Last year I had to do some heavy drilling through foundations in No.2 daughter's house - putting in electrical conduit and so on. My old SDS drill decided that it had had enough and wasn't producing much grunt
![Rolling Eyes :icon-rolleyes: :icon-rolleyes:](/custom/images/smilies/pack2/icon/rolleyes.gif)
. . So I went out and bought a new one:
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This is a fairly standard "SDS Plus" breaker/drill from Screwfix and it has been very good.
This year I have to dig out the clay under a very large tree stump. The tree has been growing in hard clay for 250 years or so and the Farm's 5-ton JCB (an 8052) wouldn't break it free - and neither would their Merlo Telehandler (3.5 ton lift).
I had a plan
![Thinking :think: :think:](/custom/images/smilies/pack2/eusa/think.gif)
.
I bought a 400mm SDS spade bit on eBay . . . but it didn't fit. Investigation showed that there is an "SDS MAX" range that has 18mm tool shanks instead of the usual SDS Plus's 10mm. Thinks . . . I want one of those.
I was lucky to find this for £75. The shop was selling off its stock prior to new stuff coming in. Brand new with 2-year warranty
![Thumbup :thumbup: :thumbup:](/custom/images/smilies/pack2/icon_thumbup.gif)
:
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There's not much difference in size (the smaller one is nearer the camera which distorts the scale), but the big one is a Beast - I love it.
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The plan involves digging a hole under the tree stump, to the centre . . . . . .
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And then jacking it up to break it free from the clay with this new toy
![Cool :cool: :cool:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
:
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It weighs 35 Kilos, but it isn't enormous:
The hole needs to be 'adjusted' to take the 14" high jack on its ply base and then the fun will begin.
hopefully, once the stump is loose one of the farm's machines can drag it out. We shall see
![Whistle :whistle: :whistle:](/custom/images/smilies/pack2/eusa/whistle.gif)
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I could have got someone in with a much bigger digger but it would have chewed up my garden and I would rather spend the money on tools and get the satisfaction of doing the job myself. Yes, I do get into some scrapes
![Laughing :lol: :lol:](/custom/images/smilies/pack2/icon_lol.gif)
.
Bob.