"Will this bit fit my machine?" is the single most common accessories question we get, and it is almost always answerable in thirty seconds - if you know what to look at. This guide explains the SDS-Plus shank standard in plain terms, what it does and does not guarantee, and the checks worth running before you commit to a container of bits and chisels.
We make rotary hammers and the accessories that go in them, so we have a view. We also have a bias. Where that matters, we say so.
What SDS-Plus Actually Means
SDS-Plus is a shank standard, not a brand and not a quality grade. The shank is the part of the bit that goes into the chuck. On SDS-Plus it has a round shank with two open grooves and two closed grooves; the tool's chuck locks into those grooves, which is what lets the bit move back and forth freely while still being driven. That free movement is the whole point - it is how the hammer mechanism delivers impact without the bit being rigidly fixed.
- SDS-Plus — the standard on light-to-medium rotary hammers, which is where 20mm to 28mm machines sit. This is the standard our range uses.
- SDS-Max — a larger shank for heavy rotary hammers and breakers. Different size, different tool; SDS-Plus bits do not fit SDS-Max chucks.
- SDS-Quick / hex / round shank — other standards for smaller or specialised tools. Do not assume interchangeability.
The practical consequence: a bit made to the SDS-Plus standard fits any chuck built to accept the SDS-Plus standard. That is a statement about geometry, not about which logo is on the machine.
The Three Checks Before You Order
1. Confirm the chuck, not the model number
Look at the tool's chuck, or the specification line that states the shank type. If it says SDS-Plus, SDS-Plus accessories fit. If a supplier sends you a compatibility list full of other companies' model numbers, treat it as marketing, not as a specification - the chuck is what decides.
2. Match the bit to the material, not just the machine
A machine rated for 26mm does not mean every 26mm bit is the right choice for every job. Diameter, effective length and cutter count all matter. A long bit in hard aggregate deflects and wears faster than a short one; a 4-cutter bit cuts a rounder hole but costs more. Our accessories range page covers the selection logic by job type.
3. Check what the packing actually contains
Two quotations for "a set of SDS-Plus bits" can be completely different products - different diameters, different cutter counts, different case. Ask for the itemised list before comparing prices, and ask what happens to the price if you change the mix.
Chisels: Point, Flat and Spade
| Chisel type | Shape | Best for | Caution |
| Point chisel | Tapered spike | Breaking up concrete, starting a hole, general demolition | High point load; not for finish work |
| Flat chisel | Wide flat blade | Tile and render removal, scaling, edge work | Wide blades load the tool more; match to machine rating |
| Spade / channel chisel | Flat with a scoop profile | Chasing channels for conduit and pipe | Clear in two passes; do not lever with the tool running |
One honest note on chisels: the steel and the heat treatment matter far more than the shape. A cheap chisel mushrooms at the shank end and then jams in the chuck. If you are buying for a market where the tool will be abused, ask what the supplier will warrant rather than what the catalogue claims.
Why We Do Not Publish a Brand Fitment List
You will find accessories suppliers publishing long lists of other manufacturers' model numbers. We do not. There are three reasons, and they are all about what we can actually stand behind.
- We did not build those machines. We can certify geometry to a standard. We cannot certify a specific machine we never tested.
- Model numbers get revised. A published list goes stale the moment a manufacturer updates a chuck or a regional variant ships.
- It creates a warranty we would have to refuse later. If a customer's machine wears its chuck and our bit then fits poorly, a compatibility claim turns into an argument. We would rather set expectations correctly at the start.
What we will do instead: state the standard our accessories are made to, and supply samples so you can test on the machines you actually sell. That is slower than printing a list and considerably more useful.
What to Ask Any Accessories Supplier
- Which shank standard is this made to, stated in writing?
- What is the carbide grade, and is there a test report behind it?
- What is the actual diameter and effective length - not the nominal size?
- What happens to the price if I change the mix of diameters in a set?
- Can I get samples before committing to a container quantity?
- If a batch fails, what is the claim process?
A supplier who answers all six in writing is worth more than a cheaper one who answers two. For the machines themselves, start from our rotary hammer range and match accessories to the models you are buying.
Will SDS-Plus bits fit my rotary hammer?
If your tool's chuck accepts the SDS-Plus standard, yes. Check the chuck or the shank specification on the machine rather than relying on a model-number list. SDS-Plus is the standard used by 20mm to 28mm rotary hammers, including our own range.
What is the difference between SDS-Plus and SDS-Max?
They are different shank sizes for different tool classes. SDS-Plus is the standard on light-to-medium rotary hammers; SDS-Max is larger, for heavy hammers and breakers. They are not interchangeable, and an SDS-Plus bit will not fit an SDS-Max chuck.
Do ETpower accessories fit other brands' machines?
Our accessories are made to the SDS-Plus standard, so they fit tools built to accept that standard. We do not publish or warrant fitment against specific machines we did not manufacture - we would rather supply samples for you to test on the machines you sell.
Should I buy 2-cutter or 4-cutter bits?
For general anchor and fixing work, 2-cutter is the economical default. Choose 4-cutter where hole roundness and bit life in hard aggregate matter, such as drop-in anchors, and accept the higher unit cost.
Why did my chisel mushroom at the shank end?
Usually heat treatment or steel quality, sometimes sustained hammering in rotation-only mode or levering with the tool running. A mushroomed shank can jam in the chuck - grind it back or replace it; do not force it out.
Can I order mixed diameters in one set?
Usually yes, and it is worth asking. The set composition drives the price more than buyers expect, so agree the itemised list before comparing quotations.
How many bits should I stock per machine sold?
It depends entirely on whether your customers are contractors or DIY users. Contractors consume bits continuously and re-order; DIY users mostly use the set in the box. Tell us which you sell into and we will suggest a mix.
Do you supply samples before a bulk order?
Yes. For a first container of accessories we would rather you test the bits on your own machines and in your own concrete than take a catalogue on trust.
Next Step
If you are stocking accessories alongside machines, start with the models you are buying: our 26mm rotary hammers and 28mm rotary hammers both run SDS-Plus, as does the cordless rotary hammer range. Send us the model list and the market, and we will quote a matching accessory mix - or tell you honestly if we are not the right supplier for a particular item. Contact our export team.
