SDS Drill selection questions

[Vortex]

Hi,

It's time for me to invest in SDS drill technology. Previous advocacy in this group has steered me to the Makita brand, and I fancy the 2.4kg, 780W model HR2450.

There seem to be 3 options and I'm very confused:

HR2450 Best price £120.24 (ex VAT)

"with keyless chuck and adaptor" (this appeals as I can use conventional bits too). Best price £102.93 (ex VAT) "with quick change chuck". Best price £158.36 (ex VAT) the face of it 2450X is a tremendous deal. Can anyone explain why the

2450X is cheaper than 2450 as it appears to be a "superset" of 2450??

Is there anyone out there familiar enough with these to explain if the extra

56 quid between 2450X and 2450T is worth spending???

David

[Seri]

Okay, I just wrote a small review of the 2450 in the thread "Best SDS drill for under £200?" and praised it highly.

I purchased my 2450 from ScrewFix and it was £102.12 (Exc Vat), and then purchased a replacement standard 20mm keyless chuck and a standard chuck to SDS converter (came to about £20 inc Vat).

The difference between HR2450, HR2450X, HR2450T, they're all the same drill itself, the difference is only in the 'extras' that come with them. The

2450X comes with a very useless 'convertor' which would give no real accuracy or life as far as I can tell 2450X with chuck adapter fitted). The 2450T has a very impressive looking alternate chuck but I don't think it's impressive enough to justify the hefty price increase. 2450T with standard chuck next to it).

Hope this helps.

Seri

[Andy Hall]

Perhaps the non-X version comes with some bits or something like that? Otherwise, perhaps the X is a promotional product? I would call them and ask.

Regarding the chuck change issue, I have a Bosch Multidrill which is a

4kg SDS and also has a quick change chuck.

I had previously had an old mains conventional hammer drill which was pretty much at the end of its useful life.

With the Multidrill, I can do all of the SDS work plus all of the larger drilling jobs that the old hammer drill did because it has very good torque. I am sure that the Makita would be the same. The only missing piece is smaller work with higher speed rotation than this drill can do.

I've addressed that issue witha Makita cordless drill which gets used for smaller work.

So, if you don't have a well powered mains conventional drill, then this is a good way to get one as long as you have something for the smaller jobs.

.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

[Michael Mcneil]

I don't know the ins and outs of parts and longetivity but an sds should walk through limestone and granite as fast as you can nail through cement. Get a second hand one with a decent brand on it or a cheap one from the local market for starters. As a diy tool it will last a long time and you will be pleased enough with it. And afterwards you can choose again with experience.

About the price range you are discussing here: for a little over a hundred you should be looking at the 24 volt battery ones.

[OldScrawn]

you should be looking at the 24 volt battery ones.

Is that the general view? I would have thought that only the expensive pro jobs would have decent batteries and that the occasional DIYer with ~ 100 notes would be better with mains. Am interested as it is probably the next toy on my list...

[Alex]

I would recommend strongly against getting a cordless version, there is no way you can get quality machinery & decent batteries for that money. A normal drill driver is over £200, forget about adding SDS to that!

Alex