Argos Challenge SDS Drill

[David Hearn]

Before people start saying its a pile of pants (the Argos Challenge SDS drill for £30) - I got it because I was completely knackered after doing the best part of sinking a double socket box in a brick wall. Trying to drill with a basic hammer drill and chisel out the bits of brick was a right pain, taking ages and wearing my arm out! The hammer drill was pants and just wasn't up to the job. I decided that spending £30 on a cheapo SDS drill to get this job done was cost effective (especially as it included 2 basic chisels) seeing as I had a number of jobs to do (including replastering) and having a dead arm and wasted time would be more of a problem than £30 spent.

After using it I've noticed two features that it appears to lack. Firstly, you cannot lock it on. This means having to constantly pull the trigger whilst drilling/chiseling - a right pain. Secondly there doesn't appear to be a rotation lock mechanism. Whist I can stop it rotating under power, I can't seem to get it to stop rotating under vibration. Okay on a point chisel but on the flat chisel it can be a problem as you want to keep the flat piece in a certain place and angle..

All told though, I'm pleased with it - it made a good job of breaking up the bricks though it does weight a ton.

It looks like the £50 Performance Power one from B&Q though I noticed their one has a trigger lock - no idea about rotation lock.

Does anyone else have experience of the Challenge SDS Drill and whether there's any way of stopping the bit rotating under vibration when its in hammer only mode?

Thanks

David

[Grunff]

Your reason for getting it doesn't make it less of a pile of pants :-)

This is one of the biggest failings of the £25-£50 SDS machines - they weigh far too much. I know - I had two before buying my DeWalt.

[John Rumm]

That also seems to be a common feature of many drills in this class. You normally need to go to Bosch or Makita money (i.e. 100 - 120) for a decent multi position rotation lock.

[IMM]

He bought it to do one job. It did it, was worth it, and anything also above that is a bonus. Sound logic.

DeWalt? Please, now that is pants. You can get a superior Makita for less.

[Tournifreak]

I have the Argos one and I can definately turn rotation off. There's a big knob near the chuck mechanism that you have to rotate.

I agree the lack of trigger lock is a PITA. Still, can't complain for £30.

Jon.

[David Hearn]

Yeah, I found that turns powered rotation off (ie. for non-drilling work) - but it didn't lock it so you couldn't rotate it yourself (or by vibration). In my case the chisel might be facing North/South when I start, but after a few seconds its rotated itself 90 degrees slowly to East/West.

I did notice though that the switch/knob at the back of it wouldn't go right to the hammer part - it looked as if it needed to move another couple of degrees - but no matter what forcing I did - I couldn't get it to go that final part. I assumed it was just a feature of the knob. I will check though whether the chuck needs to be at a certain angle before it can lock - but I doubt it.

Nope - did what I needed it to do.

David

[David Hearn]

I forgot to say that I was struggling on finishing the first double box and that I had a second one to do, and another room which would need more sockets! So, its still got some extra uses to go. Must admit though - the box I did by hand (or mostly by hand) is much neater than the one I did from scratch using the SDS Chisel... but then again, it took about 1/5 of the time!

David

[Grunff]

Sound logic if:

[a] It's the only job he's ever intending to do with an SDS or [b] You're a complete moron

[usenet]

My £90 (a while ago) Stayer has all lock types:- No rotation, fixed No rotation, free Rotating and hammering Just rotating

At the time it was one of the cheapest SDS drills available, it's done lots of hard work for me over the past year or two and shows no signs of falling apart yet.

[Capitol]

The Makita is not superior. The chuck does not lock in the chiselling position.

Regards Capitol

[IMM]

That's what he said he got it for. One job. So anything else is a bonus

I assume the collective You're. Why would anyone be a moron by a cheap for one job? Duh!

[ARWadsworth]

Tried both. Makita wins hands down, but not for less.

-- Adam

adamwadsworth@(REMOVETHIS)blueyonder.co.uk

[chris French]

Yeah, I bought one of those about 2 years ago and have been equally pleased with it.

With regard to the OP, ISTR complaints of bit rotating under hammer only mode in previous posts regarding this (or similar SDS drills)

I am the only one who thinks these el cheapo SDS drills are deliberately made much heavier than they need to be so as to feel more 'meaty' ?

[IMM]

Nah, to put professionals off.

[Justin]

I'm just about to set to ripping up a concrete floor and chase out some walls for pipework, sounds like this would do the job, does it come with chisels?

[Andy Hall]

£30 for one job seems poor value to me.....

.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

[Dave Plowman]

I've had a DeWalt for ages, and it's been great - can't fault it. Have you experience of both, or is this just another example of your website comparisons?

[Dave Plowman]

A heavy drill might well be an advantage if chasing into floors etc. But not for walls. ;-)

[John Rumm]

depends on your Makita - it does on my one (Makita 2450)

[chris French]

In message , Justin writes

If you mean ripping up a whole floor, then don't use an SDS drill for it

- they aren't up to it. Hire something to do the job.

It will chase the walls, but I would not want to hold one of these cheap heavy jobs up for too long.