolition hammers (Hikoki H45MEY and H60MEY, Bosch GSH 11 VC) only chisel, but hit harder for the weight.
- Vibration control. Makita's AVT models such as the HR4013C and HR5212C, the Bosch GSH 11 VC and GBH 12-52 DV, and the Hikoki MEY series are built to cut hand-arm vibration.
- Cordless. The Bosch GSH 18V-5 demolition hammer runs on Bosch 18V batteries for chasing where there is no power.
Rotary hammer drill or demolition hammer?
If you drill as much as you break, buy a rotary hammer with a rotation stop and you get both. If the machine will spend its life chasing walls, lifting tiles and breaking slabs, a dedicated demolition hammer is lighter for the energy it delivers. Smaller holes belong on an SDS plus drill or a cordless SDS rotary hammer. Points, flats and spade chisels are in chipper and breaker bits.
In stock in Cape Town with nationwide delivery, free over R2000. Call 021 674 2119 for help sizing a hammer to the concrete.
