I sense the need for an introduction to SDS-type tools....
SDS stands for "Special Direct System" and was developed by Bosch in the 1970's. It is a shank/chuck system for demolition hammers, and rotary hammers.
There are three standard variations.
- SDS+ - 10mm shank designed for hammers up to 4kg.
- SDS-top - 14mm shank designed for hammers between 2 and 5kg.
- SDS-max - Largest, with an 18mm shank, and it's designed for hammers weighing over 5kg.
Tools using the SDS-system normally have one, two, or three modes. If it's just one, it's normally a demolition hammer; two, and it's normally a rotary hammer, where mode 1 is rotation with hammering, and mode 2 is just rotation; three mode tools are often called "combi hammers", or "roto-stop drills/hammers". They have the all the three modes previously stated.
The size of the shank/chuck denote the power, size, and weight of the tool, and thus, SDS+ tools are normally the smallest of the bunch, where as SDS-max are normally the largest. SDS-top is uncommon.
SDS+ tools are normally in the power range of 1-5 joules per individual stroke, and SDS-max tools are normally in the power range of about 8-20. Combi hammers are normally weaker at pure chiseling than pure demolition hammers.
Cheap SDS-type tools are normally not particularly ergonomical to work with; they have poor hand-arm vibration dampening. They also tend to burn out during long working sessions.
Newer, high end SDS-type tools often come equipped with active vibration dampening. The later allow you to work longer with them, without negative effect on your health, assuming you take stanadard precautions, such as wearing thick gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask.
There are many, many different types of chisels and drills availible. From simple pointed chisels used for making holes in concrete and masonry, to wide agnled bolster type chisels for removing tiles, and flexible blade "knives", used for removing soft and/or brittle floor and wall coverings or residues.
Here ends this introduction to SDS-type tools
