Hammer drill suggestions

[nbpt100]

I will be in the market for a decent hammer drill. I dont need the best but a good mid grade drill with 1/2 inch chuck. I will not use it a lot but when I do I need it to perform. Curious what those with relevant experience think.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

Dont play around with a hammer drill

Get an sds plus or sds max rotary hammer

Hammer drills are loud noisy and pretty much useless

A rotary hammer drills through concrete and brick like butter


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[Noworries]

Been using my dewalt for over 10 years... most cordless these days offer a model with hammer setting. If you are just using it occasionally it will more than meet your needs... for regular use of multiple holes.. absolutely a rotary hammer. SDS plus is great but the bits while waaaay cheaper than sds max are getting more scarce it seems

 

[Dodge]

Dont play around with a hammer drill

Get an sds plus or sds max rotary hammer

Hammer drills are loud noisy and pretty much useless

A rotary hammer drills through concrete and brick like butter


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

X2 Very good recommendation. They work. Buy the Harbor Freight.

 

[nbpt100]

X2 Very good recommendation. They work. Buy the Harbor Freight.

Is this what you recommend?
https://www.harborfreight.com/1-in-sds-plus-type-variable-speed-pro-rotary-hammer-kit-63443.html

 

[nadogail]

The absolute best I have had the pleasure of using was Hilte.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I have a rotary SDS Bosch Bulldog. Bought it used and it would have been worth the money even is I had purchased new.

 

[driftpin]

I have a rotary SDS Bosch Bulldog. Bought it used and it would have been worth the money even is I had purchased new.

I was going to be doing some work, and I looked at Hilti ($$$), the Bosch Bulldog model Miss The Pontiacs bought, and then I stopped at HFT to see what they had.

Recognizing that the amount of work I was going to be doing was several days of demolition and then construction, and that after that, my need for the tool wouldn't be frequent, I decided to buy the HFT SDS-MAX (120 volts 8-1/2 amps) and their carbide-tipped drill bits, and a set of several demo bits of different configurations.

The cost of the HFT SDS-MAX was <$90 w/the at-the-time coupons, and the two sets of drill bits and demo bits was half of that, maybe a bit-more. Call it $160 out the door.

The HFT SDS-MAX tool worked like a champ, as-did the bits. My plan was to use the HFT items, and if the tool gave me any issues, I'd return it and buy the Bosch. I didn't need-to do that. I've had it at least a couple of years now, and when I need the HFT, it does whatever I need it to do, quickly, without fuss, extra effort, or breaking.

If I was going to be using it daily, the Hilti has a good reputation for ease of use and longevity, but the Bosch is cheaper. However for my needs, I worked that HFT SDS-MAX all-day for several days, and then occasionally since, and it's never not done what I needed it to-do. I did buy a SDS-MAX Bosch wide-spade bit, for a spare, but it's been sitting unused in its OEM wrapping since I bought it.

The HFT rotary hammer-drill with its switchable action has proven to be capable of doing the job, at reasonable cost, and reliability. One tip, be-sure to grease the flutes of the bits in the chuck, to ensure proper action.

I have a Milwaukee 1/2" impact drill, corded, I've had for many years, I bought it new, and that's what I use for smaller fasteners into masonry, like tapcons.

 

[matt_i]

I went with Hilti TE-5, used. Its about 3 models old now if you count the battery versions.

Works well up to 3/4" which is the max I've tested it at personally.

 

[lardy1]

I used up a cheap one I bought many years ago and replaced it with a refurbished DeWalt.

After owning a hammer drill, I would never be without one again even though I almost never use the hammer feature since I got out of the residential contractor game. As a contractor, I drilled a lot of holes in concrete for Tapcon screws.

 

[Davefr]

If you won't use it much, then I'd look for a used corded hammer or SDS drill. There's a ton of them out there for very little money.

 

[1Garageman]

I have a "M18 FUEL™ 1/2" Hammer Drill/Driver", and love it. It has a special setting for concrete, and it really makes a difference. It will drill straight through concrete on that settings without any problems. Then you switch it back to normal and you have a normal drill to use around the house for standard work. I can't speak highly enough about Milwaukee Fuel tools!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Dont play around with a hammer drill

Get an sds plus or sds max rotary hammer

True, but they are expensive and have only one purpose. Making holes in rick/concrete.

 

[driftpin]

Dont play around with a hammer drill

Get an sds plus or sds max rotary hammer

Hammer drills are loud noisy and pretty much useless

A rotary hammer drills through concrete and brick like butter

True, but they are expensive and have only one purpose. Making holes in (B)rick/concrete.

I think the HFT hammer drill is a good tool offering impacts and drilling. Need demo? Impacts switch. Need holes? Impacts with drilling.

A thread with more on the topic:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=422696&highlight=SDS-max

Here is the current HFT switchable demo tool, rotary hammer drill: 120 volts, 11 amps, SDS-MAX bits, $179. The gear case appears to be magnesium (labelled). (first attach.)
https://www.harborfreight.com/power...e-pro-variable-speed-rotary-hammer-64425.html

They (HFT) have a standard SDS bit (not SDS-MAX bits) rated at a bit-less hole capacity, for $100, their Bauer brand. (second attach.)
https://www.harborfreight.com/power...riable-speed-pro-rotary-hammer-kit-64288.html

Actually, their $179 tool is also branded Bauer.

For occasional use, not at the limits of the tool capacity, I think the standard SDS bit tool for $100 would probably work. If you spend the extra warranty $ you have a year to break it, and usually the price for that isn't much. If they wanted $30 extra for the warranty, I think I'd just spring for the 11 amp SDS-MAX one at $179.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I've used hammer drills from the days of RedHead, then the Hilti. The word Hilti is used for both concrete drills and the gun, so that gives you an idea about how universal they are in construction. For home I bought a Bosch , a 1/2" hammer drill, I was very unimpressed, just 1/4" bolt inserts. 3/8 holes I guess. Compared to the industrial ones, it was pathetic. I guess they would be OK for cinder blocks and the very rare 1/4" in poor quality concrete. At the fleamarket I keep my eyes open for a Hilti. I did find TE-12, a small Hilti. It was a big improvement. If you are going to drill holes in concrete, use the proper tool even if you have to rent one.

 

[driftpin]

I've used hammer drills from the days of RedHead, then the Hilti. The word Hilti is used for both concrete drills and the gun, so that gives you an idea about how universal they are in construction. For home I bought a Bosch , a 1/2" hammer drill, I was very unimpressed, just 1/4" bolt inserts. 3/8 holes I guess. Compared to the industrial ones, it was pathetic. I guess they would be OK for cinder blocks and the very rare 1/4" in poor quality concrete. At the fleamarket I keep my eyes open for a Hilti. I did find TE-12, a small Hilti. It was a big improvement. If you are going to drill holes in concrete, use the proper tool even if you have to rent one.

I can't argue with that one, nor, would I want-to.

I checked Home Depot rental rates for a 120 volt, 7 amp demo rotary hammer drill tool (below), and found that for < two days' rental, you could buy the $100 HFT demo hammer drill I posted above. For me, not much of a choice there.

Makita
DESCRIPTION
Model # HR2811F
Ideal for concrete fasteners, anchor holes, tapcon installation and overhead drilling
7 AMP motor with 0-1,100 RPM and 0-4,500 BPM
Operate in any of 3 modes of operation; rotation only, hammering with rotation and hammering only

 

[Bretny]

I got the $80 SDS from HF. I have put many hours behind
this thing and it's working quite well. Looks like hell like just about any hammer drill after real use. Its alreaty paid for its self if I was to rent one.

 

[kngelv]

True, but they are expensive and have only one purpose. Making holes in rick/concrete.

Not true. I have used mine for chipping concrete, driving ground rods and mixing mortar.

James

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I'm an old phart, as you might guess referring to RedHeads. So when we changed the wall to wall for vinyl plank, we agreed to pull and dispose of the rug. When we had the house built, following the rule, good carpet and the best underlay, we used waffle foam rubber . After 35 years the foam rubber had degraded and glued itself to the subfoor. I ended up using a thin set chipping blade on a rotary jack hammer, SDS Max? a splined hammer drill. Checking them out, I went with a Bosch 12amp. A week of hard work.

There are other uses.

Oh, by the way until I was faced with chipping out the rubber, I had no intension of getting a big jack hammer drill.

 

[dnschmidt]

My experience is that hammer drills (and I've got three - B&D Industrial, Metabo, and Milwaukee M12 Cordless) are useless unless you're drilling into concrete block or brick for a Tapcon. For real honest to goodness concrete drilling such as anchors they are junk. Not a concern of mine since I've got a Bosch bulldog corded and a relatively big Milwaukee M18 cordless in SDS-Max.

 

[tarbellb]

Best- Hilti or Bosch , $$$

Bang for buck- HF

The difference between a drill w/ "hammer" and a true SDS(aka rotary) is massive. Well worth the price of any SDS over a good hammer drill.

There is concrete that a hammer drill will NOT get through. Diameter is another limiting factor.

Masonry bits, or carbide tipped are easy to find on sale, specifically Ebay or Cripe Dist.

 

[RTM]

I've got an old Bosch 11202, and it is a beast for drilling, digging, chipping. But its also 13#, so I wouldn't recommend it for casual use. Just bought a ground rod driver for it, was more expensive than the drill when bought used and non-hammering, but spinning.

Main purchase was to dig a trench under the house, where the dirt is hard as hell.

 

[engineer2]

A lot depends on what material you want to hammer drill, how many holes, and what the diameter and depth of the holes are.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

A warning about the SDS Max, the big splined one, the bits are expensive. I can buy a pack of half dozen Irwin brand bits for the Hilti without crying, heck that will last me my next two lifetimes, but a single SDS chisel bit was $25, everywhere. And that thin set scraper blade was $200. I was warned that you can end up more in bits than the machine. Oh BTW he said an extension was a great addition.

 

[Den69rs96]

I just bought a DeWalt 998 power detect hammer drill kit with 8ah battery and charger. I got it at Lowes and came with a second 8ah battery for free during the promotion. The drill has a lot of power and can drill brick or concrete blocks with ease. I used it to drill into my garage floor at the threshold. The concrete had chipped and I set about 8 screws so the concrete patch would have something to hold onto. It worked ok. If you have a lot of holes to drill in real concrete, get something like a Bosch Bulldog. I see them all over FB market place. If you only drilling a few smaller holes in concrete, the hammer drill will do it, but take much longer.

 

[Formerjeeper]

I will be in the market for a decent hammer drill. I dont need the best but a good mid grade drill with 1/2 inch chuck. I will not use it a lot but when I do I need it to perform. Curious what those with relevant experience think.

If you're in the market for one, see the thread linked below before you buy the HF version. My offer still stands if they still have them in stock.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455560

 

[muddyriverdogz]

It depends on what your intended use is. If you want to do nothing with it but drill holes in rock then by all means get a rotary hammer drill. If you want a drill with a 1/2 chuck for occasional rock drilling ability then get a hammer drill. I would recommend the Milwaukee corded (you don't need a battery pack tool for everything specially for home use. A corded tool will work like day 1 for decades).