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Professional Guide

Best SDS Drill for Wall Chasing: 2025 Expert Review

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Oli

Owner, OR Electrics & 18th Edition Electrician

Published 18 December 2025

If there is one job every electrician has a love-hate relationship with, it is chasing out walls. Sinking new sockets and switches into the solid brick of a Victorian terrace is dusty, noisy, and physically demanding work. Using underpowered tools makes it ten times harder.

In my time working across Leeds, I've seen cheap drills smoke and die halfway down a wall. To chase effectively, you need an SDS (Slotted Drive System) drill that delivers genuine impact energy, not just noise. You also need to manage the inevitable mess that comes with it.

In this review, I'm looking at three distinct options for getting your cables buried: a set of high-quality bits that can upgrade your current tool, a top-tier cordless unit for quick drops, and a heavy-duty corded beast for the toughest renovation jobs.

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Specs vs. The Real World

The Spec: "Cordless Runtime"

The Theory

"Manufacturers often claim 'all-day runtime' for 18V tools."

The Reality

Chasing solid masonry is a high-load activity. Even a decent 5Ah battery might only give you 15-20 minutes of continuous chasing. For a full rewind, mains power often wins.

The Spec: "Impact Energy (Joules)"

The Theory

"Higher joules mean faster drilling."

The Reality

True, but accuracy matters too. A massive breaker is too heavy for chasing neat switch drops. You need a balance between power (around 2-3J is a sweet spot for 16mm chasing) and handling weight.

My Top 3 Recommendations

Three options to cover different needs and budgets

Makita D-03888 5 Piece Standard SDS-Plus Drill Bits

Budget Pick
Makita D-03888 5 Piece Standard SDS-Plus Drill Bits

Makita

Whilst this isn't a drill itself, it is the single best budget upgrade you can make. Even the most expensive Hilti or DeWalt will fail if you use cheap, soft bits. This Makita set provides the essential sizes for wall plugs and rawl plugs.

Price£4.99 (at time of writing)
BrandMakita
MaterialSolid carbide tips
The Good
  • Incredible value at under £5
  • Includes the most common sizes (5.5mm, 6mm, 7mm)
  • Carbide tips handle standard red brick well
The Bad
  • Not a full chasing chisel set
  • Will struggle with reinforced concrete

Installer Tip:

I always keep a fresh 6mm bit in my pocket. When chasing, I drill a series of holes to the required depth first (stitch drilling) before using a chisel. It relieves the pressure on the brick and results in neat, straight edges.

Priced at £4.99 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

DEWALT DCH172N-XJ 18V XR Brushless Compact 16mm SDS Plus Hammer Drill - Bare Unit

Quality Choice
DEWALT DCH172N-XJ 18V XR Brushless Compact 16mm SDS Plus Hammer Drill - Bare Unit

DEWALT

For adding a single socket or a spur, dragging a transformer and extension lead is a pain. This compact DeWalt is perfect for 'surgical' strikes—drilling fixings or short chases in lighter blockwork. The vibration control is excellent, which protects your hands over time.

Price£146.25 (at time of writing)
Power18V Brushless Motor
Impact Energy1.4 Joules
Vibration8.8m/s²
The Good
  • Extremely lightweight and compact
  • Low vibration reduces fatigue
  • Brushless motor lasts longer
The Bad
  • Bare unit only (no battery/charger included)
  • 1.4J is light for heavy chasing in engineered brick

Installer Tip:

This drill is brilliant for installing the back box *after* the chase is done. Its compact size lets you drill the fixing holes for the pattress box neatly without widening the damage to the plaster.

Priced at £146.25 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

Protmex Hammer Drill - 1500W SDS Plus Heavy Duty Rotary Hammer Drills

Problem Solver
Protmex Hammer Drill - 1500W SDS Plus Heavy Duty Rotary Hammer Drills

Protmex

When you are rewiring a whole house in Harehills with solid brick walls, cordless tools just won't cut it. This 1500W corded drill is a brute. It's designed to hammer all day without worrying about batteries. The included chisel bits mean you are ready to chase straight out of the box.

Price£79.99 (at time of writing)
Power1500W (Mains)
FunctionsDrill / Hammer / Chisel
In the BoxCase, bits, chisels, gloves
The Good
  • Massive power for stubborn masonry
  • No battery anxiety - runs all day
  • Comes with essential chasing chisels (flat and point)
The Bad
  • Heavy and bulky compared to cordless
  • Requires mains power (trailing leads)

Installer Tip:

Use the 'Hammer Only' mode (rotation stop) with the flat chisel to clear out the channel between your drill holes. Don't force it—let the weight of the tool do the work. If the grease gets cold, warm the tool up for 30 seconds before hitting the wall hard.

Priced at £79.99 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an SDS drill and a standard hammer drill?
A standard hammer drill relies on two mechanical discs clicking together to create vibration. An SDS (Slotted Drive System) drill uses a piston to punch the back of the bit. For chasing brick or concrete, a standard hammer drill is useless; you need the pneumatic punch of an SDS to make any progress.
How deep should I chase for electrical cables?
According to regulations, cables need to be buried deep enough to be covered by plaster. However, if you are not using mechanical protection (like conduit/capping), they must be in 'safe zones' (horizontally or vertically from the accessory). Practically, I aim for a depth of 25mm to allow for capping and a good 5mm+ of bonding plaster over the top to prevent cracking.
How do I control the dust when chasing indoors?
Dust is a major hazard, especially silica from brick. Professional chasers use a twin-blade wall chaser with a vacuum attachment. If using an SDS drill, have a helper hold a vacuum nozzle right next to the bit, wear an FFP3 mask, and seal off the room with plastic sheeting.
Can I chase into any wall?
Be very careful with load-bearing walls. Vertical chases are generally fine up to 1/3 of the wall thickness, but horizontal chases can weaken structure and shouldn't exceed 1/6 of the thickness. Also, check the other side of the wall—in Leeds' thin terraced walls, it is surprisingly easy to punch right through to your neighbour's living room!

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