Cordless Drill or Hammer Drill?

[Jsf721]

I have a Milwaukee 18V Hammer Drill that replaced a DeWalt 12 drill I killed by using it for concrete. I am getting tired of lugging it back and forth to work when I need it. I use it to install trial items and some times need to get into poured concrete. I will be buying a new tool for my home and I am unsure what to buy? I would like a cordless unit, 18 Volts and most likely hammer just in case I need to extra power.

Can someone school me on best brands for the buck. I don't earn a livig with my tool nor do I work them for many hours at a time but I appreciate a quality product.

I would also consider a multi-pack of cordless tools. Not sure if those are lower quality.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

so what are you going to use it on? for continuous heavy duty work, corded drill is way to go. (on concrete? of courser hammer drill, no brainer)

for basic home use (light/medium work) Bosch, Milwaukee.

good site for reviews.

http://toolguyd.com/?s=drills

 

[Jsf721]

Thanks, I need a cordless and the Milwaukee has held up weel for my use. Just checking in to see if there was a better tools in that price range.

so what are you going to use it on? for continuous heavy duty work, corded drill is way to go. (on concrete? of courser hammer drill, no brainer)

for basic home use (light/medium work) Bosch, Milwaukee.

good site for reviews.

http://toolguyd.com/?s=drills

 

[rlitman]

Is your Milwaukee the M18 battery system or the V18.
The Milwaukee Fuel 18V hammer drill is absolutely fantastic, and takes the M18 battery. If you need a second drill, it is nice to be able to stick to one battery system, so there is an advantage if you already have M18 batteries.

 

[Jsf721]

My older Hammer Drill is the V18 not the newer slimmer fuel.
I am shopping them and I see there is a 3/8 and 1/2" drive. What is the signifigance? I use regular drill bits, Masonary bits and screw drive tips?

Is the Craftsman version junk I see it for 144.00 with 2 batteries, charger and drill. He Milwaukee is 2x the price and I was happy with the quyality of the old one. Hows the craftsman?

Is your Milwaukee the M18 battery system or the V18.
The Milwaukee Fuel 18V hammer drill is absolutely fantastic, and takes the M18 battery. If you need a second drill, it is nice to be able to stick to one battery system, so there is an advantage if you already have M18 batteries.

 

[bcradio]

I would like a cordless unit, 18 Volts and most likely hammer just in case I need to extra power.

Hammer drills do not have extra power. It is just an extra feature that allows drilling masonry and VERY light duty concrete.

I would look at sets that have the most tools you want. Makita and Dewalt have very nice 18v setups.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

Corded hammer drill is your best bet. Batteries dont hold up that long if continuous.

 

[Big-Foot]

I have the Makita LXT series and it works well as a cordless hammer drill for smaller jobs and Tapcons. Frankly though as much as I like my Makita, I don't think it, or Milwaukee, Dewalt or any other brand of "Cordless" hammer drills are long for this world when used as a hammer drill for any extended period of time in an industrial setting..

 

[IndyGarage]

I have the Makita LXT series and it works well as a cordless hammer drill for smaller jobs and Tapcons. Frankly though as much as I like my Makita, I don't think it, or Milwaukee, Dewalt or any other brand of "Cordless" hammer drills are long for this world when used as a hammer drill for any extended period of time in an industrial setting..

Unless you are drilling tiny holes in concrete, then I've found the hammer function of a cordless hammer drill is useless.

Go buy a corded or cordless SDS and your life is much easier. Look for a Bosch bulldog or something similar. If you have a small budget, they are readily available used.

 

[Jsf721]

My older Milwaukee HD 18V has done everything I have asked for to do. My 12 Volt dewalt did not. I purchased the Milwaukee on sale a few year ago and I want a drill to leave at home. Since I am only buying 1 I would like a HD function as well.

I have the Makita LXT series and it works well as a cordless hammer drill for smaller jobs and Tapcons. Frankly though as much as I like my Makita, I don't think it, or Milwaukee, Dewalt or any other brand of "Cordless" hammer drills are long for this world when used as a hammer drill for any extended period of time in an industrial setting..

 

[Jsf721]

Will look at Mikita thanks

Hammer drills do not have extra power. It is just an extra feature that allows drilling masonry and VERY light duty concrete.

I would look at sets that have the most tools you want. Makita and Dewalt have very nice 18v setups.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Hammer drills do not have extra power. It is just an extra feature that allows drilling masonry and VERY light duty concrete.

Bingo...I cant see the point of a hammer drill at all.
Get a nice Drill/Driver and save up for an SDS if you need to drill concrete. I have the Milwaukee Fuel 18v Drill/Driver which is an AWESOME drill, and a Bosch Bulldog for concrete
Also have a Milwaukee hammer drill similar to this: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200192074_200192074?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Power%20Tools-_-Rotary%20Hammers-_-M0148&ci_sku=M0148&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}&gclid=CKXexK6ngbUCFUqoPAodo0gAkA
Great drill, but for hammer/concrete, its a joke compared to a SDS.

 

[rlitman]

Bingo...I cant see the point of a hammer drill at all.
Get a nice Drill/Driver and save up for an SDS if you need to drill concrete. . . .
Great drill, but for hammer/concrete, its a joke compared to a SDS.

I disagree. There are often big differences between the hammer and non-hammer version of a drill, beyond the hammer capability, so it may be worth getting the hammer, even if you never use it in hammer mode.

I just wrote that up here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2856526&postcount=17

Yes, an SDS for concrete is by far the way to go.

 

[kossuth]

I've had pretty good luck with a getting alot of my power tools from these guys https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com/ but their online catalog doesn't show much. You have to go into their outlet store if you have one local to see what all they got. The one near me is about 30 miles from me and it's hard to beat their prices on stuff particularly on big ticket items. I picked up a 18V Ridgid Hammer drill with two LiIon packs for about $150 with a one year warranty on everything. It works AOK for drilling into cinder block and such but it's application is limited like others have said. Installing things like tapcons and smaller fasteners into masonary, concrete, and block is pretty effortless with my hammer drill, but for larger stuff I'm doing I have a Bosch SDS drill for anything 3/8" or larger. SDS drill is too much for smaller stuff, but for larger stuff it's the only tool for the job.

 

[rlitman]

I admit that when I'm putting in one tapcon, I'll chuck the 5/32" bit in my cordless, switch it to hammer, and have at it. Four tapcons, and I'm pulling out the SDS.

 

[RonM3]

I bought the Milwaukee 2611-24 last year. So far I am very happy with it. I have used it both as a hammer drill and regular drill with no issues.