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How Do I Convert a Three-Jaw Drill Chuck to an SDS Drill?

Mary Lougee

A Special Direct System (SDS) hammer drill operates as a drill, a chisel, a hammer or as a hammer and drill motion combined. SDS drills are heavier than traditional drills with a deeper chuck and larger bits to accommodate heavy drilling and hammering in projects. An SDS chuck allows the drill bit to retract into the chuck for longer strokes in the hammer drill function. Longer strokes supply extra force to break through concrete, brick and other hard materials.

SDS drills use a hammer and drilling motion at once to power through tough materials like concrete.
  1. Release the drill trigger to turn it off.

  2. Grasp the drill sleeve and pull it back towards the drill rear. The drill sleeve is the protruding round ring directly behind the bit. This releases the three-jaw chuck pressure on the existing bit. Pull the bit straight out of the chuck with the other hand.

  3. Unplug the power cord from the power source of an electrical outlet or an extension cord.

  4. Turn the drill collar clockwise to the "Unlock" position. This releases the three-jaw chuck.

  5. Pull the three-jaw chuck straight off the end of the drill.

  6. Place the SDS chuck on the end of the drill.

  7. Turn the drill collar counterclockwise to the "Lock" position. The SDS chuck will click and lock into the drill.