I've looked through the FAQ but this aspect of the subject isn't covered.
I've used an SDS drill several times into various types of masonry.
I have to drill a 14mm hole through a steel gate post and then on into a brick pier. Do 'ordinary' SDS drill bits work in steel as well as masonry, or is there a special type of HSS drill bit for use with an SDS drill?
No. They're sharpened as a blunt chisel, for robustness. In steel they just won't cut, whether on hammer or plain rotation. You _could_ re- shape one on a green grit wheel, but it would then suffer once you hit concrete. In brick it wouldn't be so bad, unless they're blue or burned bricks.
I'd probably drill it carefully through the steel alone as
8,10,12,14mm with a twist drill, then swap for the SDS and do the brick. If I had a few to do, I might even get the oxy set out and burn the steel first before drilling the brick.
The nearest to this is the Bosch Constructor series (carbide and sharp), which are well worth acquiring for drilling into abrasive cement boards. However these aren't hammer drills as such, certainly not SDS, and I think they go up to 10mm, not 14.
I used an SDS bit to enlarge (not drill from scratch) a couple of holes in m/s once (out of sheer desperation, only bit on the van big enough). Just about managed to enlarge 2 holes by a few mm. Drill bit wrecked completely.
I've seen what people had to say on the subject, which rather confirmned my own suspicions, that SDS drill bits are intended for masonry unless one acquires specialist (and expensive) bits.
Might I suggest a word of clarification within the FAQ about SDS drill bits being intended for masonry only, as it isn't really covered. It may be obvious to those using them all the time, but......
My thinking is they (SDS) are like masonry bits for an ordinary hammer drill etc. Designed to drill masonry - so why would you want to use them on steel? Would you also have a warning that 'flat' wood bits aren't intended for steel or masonry? ;-)
Because one or two ebay sites say 'suitable for drilling through.....' Also some sds drills are marketed as suitable for drilling through.....'
I didn't think the drill bits were, which is why I originally phrased my question 'Do 'ordinary' SDS drill bits work in steel as well as masonry, or is there a special type of HSS drill bit for use with an SDS drill?'
I asked the question here because I thought I'd get a definitive answer.
The basic answer is that *most* SDS bits are for masonry only (although even they can bludgeon their way through wood if you don't care about neatness!)
However there are a few special ones like SDS augers. These have a slightly different set of flutes on the shank that mean the drill will go in the SDS chuck, but it is not able to slide back to a position where the hammer can reach it.
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