Hammer drill

[gar2191]

I wanted to get a hammer drill at HD. Under 100. The best per reviews was the 89 dollar Dewalt. I need the correct bits for drilling cinder block and Hardi plank.
What is the best source for about 20-25 bits suitable for a small hammer drill.
I am using the smaller tapcon screws.I think they are 3/16. I have about 900 holes to drill
but only about 50 are in the cinder block. THe Hardi is not that hard to drill.

 

[The Cobbler]

tapcons come with drill bits...

 

[gar2191]

i meant i was using only 50 tapcon and 900 regular Torx screws..

 

[Thumper68]

I would upgrade to a bosch bulldog if you have that many holes to drill. I like the Bosch bits as well, they seem to hold up very well even hot.

 

[SteveCh]

I've had best luck drilling concrete with my rotary hammer and Bosch bits. No doubt that would do well with cinder block. The Bosch bits are the best I have used.

Note: when I rec'd my Tapcon sample kit, alerted to it here on the forum, it came with a Bosch SDS bit.

 

[Robinson1]

You need a 5/32 bit for 3/16 tapcons the bits sold under the tapcon name work very well and if you buy a full box of tapcons you will get 1 free bit. The DeWalt Rock Carbide bits are among the best I have used for small diameter holes. I've worn out a couple small Milwaukee hammer drills doing nothing but drilling 5/32 holes for form work. You don't need an SDS if all you want to do is tapcons.

I'll second the Bosch bits as well, especially their SDS bits. I've got a Bosch SDS-Plus 1/2x12 bit that drilled 300+ full depth holes and it still cuts like new. I even snagged a couple pieces of rebar with it, and that usually jerks the carbide off the bit. That Bosch bit just laughed and kept drilling.

 

[kctyphoon]

or you can get the Tapcon installion kit, that come with the bits and hex drivers.. Milwaukee, Bosch, Greenlee, and probably another half dozen brands make a kit like this..

honestly just goto HD and look at whats on the shelves.. none of what your drilling is that hard anway.. for having close to 1000 holes to drill though, it might make sense to upgrade to an sds style drill.. the bosch and Milwaukee are good choices, but above your budget.

 

[DMAR]

I've had good luck with Milwaukee hammer drills. Probably not going to find one for $100, but I believe in the buy once, cry once school of thought; no regrets... Not sure of the quality of the recent Milwaukee's, but the older ones were the best you could buy, IMO. Most tool manufacturers have changed their products to meet the mass-consumer crowd at the big box stores and are just putting out China disposable tools now, and so they're all probably about the same anyway!

I agree that Bosch makes good bits. I've got a bunch of old made in USA Bosch bits that are good, not sure if they are still made in USA, or Chinasoft, again, like most of the other ones out there these days...? I'd search Ebay to find a volume deal at a decent price.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Gar - I have an new Bosch HD21-2 up for grabs, a little over your budget but I'd let it go for $110+ ship to a GJ member. PM me if interested.

 

[ron in sc]

I would never use a hammer drill. I have burned up at least 2 bosch hammer drills.


Get a decent bosch rotary hammer.

 

[dogdog]

if you are going with hammer drills.... bosch drill bits with a lot of water for coolant... spray often and never let your bit turn blue...... those bits can last pretty long if slow down your drilling and you keep it cool + lubricated with water often.

 

[flat tire]

rent a hilti drill and be done in half the time