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Can you use normal drill bits in an SDS drill?

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In short

Yes, with an SDS to keyless chuck adapter or a drill that has a quick change chuck, you can use normal round and hex shank bits for wood and metal. Switch to rotary only mode first, as hammer action will damage the adapter, the bit and the work. It works for occasional holes, but a combi drill or drill driver is more precise for wood and metal.

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An SDS drill is brilliant in masonry, but sooner or later you need to drill a hole in timber or a steel bracket and the bits you have are round shank. You do not always need a second drill. This guide explains the adapter options, the setting you must change, and the limits of using an SDS drill for general drilling.

The options

There are three ways to use normal bits in an SDS drill. Each has pros and cons.

OptionHow it worksGood for
SDS plus adapter with keyless or keyed chuckChuck on an SDS shank clicks into the drillOccasional wood and metal holes
Quick change chuck drillDrill swaps the SDS chuck for a supplied keyless chuckRegular mixed use
Integrated chuck such as OneChuck style systemsOne chuck holds SDS and round bitsFewer parts to carry
Hex bit adapterSDS shank with 6.35 mm hex socketHex drill bits and screwdriver bits
Ways to fit normal bits

Rotary only is essential

Before drilling with a normal bit, switch the drill to rotary only, sometimes called drill only or rotostop. Hammer action in an adapter chuck shakes it loose, wears the jaws and can shatter HSS and wood bits. Many adapter chucks warn against hammer use on the body.

See SDS drill settings explained for each mode.

Note:Never use hammer or chisel mode with a normal chuck or adapter fitted. Remove the battery or unplug the drill before changing chucks.

Drilling wood and metal

SDS drills turn more slowly than a combi drill and have no screwdriving clutch, so they suit larger holes in wood with spade bits, augers and hole saws, and holes in metal with HSS bits at low speed. The play in an SDS chuck can make small holes slightly less accurate, especially with an adapter that adds length.

For precise holes in metal, a combi drill or drill driver with a solid chuck is better. See combi drill vs drill driver.

See SDS drills with quick change chucks →

Can an SDS drill drill metal?

Yes, in rotary only mode with HSS bits in an adapter or quick change chuck. Use a centre punch to start, run at low speed with cutting fluid on steel and back off as you break through. Large step drills and hole saws also work this way.

Do not use SDS masonry bits on metal. Their carbide tips are not made for steel and will chip.

Clamp small metal parts rather than holding them. An SDS drill has a lot of torque at low speed, and a bit that grabs as it breaks through can spin a loose bracket or sheet in your hand. Use the side handle and keep a firm grip as the bit exits.

Why SDS bits do not fit a normal chuck

SDS bits have slotted shanks designed to slide in an SDS chuck. A normal three jaw chuck can grip some of them, but it will not let the bit move for hammer action and the grooves stop the jaws seating properly. Bits can slip or fly out. Use SDS bits only in an SDS chuck.

If you mainly drill masonry for small plugs, a combi drill with normal masonry bits may be all you need; see SDS drill vs combi drill.

  • RoundFits: keyless chuck
  • Hex 6.35 mmFits: impact driver
  • SDS plusFits: SDS plus drill
  • SDS maxFits: SDS max breaker
Shank ends and the tools that take them.

Is it worth buying an adapter?

An adapter chuck is cheap and handy when the SDS drill is the only drill on hand. If you regularly drill wood and metal as well as masonry, a combi drill is a more comfortable, lighter and more accurate tool for those holes. Many people keep both, often on the same battery platform.

If you are shopping for a new SDS drill, a model with a quick change chuck in the box saves buying an adapter. Look for that in the box contents list.

  • Check the adapter matches SDS plus or SDS max.
  • Prefer an all metal keyless chuck.
  • Use rotary only mode every time.
  • Keep the adapter shank clean and greased.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put a normal masonry bit in an SDS drill? With an adapter in rotary only mode, yes, but you lose the hammer. Use SDS masonry bits for masonry.

Will hammer mode damage an adapter chuck? Yes. It can loosen the jaws and damage the bit. Always use rotary only.

Can I use SDS bits in a combi drill? Not in a normal chuck. They can slip and the hammer action will not work properly.

Is an SDS drill good for wood? For large holes with augers and hole saws, yes. For small precise holes, a combi drill is better.

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