Drilling holes for lift install - which drill to buy/rent?

[Russell]

I installed my BendPak P6 lift this past weekend (thread in General discussion). I now need to bolt it into the floor which requires drilling 8 or so holes for the 3/4" anchors.

My 1/2" generic cordless 18v drill (with impact feature) has a failing battery and just doesn't have the juice. I've considered renting from HD or buying a 1/2" hammer drill from Sears but one I don't know if they make a 3/4" masonry drill bit for 1/2" chuck and two if it'll have enough juice to do the job. Then I discovered the SDS drill on HF for $70 - overkill or is that what I'll need? I love buying tools but I really don't feel like I would be using it much after these holes are done. I've never needed them in 34 years until now...

[Rigmaster]

I would rent or borrow a serious hammer drill. Home Depot has them (like you mentioned) as well as most of the equipment rental places. They usually have the bits too.

I doubt the HF drill would last long enough to drill the holes you needed.....


No way a cordless will do what you need, at least not if you plan to have it done in a week.... ;)

[-B-]

rent a Hilti SDS at HD it is the way to go

[FNFS2000]

rent hilti or buy metabo.

[Mike83]

Three words: Bosch Bulldog Xtreme

[Russell]

Come on guys, you're not helping...:drool: Spending $400 on a Hilti to drill 6 holes :bowdown: :bounce:

No seriously, I'm looking for a cheap solution.

[-B-]

rent a Hilti SDS at HD it is the way to go


read and see

[Russell]

I know B, I read that - if you notice in my original post I said I was considering that option too. I guess my question is could I get away with a Skil/Dewalt corded 1/2" hammer-drill to drill 6 3/4" holes? I see that type of drill would be more useful later on than a SDS.

[Vulturej]

For 6 holes rent any SDS hammer drill, and buy a decent concrete bit.

[64merc]

I know B, I read that - if you notice in my original post I said I was considering that option too. I guess my question is could I get away with a Skil/Dewalt corded 1/2" hammer-drill to drill 6 3/4" holes? I see that type of drill would be more useful later on than a SDS.

I'm not an expert, but I don't think the drill you have will do a very good job drilling 3/4" holes. Do they even make a standard type shank drill bit that big? Most of the big masonry bits are SDS shanks. If you do find one I think it will take you a loooooong time to drill those holes with your drill. That is, if you don't burn it up in the process.

[Bustawrench]

Come on guys, you're not helping...:drool: Spending $400 on a Hilti to drill 6 holes :bowdown: :bounce:

No seriously, I'm looking for a cheap solution.

Go to any tool rental store (where contractors rent their tools) and rent a Hilti TE-72 or equivelent...........if you want to core drill the holes perfectly plumb, rent a core drill, bit and a stand.

I've rented core drills with 3" bits for less than $100.00 a day. A hammer drill and 3/4" bit should be less than $50.00 for 1/2 a day.

[walrus]

You have a 1/2 corded drill? Get a 3/4 masonary bit and drill. I've done several lifts without a hammer drill

[Underdog]

I installed my BendPak lift last summer. Bought the HF sds drill on sale for $49 OR $59, don't remember, came with junk bits, bought a good Bosh bit at HD for like $25. Drill all my holes then a bunch more on my metal building worked fine.:thumbup:

[Keep]

Go pick up one of these

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00910137000P?keyword=hammer+drill

Then grab a 1/4 inch concrete bit (for pilot holes) and a good 3/4 bit. Make sure you have a shop vac handy to clean out the holes! Should cost less then renting one and you will have a decent 1/2 drill for future use.

[Todd.Brock]

MY buddy spent how ever much on a Rigid 1/2" hammer drill. Took him about 10 -15 minutes per hole. The slab was about 8 inches thick too....


I spent 35 bucks for a Bosch something or another at the rental store. The big square HIlti looking thing. Told him what I was doing and I got the model just below jack hammer. Best part yet, he gave me three drill bits, and didnt even charge me to rent them. It took all of about 30 seconds per hole. I did 3/4 holes per the instructions on the lift...

RENT THE HAMMER DRILL !!!!

[3liter914-6]

I recently installed my Rotary lift in 5" 3500psi concrete. We started off using my friends DeWalt 18V--it drilled 2 holes and then pooped out. It wasn't fully charged, but we did the math and decided to just buy a corded one.

Bought a Porter Cable 6.5 amp at Lowes (This one (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=36924-79992-PC650HD&lpage=none) I believe.) Slapped the bit in there and finished the holes in no time flat. 12 3/4" holes 4" deep with the same Vermont American bit. We bought a Bosch Bit ($25 or so) as a backup so we wouldn't have to make a trip back out if the VA bit wore out, but ended up not having to break it out.

Unless your concrete is vastly different than mine, you shouldn't need to rent anything. I'd rather buy a tool and have it for the next job, than spend the same cash for a rental receipt and 24 hours of use.

[Russell]

Go pick up one of these

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00910137000P?keyword=hammer+drill

Then grab a 1/4 inch concrete bit (for pilot holes) and a good 3/4 bit. Make sure you have a shop vac handy to clean out the holes! Should cost less then renting one and you will have a decent 1/2 drill for future use.

What about the similar DeWalt DW511 for $89 (vs. the Craftsman for $75)?

What's the largest hole anyone has drilled with a hammer drill (not rotary/SDS drill like the Hilti)

[eric87]

buy a drill use it then take it back.

[Dstosh]

http://www.onestopshopcatalog.com/11224vsr.html

I ended up using something like this. Took less than 10 minutes to drill 16 holes.

Borrowed it from a buddy of a buddy. He had a nice 12" or so 3/4 inch masonary bit.

I say rent one.

[Russell]

Todd, not sure where you rented it but the rotary drills at HD are like around $70 to rent + I have to buy the drill bits.

914-6 (nice car btw)...that's what I was hoping to hear first hand account from someone that's used a regular hammer drill. I'll be drilling exactly the same holes (depth and size). I actually tried it with my cheap cordless drill that has the hammer feature and it actually sunk about half an inch in about 10secs with a 1/2" "generic non-masonry" bit before the battery just ran out.

[Keep]

I am not a fan of Dewalt so my opinion of the two would be biased!!

I drilled 5/8's with a regular hammer drill never had the need to drill 3/4

[rhandwor]

If you have any friends in the termite business ask to borrow a hammer drill for a couple hours.

[Bustawrench]

What's the largest hole anyone has drilled with a hammer drill (not rotary/SDS drill like the Hilti)

2 1/2" is the biggest I have done with a hammer drill.

These days, anything over 2" is getting core drilled.

Most good hammer drills that will handle over 5/8" are either SDS or SDS Plus.

The question you have to ask is what is your time worth. If your want to invest 2 hours into drilling 6 holes, it can be done with a $30 throw away from HF.............if you want to do the same job in 10 minutes, rent the Hilti and be done with it. Myself, I'd rather use the right tool and spend the rest of the time doing something fun, but that's just me.

[Spookrider]

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=1194AVSRK
This the one I have and doing good so far. But I only used it ten time on one project.
If you google it you can find for $80. for recond. and also you can get 3/4 drill bit for that would fit the chuck. Also you can get the better brother of the same.
http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=1199VSRK
I found it for $100. or so for recond. New $200 on high end and $150. low end

[Russell]

I just got back from Lowes. I picked up the same PC drill 914-6 pointed to ($69). I also got Bosch carbide drill bits (1/4" and 3/4") about $25 so out the door $100 give or take. A friend offered me his Milwaukee hammer drill but it's about half hour drive and I figure if I burn it up after one or two holes I'll be stuck with replacing a $150 drill so I might as well burn a new one up and replace it under 30day warranty if it comes to that.

Last question, how do I make sure the drill starts right in the center of the holes? I already chipped my regular punch (good for metal or wood).

[Danglerb]

Wow, nobody suggesting a star drill and sledge hammer?

[Merkava_4]

Drill right through the holes in the lift; that way you don't have to worry about being off. :thumbup:

[ron in sc]

Three words: Bosch Bulldog Xtreme

I have one of these and use it for anything from7/8" and smaller, it works great.


Whatever you do, do not get a hammer drill they are for very light duty use in mortor and soft stone, at least if you plan on drilling more than a few holes.
For drilling in concrete use a rotary hammer.

[Coach James]

A buddy of mine has the rotary hammer from HF and has drilled countless holes with it.

I have the Northern Tool rotary hammer($99), and recently drilled fourteen 1" diameter holes 4" deep with no problems. A used a Bosch SDS bit and aside from letting the bit cool and adding grease to the drill did not have to stop.

I've used a Bosch Bulldog and if I was a pro, that's what I would get. I'm not a pro so I couldn't justify the $200+ for it.

Coach