SDS & SDS Plus – Typically used with Carbide drill bits 5/32” – 1-1/8” and thin wall carbide core bits up to 4”. There are also several types of smaller chipping and chiseling bits that work extremely well with standard SDS Rotary Hammers. You will find the tools often give max capacity right in the title such as 1” SDS or 1-1/8” SDS. These are solid bit capacities so don’t go sticking a 1-1/8” bit on a ¾” SDS Rotary Hammer Drill, even though the bit will fit it is going to be under powered.

SDS Max - Typically used with Carbide drill bits 1/2” – 1-1/2” and thick wall carbide core bits up to 4” (thin wall up to 6”). There are also many chipping, chiseling, bushing, cutting and digging bits that work well with the SDS Max tools. Many of the demolition tools and large breakers will use the Hex shank but that is another topic for another day.

Spline Drive - Typically used with Carbide drill bits 1/2” – 1-1/2” and thick wall carbide core bits up to 4” (thin wall up to 6”). There are also many chipping, chiseling, bushing, cutting and digging bits that work well with the SDS Max tools. Most of the time the SDS Max & Spline drive tools are identical with simply different chuck retainers to distinguish the different models.