Fred McKenzie wrote:
In article ,
Ian White GM3SEK wrote:

The SDS+ system is the Bosch company's patented method to build
hand-held electric drills with a *serious* high-impact hammer action.
The system has been widely licensed to other manufacturers, so all SDS+
drills are basically the same. They all have a snap-lock chuck (if it
has a 3-jaw chuck, it ain't SDS) that takes a wide range of heavy-duty
drill bits and tools. Most have a shift lever that gives you the choice
between rotary action on its own, hammer action on its own, or both
together - all in a drill that you can hold in one hand.

Ian-

Local stores carry the SDS+ drills, but I have been unable to locate a
local source for the 1/2 inch nut driver (socket adapter) to use with it.

I did find a Hitachi part number. A Hitachi dealer called the company
to see about ordering one. Hitachi agreed it was a good number, but
they didn't have any and didn't know how to get them!

There is a company in the UK called ScrewFix.com that advertises them.

That's where I bought mine. I have posted a photograph of the whole
setup at:
www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek/misc/rod-driver.jpg

The adapter is the object between the socket and the chuck (not quite in
its original condition - the rust and weld spatter are aftermarket
accessories).

As I said earlier, the socket is only there to prevent the driver from
jumping off the end of the ground rod, so it only needs to be a very
loose fit.

However, I don't know how to handle the conversion between dollars and
pounds when paying. I wonder if the credit card company can take care
of that automatically?

Yes, that is done automatically. However, you may pay more in shipping
charges and US Customs duty than the cost of the item itself.

Rather than go to all that trouble, you might do better to have
something made locally.

The only special part is the slotted shank that snaps into the chuck.
This is exactly the same on every SDS+ drill bit and tool, so you can
simply buy the cheapest item you can find (probably a small masonry bit)
and chop off the end that you don't need.

Then find a short piece of steel tubing that will slide loosely over the
end of your ground rods, and have the two parts welded together.



--

73 from Ian GM3SEK 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek