Corded hammer drill recommendation

[BBC71Nova]

I need to pickup a hammer drill soon. Since this isn't something I use that often I want to go with a corded model. That way in a few years from now when I go to use it I don't have to worry about if the batteries have gone bad or if I can find a replacement .

I'm looking at either the Milwaukee 5380 or Dewalt DWD520K so far.

Any others? I don't want to spend a bundle so an SDS or rotary type is probably out of the question.

John

 

[bigdummy30]

either of those would probably be nice ...i love dewalt but Milwaukees drills are top notch in general...

one thing to keep in mind about some of the SDS versions is that they can be set to straight hammer (with no rotating ) which is real nice for chiseling stuff....i have a SDS + model Bosch

 

[fivespdcat]

I don't mean to upsell you, but you can buy a Bosch bulldog refurbished from cpotools for a few dollars extra... I bought one and it really is way better to have sds capabilities, especially for drilling in concrete.
http://www.cpotools.com/factory-reconditioned-bosch-11255vsr-rt-1-in-sds-plus-d-handle-bulldog-xtreme-rotary-hammer/bshr11255vsr-rt,default,pd.html?start=1&q=Bulldog
http://www.cpotools.com/factory-reconditioned-bosch-11224vsr-rt-7-8-in-sds-plus-bulldog-rotary-hammer/bshr11224vsr-rt,default,pd.html?start=2&q=Bulldog

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

BOSCH SDS Max. Used one this summer doing a coy pond job for my mom. I was very impressed with how precise and easy to use it was!

Adam

 

[metal1313]

damn it now i want the second one, i have some tile to rip up and a chipping tool would make life easier

 

[blue dog]

I have 3 Bosch hammer drills in small to big sizes, never had a single problem with them in a commercial work environment. Bosch = good.

 

[fr0mastaj]

I was in the same boat as you, ended up getting the Bosch Bulldog Extreme instead. The money wasnt that far off for a much more capable and versatile tool. I drilled holes into my concrete foundation like butter.

A brand new one is only ~$30 more on Amazon (over previously linked refurbs), and you get their top notch customer service to back it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BB79Q6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BBC71Nova]

You guys are killing me . That chisel capability sounds awesome. Like a mini jackhammer. I could see that being useful.

The SDS is really nice. A buddy of mine rented one to install his 2-post after his HF hammer drill self distructed. Worked like a champ.

I thought they were more expensive. You guys are right though it isn't that much more. I'm gonna read some on them and might end up just going that way. Can they use regular masonry bits or are special bits required?

Thanks!

 

[acer66]

I have a Bosch Bulldog and this has been used/abused for years but still goes strong.
I also have a Bosch adapter so you can use non sds bits, make it quite long but it`s useful.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009H5RFM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[srmofo]

I picked up my bosch bulldog on ebay for $70 in like new condition with 3 new bits. It took me about aweek of searching and waiting. Plenty of them on there and not many bidders

 

[Alchymist]

In a word: Hilti.

http://www.hilti.com/holcom/page/mo...898D003E241D39D8FB.node4?lang=en&nodeId=-8711

 

[IndyGarage]

The hammer function on those conventional drills is nearly useless. If you're drilling 1 or 2 holes, they work, but it's tiring, noisy and they don't do a good job.

If you want a good one buy the SDS - I saw a brand new bulldog for $169 the other day.

I bought a Hilti used from the rental store and it's fantastic.

 

[BFBOB]

Rotary Hammer. SDS. Don't waste your time/money/effort with a hammer drill. For drilling concrete the difference is night and day.
I'm partial to Milwaukee, but it took quite some years for me to use up my first, a Black & Decker I bought for a song Refurbished. I replaced it with a Milwaukee 5363-21 compact, because it gets in tighter places than the d-handle version.
If you have lots of standard masonry bits already, Bosch makes a Jacobs chuck that can actually take the hammering. Put it on an SDS adaptor and you've got options. The Craftsman Heavy Duty chuck will literally explode if you try to hammer with it. The Milwaukee can drill only, hammer & drill, or hammer only, but that seems to be pretty standard.

 

[5lima30]

I love my Makita!

 

[ncfh]

Bosch!

I'm normally a Milwaukee girl. But in this category, Bosch all the way.

The Hiltis are very nice too, but I can't speak to their durability as I've only played with them a few times. Other brands last days to a few months in our hands, while the Bosch hammers just keep working and working.

 

[Ghostrider]

+1 on the bosch sds it has saved me a few times! I have a hilti at work but couldn't "borrow" it when I did my living room remodel, for the price it is WELL worth it.

 

[MD11]

I have a Fein like this one and it's been amazing... priced very well too and comes with an amazing chuck:

http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=221520218&sellerid=33367832

or if you need much more power, but at that price, you'd better need it!:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00307RWY2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[shannonw]

I live in a concrete block house, i rarely use a drill not on hammer! Those are good choices for non sds. For my homeowner stuff I got the Makita hp2050 when i needed a step up from my cheap hitachi. Solid chuck, not sleeved, variable speed, good torque , comes with hard case...about 100 bucks or so. Night and day difference in feeling and accuracy over my old one. If I had thought i needed the next level i'd have probably went one of those 2 you mention..as I considered the Milwaukee too.

As rare as I need sds, I just rent em....but if you ever need to use those that's the way to go as mentioned for the chiseling ability...or if you use it quite alot.

 

[Monte]

Boschhammer

 

[Steevo]

I love my Bosch SDS-plus Bulldog Extreme.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000827PSA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ishiboo]

Another vote for saving up a bit and getting a SDS.

$100 more but I have the RH328VC ($250) and am VERY pleased with it. Plenty of power.

You can also buy a 3-jaw chuck -> SDS plus adapter, which allows you to use cheaper conventional masonry bits and also place the screws. I installed a bunch of windows in my barn concrete and this did a great job, the tap cons were difficult to install for my 36v but the SDS + chuck and a philips bit drove them home no problem

 

[Monte]

 

[CecilTheTurtle]

Just picked up a Bosch Bulldog in good shape with about a dozen SDS bits. Got off CL for $120! Immediately put it to use on some fire-hardened brick in my fireplace. Cut through it like butter. Highly recommended.

 

[volunteers]

I have a rigid for years and it works very good. Bought from HD around $130

 

[bsaint]

In a word: Hilti.

http://www.hilti.com/holcom/page/mo...898D003E241D39D8FB.node4?lang=en&nodeId=-8711

I concur. After using both the Hilti and Bosch, the Hilti feels like it has a higher frequency pulse verses the Bosch, I feel it sinks the bit faster.

Ive been using both brands for about 6 to 8 years now.

 

[BBC71Nova]

You guys have convinced me to go SDS Bosch. Just waiting on a deal . I checked Lowes because I was in there anyway. They have them marked down at the moment. It looks like they have both an older and current model. About $30 or so difference I think it was. Throw a 10% off coupon in there and I think the old model would be 155 or so before tax. Oh, one is 7/8" and the newer one is 1".

 

[Krokodil]

I've also been converted. Going to pick up a Boschhammer this coming weekend.

 

[wilb1976]

Glad u decided to go with the Bosch, u wont regret it!

 

[fr0mastaj]

You guys have convinced me to go SDS Bosch. Just waiting on a deal . I checked Lowes because I was in there anyway. They have them marked down at the moment. It looks like they have both an older and current model. About $30 or so difference I think it was. Throw a 10% off coupon in there and I think the old model would be 155 or so before tax. Oh, one is 7/8" and the newer one is 1".

You sure it isn't just Bulldog (7/8" capacity) vs Bulldog Extreme (1" capacity)? They are both 'current' models, just the latter is slightly more powerful. And the Extreme has a built in hook so you can hang it on a chair/ladder/etc.

 

[acer66]

You sure it isn't just Bulldog (7/8" capacity) vs Bulldog Extreme (1" capacity)? They are both 'current' models, just the latter is slightly more powerful. And the Extreme has a built in hook so you can hang it on a chair/ladder/etc.

1 Plus

 

[Beaumont67]

Reviews: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000827PSA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I almost purchased the standard VSR version of this tool, the difference being the lack of the Clic-Loc quick-release chuck that allows me to easily swap in standard 3-jaw drill bit chuck, so I can run non-SDS bits as well. And at the time I purchased it, this Clic-Loc version was actually selling for less than the version without.

I'm really pleased to have this. My fear is that, once I finish the majority of my reconstruction, I won't have much use for this tool on any sort of regular basis. The Clic-Loc certainly will make it more versatile than an SDS-only tool, so regardless, I'm planning on keeping it in my shop for those rare occasions where I need something with a bit of punch.

 

[acer66]

That's why I got the adapter for regular drill bits since I am also use it for drilling into wood.

 

[BBC71Nova]

1 Plus

This is certainly possible. That's why I added the capacity as well. The main reason I thought maybe one was an older model - besides price - was the overall Design seemed not as current.

 

[Coach James]

Aren't all SDS and SDS plus bits the same diameter shank? The diference being the number of flutes with SDS having 2 and SDS plus having 4?

I wanted a Bosch Bulldog but couldn't justify the cost for the number of times I need one. I bought one from Northern Tool for ~$90 on sale.

It looked similar to this one:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200452867_200452867

but was Northern Tool brand, not Klutch.

I have drill a lot of 1" diameter holes with it, used it as a chisel and as a jack hammer and no problems.

Coach

 

[luvit]

i you don't use it much, buy a black and decker. -- mine cost $60 new from home depot.
i wasn't disappointed. i drilled a 1" hole through 18" of granite foundation.
years later, still drills 5/32" into brick like butter.

 

[CamarosRus]

Would someone please educate or explain to me

1) What is SDS ? (what does it stand for or mean)

2) Must I buy only BOSCH SDS bits that are expensive or are there less expensive concrete bits that fit the Bull Dog SDS

3) Someone wrote about an accessory chuck which Im sure must be costly.I need this tool to drill maybe 10-12 3/4" Holes in concrete slab to anchor two post auto lift....

Thanks

 

[bcradio]

Would someone please educate or explain to me

1) What is SDS ? (what does it stand for or mean)

2) Must I buy only BOSCH SDS bits that are expensive or are there less expensive concrete bits that fit the Bull Dog SDS

3) Someone wrote about an accessory chuck which Im sure must be costly.I need this tool to drill maybe 10-12 3/4" Holes in concrete slab to anchor two post auto lift....

Thanks

try this about mid way down the page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_bit_shank

its German:
"the name comes from the German "Steck – Dreh – Sitz" (Insert – Twist – Stay)."

oh and yes I have both hilti bits and HF bits and both work fine. If you will be using it professionally get bosch or hilti bits otherwise HF bits work fine for occasional use

 

[Justin1776]

I have the older version of the Milwaukee, made by AEG in Germany. Can't go wrong with a Bosch Bulldog SDS, I've used one for years putting in concrete anchors. I also have the Makita 1" SDS from Home Depot, comes with free grinder

 

[lotsoftools]

I have the 5380 and I like it, but after having drilled about two dozen holes I really wish I had stepped up to a rotary hammer. It does the job, but a rotary hammer just works so much better, plus there have been a few times where the straight hammer function would have come in handy.

 

[foolishpride]

It looked similar to this one:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200452867_200452867

but was Northern Tool brand, not Klutch.

Coach

Looks very similar to this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1-1-inch-sds-rotary-hammer-97743.html