A keyless chuck for SDS machines that accepts standard round-shank drill bits from 1.5 to 13mm, with tungsten carbide jaw inserts and a jaw locking system for hammer use.
- Jaw locking system: Prevents jaws backing off under hammer percussion, maintaining clamping force throughout hammer drilling
- Tungsten carbide jaw inserts: Harder gripping surfaces than standard steel jaws, resisting wear under sustained high-torque use
- Capacity: 1.5 to 13mm, covering the standard range for HSS, wood, and masonry round-shank bits
- Mount: Half-inch x 20 UNF, compatible with standard SDS chuck adapters
- Application: Designed for use with SDS machines
SDS Keyless Chuck - 1.5-13mm Capacity and Carbide Jaw Inserts
A keyless chuck for SDS machines that accepts standard round-shank drill bits from 1.5 to 13mm, with tungsten carbide jaw inserts and a jaw locking system for hammer use.
- Jaw locking system: Prevents jaws backing off under hammer percussion, maintaining clamping force throughout hammer drilling
- Tungsten carbide jaw inserts: Harder gripping surfaces than standard steel jaws, resisting wear under sustained high-torque use
- Capacity: 1.5 to 13mm, covering the standard range for HSS, wood, and masonry round-shank bits
- Mount: Half-inch x 20 UNF, compatible with standard SDS chuck adapters
- Application: Designed for use with SDS machines
SDS Keyless Chuck
An SDS drill is designed primarily for SDS-shank bits. When a job calls for standard round-shank tooling on the same machine, a keyless chuck bridges the gap. The SDS Keyless Chuck mounts to an SDS drill via a half-inch x 20 UNF adapter and accepts any round-shank bit between 1.5 and 13mm, from small-diameter HSS bits to full 13mm wood and masonry bits. No chuck key is needed: the jaws open and close by hand, making bit changes faster on site. Two features separate this chuck from a basic keyless alternative: tungsten carbide jaw inserts that grip harder and last longer, and a jaw locking system that holds clamping force stable when the drill is used in hammer mode.
Why Choose the SDS Keyless Chuck?
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Jaw locking system for hammer use: Standard keyless chucks can loosen progressively when a drill operates in hammer mode, because the percussion action works against the tightening direction of the jaws. The jaw locking system on this chuck holds the jaws in place during hammer operation, preventing bit slippage and keeping the connection secure throughout the task.
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Tungsten carbide jaw inserts: The jaw surfaces that grip the bit shank are faced with tungsten carbide rather than plain steel. Carbide is significantly harder and more wear-resistant. Under repeated high-torque use, standard steel jaws develop surface wear that reduces grip. Carbide inserts maintain consistent clamping performance for longer.
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No chuck key required: The jaws tighten and loosen by hand. On a busy site, the time lost locating and using a chuck key across repeated bit changes adds up. Keyless operation keeps the process fast and straightforward.
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1.5 to 13mm capacity: The full working range covers the vast majority of round-shank drill bits used in general construction and trades work, from fine pilot holes up to the maximum diameter most cordless and rotary SDS drills handle comfortably.
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Half-inch x 20 UNF mount: The standard thread specification for SDS chuck adapters, ensuring compatibility with the correct adapter for your machine.
What You Receive
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1 x SDS Keyless Chuck, 1.5-13mm capacity, half-inch x 20 UNF mount
Note: A separate SDS chuck adapter is required to fit this chuck to an SDS drill. CMT Group stocks the SDS to half-inch UNF chuck adapter (CHUCKSDSA) separately.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | SDS Keyless Chuck - 1.5–13mm Capacity and Carbide Jaw Inserts |
| Product Code | CHUCK12 |
| Capacity | 1.5 to 13mm |
| Mount | 1/2" x 20 UNF |
| Jaw Insert Material | Tungsten Carbide |
| Jaw Locking | Yes (Suitable for Hammer Use) |
| Application | SDS Machines |
Compatibility
| Compatible With | Status |
|---|---|
| SDS Plus Machines | ✓ Compatible |
| SDS Machines | ✓ Compatible |
| Round-Shank Drill Bits (1.5–13mm) | ✓ Compatible |
| HSS Twist Bits | ✓ Compatible |
| Wood Twist Bits | ✓ Compatible |
| Round-Shank Masonry Bits | ✓ Compatible |
| SDS-Shank Bits | ✗ Not Recommended |
| Bits Over 13mm Shank Diameter | ✗ Not Recommended |
| Bits Below 1.5mm Shank Diameter | ✗ Not Recommended |
Who Is This For?
This chuck is for contractors, groundworkers, electricians, plumbers, and general site operatives who use an SDS drill as their primary machine and need to run standard round-shank tooling on the same drill without switching to a separate unit. It is equally relevant to anyone who needs to expand the capabilities of an existing SDS machine for lighter precision work using HSS or smaller-diameter bits that are not available in SDS format.
Typical Applications
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Drilling pilot holes with HSS bits on a site where an SDS drill is the only machine to hand
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Running wood spade bits or standard wood twist bits through an SDS machine
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Using small-diameter masonry bits in round-shank format where SDS equivalents are not available
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Any task requiring a standard round-shank bit between 1.5 and 13mm on an SDS platform
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Medium-duty rotary or hammer drilling where keyless bit changes are needed between operations
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Trade and general construction use where carrying a second drill is not practical
How to Use
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Ensure the SDS drill is switched off and the battery is removed or the machine is unplugged before fitting any chuck or changing any tooling.
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Fit the SDS to half-inch UNF adapter to the SDS spindle of your drill following the adapter manufacturer's instructions.
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Thread the SDS Keyless Chuck onto the half-inch x 20 UNF adapter. Tighten by hand until secure.
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To open the chuck jaws, rotate the outer sleeve anticlockwise until the jaws open to a width greater than the bit shank you intend to use.
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Insert the drill bit shank fully into the chuck, centring it between the jaws.
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Rotate the outer sleeve clockwise to close the jaws firmly onto the bit shank. No chuck key is required: hand pressure is sufficient.
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Refit the battery or reconnect power and proceed with the task.
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To remove a bit, rotate the outer sleeve anticlockwise to release the jaws.
Safety
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Always remove power from the drill before fitting, adjusting, or removing the chuck or any drill bit.
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Do not insert bits with a shank diameter exceeding 13mm. Exceeding the rated capacity places stress on the jaws and the mount.
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Inspect the chuck before each use for visible damage to the sleeve, jaws, or mount thread.
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Ensure the chuck is tightened securely onto the adapter before operating the drill. A loose chuck mount is a safety hazard.
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Wear appropriate eye protection during all drilling operations.
Maintenance
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Remove accumulated swarf and dust from the jaw area after use. Debris build-up between the jaws can reduce grip and accelerate wear.
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Check that the jaw locking system operates correctly before each hammer drilling session. If the chuck shows signs of slipping under hammer action, remove it from service.
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Inspect the half-inch x 20 UNF thread on the chuck mount regularly. Damaged or cross-threaded mounts must not be used.
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Store in a dry location away from moisture, which can cause corrosion on the jaw mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does a keyless chuck do on an SDS drill, and why do I need one?
A: An SDS drill is designed to accept SDS-shank bits, which lock directly into the drill spindle. If you need to use a standard round-shank bit on the same machine, the SDS spindle cannot grip it. A keyless chuck fits between the SDS spindle and the bit via an adapter, providing a standard three-jaw clamping mechanism that accepts any round-shank bit within its capacity range. The SDS Keyless Chuck accepts bits from 1.5 to 13mm.
Q: Do I need anything else to fit this chuck to my SDS drill?
A: Yes. This chuck has a half-inch x 20 UNF female thread. To connect it to an SDS drill, you need a separate SDS to half-inch UNF chuck adapter. CMT Group stocks this adapter (CHUCKSDSA) as a separate item. Without the adapter, the chuck cannot be fitted to an SDS machine.
Q: What is the jaw locking system and why does it matter?
A: When an SDS drill operates in hammer mode, the percussion action creates vibration that works against the tightening direction of a standard keyless chuck. Over time, this can cause the jaws to gradually loosen, reducing grip on the bit and potentially allowing the bit to slip or come free during use. The jaw locking system on this chuck holds the jaws in position during hammer operation, maintaining clamping force and preventing this from happening.
Q: Why do tungsten carbide jaw inserts matter compared to standard steel jaws?
A: The jaw surfaces are the only contact point between the chuck and the drill bit shank. Standard steel jaws wear over time under repeated high-torque use, and worn jaw surfaces grip less securely. Tungsten carbide is substantially harder than steel and maintains its surface condition for longer, which means the chuck continues to grip consistently across a greater number of tool changes and operating cycles.
Q: What size drill bits can I use with this chuck?
A: The chuck accepts any round-shank bit with a shank diameter between 1.5 and 13mm. This covers the standard range for HSS twist bits, wood twist bits, spade bits, and round-shank masonry bits. Do not attempt to fit bits with shanks larger than 13mm.
Q: Can I use this chuck for hammer drilling?
A: Yes. The jaw locking system is specifically designed to maintain clamping performance when the drill operates in hammer mode. This is the feature that distinguishes this chuck from basic keyless alternatives that are only suited to rotary drilling.
Q: Will this chuck fit any SDS drill?
A: The chuck itself has a half-inch x 20 UNF mount, which is the standard thread for SDS chuck adapters. Provided the correct SDS adapter is used for your specific machine, the chuck will fit SDS and SDS Plus drills. If you are unsure whether your machine is compatible, check the spindle thread specification in your drill's documentation or contact your machine manufacturer.
Q: Is this suitable for precision drilling as well as general site work?
A: The 1.5mm lower capacity means the chuck can hold small-diameter bits suitable for finer work. The carbide jaw inserts maintain consistent grip across the full capacity range. For high-precision applications requiring very tight tolerances, a dedicated precision chuck on a pillar drill or precision machine is more appropriate. For general trade and site use, this chuck is well-suited to the full 1.5 to 13mm range.
Q: Why buy the SDS Keyless Chuck from CMT Group?
A: CMT Group has supplied construction and trade professionals across the UK since 2010, operating a fleet of over 100 vehicles with FORS Silver Accreditation across the entire fleet. Orders placed by 7pm online are dispatched for next working day delivery to UK mainland. Our EDGE procurement portal gives trade account holders agreed contract pricing, full order visibility, and live delivery tracking. If you need to discuss compatibility with your existing equipment before ordering, our team is available by phone and email.
