Was trying to drill a hole with a standard hammer drill, but could not get very long big standard percussion bits, so had to buy SDS. Well worth the difference. Hole 1 inch diameter, this drill rated to 7/8", but by not forcing it had no trouble getting through. And one wall was triple-rib block. Compact size helped in cramped location. Bonus, the side handle fits my other hammer drill (which I got at a flea market sans handle), if I ever use it again. Probably will, at least as a regular drill. After reading reviews of Chinese SDS drills that let their smoke out after a few holes, decided to go brand-name. Looked at Harbor Freight Chinese but was not impressed. Of course I'm sure this is made in China too (everything is now) but at least to better specs. And anything will burn up if overloaded, this is not a jackhammer.

Before you buy this drill, make sure you know what SDS means.

I made the mistake of not fully understanding the ramifications of purchasing a drill with an SDS-type chuck.

For those who don't know, SDS requires a specific type of drill bit - NOT the standard round-shank bits you're probably used to. All those bits you have laying around for your other drills, your drill press, and so on - they're useless in this drill as it comes.

You can purchase an adapter and chuck if you want to use standard bits with this drill, but that will set you back about another $40+.

I'm a home hobbyist, not a professional contractor - so I didn't realize that SDS was a different drill bit standard when I purchased this. Now I have to decide between always using SDS-only bits (thereby losing the benefit of already having many bits), or purchasing the adapter and turning this into a very expensive drill setup.

By the way, the instructions that come... Read more