harborfreight SDS hammer drill - go buy one!

[american lockpicker]

The manufacturing base provides quality jobs that can provide good quality of living. Not everyone can be a service industry worker if this country is going to prosper.

I agree 100%.

 

[bsaint]

This thread is no longer about hammer drills. :rolls:

 

[srmofo]

First off you guys are too easySomeone should have picked up on it because I was asking for a mod to delete most of the thread, it was late and I was trolling, but let me address a few points you guys made.

The rental cost for a one time job is cheaper than that $79 harbor freight drill. And you wouldn't have a weak sister of the poor drill for the job either...More use than that? Well, I would just buy a decent product then because I would feel it was worth it. I could get a used rotohammer for less than $100.

No, I don't support HF jobs because those are worthless jobs that don't grow the economy or support a quality standard of living.

The rentals around here are nearly $50 (hf is $60 with coupon)by the time you get out the door. Its absolutely a better tool, no disagreement there.30 seconds per hole vs 10 is worth the $300+ difference to me for so few holes.

But how does renting a tool made in another country from a corporate conglomerate that only has "service" jobs help this country?

Im not planning on it using it for more than drilling 3 holes for the compressor and less than 20 for a few lag bolts. Ive been searching for a used hilti, but so far I have only come up with abused and neglected tools. Buying used doesnt help support USA jobs either.

I guess my issue with your point of view is, both tools are made in a different country. Both tools either bought or rented only help the service industry which in your opinion "those are worthless jobs that don't grow the economy or support a quality standard of living".

So American works shouldn't get paid well and have good working conditions?

Sorry, Hi ball said "just blame the unions" in the post right above it, so I did. I tried showing sarcasm with italics. Dont get me wrong though, Im in no way pro-union and feel for the most part in certain fields they do more harm than good. I like what they have done as far as making working enviroments safer for the people employed in dangerous careers. Employees should get paid what the market will handle, paying a factory line worker $30+/hour to screw a few bolts in is not substainable and in recent years we have suffered the consequences.

....It makes me Sad Inside Ah.. Hell blame the Unions.

Thats simply not the case. You are still pumping money into the US economy, Whether its the Container Trains i Haul across the midwest to the Truck drivers whom deliver them to the store and the Employees who unload them. .

Thats what a lot of people tend to forget or not realize, Its not just the retail jobs at the store. Its the ship guys, dock guys, train guys, truck guys that also make a living hauling this **** around

The manufacturing base provides quality jobs that can provide good quality of living. Not everyone can be a service industry worker if this country is going to prosper.
.

Its sad to say, but not everyone can work manufacturing job either, Some people are just too stupid and lazy to do anything more than flip burgers or run a cash register. Now Im not saying everyone that does those jobs is stupid or lazy, so dont take it that way. And at the end of the day we still need someone to do those service jobs.


I can understand your point of view to a certain degree. Personally , a majority of my hand tools are cornwell. Not only are they USA, but they are made a few hours north of me in ohio.

But I also have to weigh the pros and cons of my purchases, and from my post above you can see my dilemma of how does it help this country in anyway, shape or form buying what I consider to be a one use tool ( in my case). Its either $400 or $60,thats not even close. Hell at $200, in great shape, I would probably buy a hilti or bosch, which is why I have been searching craigslist and ebay. Just havent had any luck yet.

If your real issue with this whole thing is that too much **** is coming from china and you are taking a stand against them, then I applaud you. I personally dont have the extra time to scour every package I pick up and make sure it didnt come from china. I do for large purchases, and things I want to last a while, but as long as this drill makes it through the first job, financially I am ahead of renting it.

Sorry for the long post

On a side note, you dont buy much from lowes do ya? The was up there last week picking up a few small things and the only thing I manages to buy that was USA was a pack of razor blades and some t-60 staples. I think they have eliminated almost everything USA in that store

 

[Alchymist]

Over the years I've used most all brands of various power and hand tools. Usually you get value for price; ie, cheap tool, works ok for a while, sometimes exceptionally. $$ tool, works exceptionally for a long time, but not always. My hand tools carry most major US names - SO, Bonney, Wilson, Craftsman (old), Williams, SK, etc. Yes, there are a few HF.

I have had HF tools (hand and power) that gave excellent service, (esp some grinders), and some that were absolute ****. Evaluate, and the **** gets disassembled, some parts reused and the rest recycled.

One thing I did notice - when I smack my finger with a HF hammer, it hurts more than when I do it with a Snap On hammer.

 

[MrMark]

My 4 hour rentals are way cheaper. I can rent a jack hammer for 20 for 4 hours.

smofo, a small Bosch Bulldog is around $200. I'm sure you can find a used one for $100. If you are thinking about getting a HF you sure don't need a Hilti.

On the rental, I am not saying that the rental helps the US more than buying the HF drill as that would take a lot of analysis. I consider it better to put the money in some local business than HF and China. You were right about my stand, I simply don't want to support the trade imbalance.

As far as service industry jobs, remember I was referring to HF jobs, not service industry in general. You took that out of context and I caught you. Some service industry jobs are obviously better than others. There needs to be a balance though because quite frankly, there are many many people that are best suited to do skilled factory jobs. Everyone can't be a lawyer.

As far as Lowes goes, yes it pretty much disgusts me. I walk in there and never buy anything. I really don't know how they stay in business because they don't have anything interesting.

 

[MrMark]

Oh, on the used: remember that high quality tools command high prices at least in part because of their resale value. Without a used market Snap-on new prices would have to be adjusted. So, the new and used markets are intertwined and I don't feel it is entirely fair to say that buying a used tool does not support a U.S. producer.

Here:

Try to find a nice one
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr...&_nkw=bosch+bulldog&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[Hoss356]

This thread should've been put to rest along time ago. How I got suckered into making it beyond page three is beyond me but some of YOU need to realize there's a difference between arguing and debating.

I emphasized the word "you" to provide an example of a word that should be left out of debating because as soon as it's used you guys sound like a flock of pigeons and I'm thinking why the f--k am I reading this S--T?!

MODS I mean this in a good way, why isn't this thread locked already?

 

[bchee]

If this thread is still about the HF SDS drill I have an actual question about it.

Do these SDS rotary drills typically only have a single speed? The HF drill only has one speed, regardless of how hard you depress the trigger. I'm guessing it's less than 1000 rpm, but I'm not sure.

Do the more expensive brands have variable speed?

 

[gabeancounter]

If this thread is still about the HF SDS drill I have an actual question about it.

Do these SDS rotary drills typically only have a single speed? The HF drill only has one speed, regardless of how hard you depress the trigger. I'm guessing it's less than 1000 rpm, but I'm not sure.

Do the more expensive brands have variable speed?

Yes, my milwaukee sds works like most other drills. The more you pull the trigger the quicker the action. You can go veryyyy slow to start the hole then speed up.

 

[bchee]

I wonder if I got a dud?

 

[mad57]

Well broke down and bought the hammer drill 3 in 1, it will be fine for the odds and ends i need to drill into the slab to finish off the garage shop. made 4.. 5/8 holes about 4 in deep like it was cutting butter, got it at sale and 20% off to boot out the door $64 bucks, also picked up welding rod holders $6, drill press (table vise )adjustable $19, some other stuff and last days for the free flash light and multi meter so i got both of those with coupons. figured id post a review on the 3 in 1 hammer drill for the $ cant be beat.

 

[BBQ&Love]

I would rather hire a PROFESSIONAL with HF tools and the talent to do a good job than some DOUCHEBAG with expensive tools that can't do the job properly! JMO.

You set up a false dichotomy there.

 

[mmg440]

If this thread is still about the HF SDS drill I have an actual question about it.

Do these SDS rotary drills typically only have a single speed? The HF drill only has one speed, regardless of how hard you depress the trigger. I'm guessing it's less than 1000 rpm, but I'm not sure.

Do the more expensive brands have variable speed?

I wonder if I got a dud?

Will anyone else that has it make a comment, does he have a dud or is it just single speed?

If it is single speed does that make much harder to work with?
I am thinking of getting one for home and shop projects.
How long are the bits that come with it?

 

[mmg440]

Ordered one last night. For what I am doing I hope it works great for me. I have found some of there items work great and other fall short. I used a few of there grinders. They them all seemed ok and seem to hold up fairly good. The cheapo saws-all I got there fell short but I guess not for the price.( it was a back up for my Milwaukee anyway.) I have there inner tie rod end tool and ball joint press at work professionally for about 3 years and the both have held up well. My 15 dollar 1/4 air ratchet is a bit weak after 6 months of daily use but still working. Can't complain too much.

 

[bchee]

Ordered one last night.

 

[metal1313]

i have one of these, and even though it was replaced by a nice used hilti, i still use it. it gets used for a few reasons, one being when i have a helper and need another gun running to speed things up, and two, really the main reason i still have it, is when im doing really dirty/wet work. i think the last time i used it i was working in a mud hole attempting to bust though a wall to run some pipe. the thing got really wet and muddy but if it dies as a result no big deal

 

[toolman1967]

I bought one when my Bosch went craps on me while setting the sill plate on my garage. I havent replaced it yet because the HF one works so well. Made me a believer.

 

[cglasgow]

...and it's on sale through April 17th for $59:
http://widgets.harborfreight.com/ws...tml&single=true&cust=78139415861&keycode=0000

 

[garagebug]

This discussion is easily summed up as follows: MrMark is an ignorant (_!_)

Necro Bugmenot, fools.

 

[Hoss356]

This discussion is easily summed up as follows: MrMark is an ignorant (_!_)

Necro Bugmenot, fools.

Too much whiskey tonight? Or just digging up old threads trolling for an argument to take out the frustrations of defeat that you have left over from getting stuck behind a little old lady in the carpool lane this afternoon?

 

[ogorir]

Fair warning: necropost

This thread comes up as one of the front page google hits for "rotary hammer bosch vs harbor freight"

I have had a 1-1/8" harbor freight rotary hammer for about 6 years, it has drilled about a thousand holes 1/2, 5/8, or 3/4 and was used for about 10 straight hours busting up concrete curbing for brick column footings (diamond saw cut edge w/ angle grinder, drill holes, bust up w/ chisel, repeat).

I've recently moved into doing more gate and fence work, so my need for drilling holes, possibly large ones, in concrete is increasing. I drilled a 1"x12" hole through a concrete stem wall with it this week, and were it not for the 3/8" plate I ran into 4" in, it would've been a sub 4 minute hole. It had no problem drilling 3/4" holes through rebar for the 2-post lift anchors with a good bosch bit. I will add that the HF carbide drill bits that I bought with it 6 years ago still cut, haven't broken one and they did all the work on the 12 brick column footing demo, but I did break the chisel.

And now to the reason I'm bringing this rotten corpse of a thread back, despite the 7 pages of douchebaggery in the middle of the thread. I burnt up the small(and useless) harbor freight corded 'hammer drill' using a holesaw to cut through the 3/8 plate in said hole, which got me thinking about the big hammer drill and what I'm going to do when it finally kicks the bucket. I kick the living **** out of it because it's a cheap tool, but it has tons of power and never seems to break a sweat, even under extended use (ie a 10 hour day of two guys passing it back and forth breaking up concrete). That said, I like quality tools and my general outlook on harbor freight is buy their best version of whatever tool to see if that's the correct tool for the job I need, use it until it dies, and buy a real one. So, I set about trying to find an equivalent bosch tool.

The current production HF hammer has listed impact energy of 3.7 ft-lbs, 10 amp listed draw, it's still $90 with no coupon.

The Bosch RH328VC is listed at 2.8 ft lbs , 8 amp listed draw , and $250
The Bosch RH432VCQ is listed at 3.1 ft lbs, 8.5A, and $400
THe 432 appears to be the largest hammer Bosch offers in SDS-plus.

I assume that the harbor freight hammer is over-rated, probably as much as 25%, which puts it down with the 328VC. At the same time, it draws more current than both the Bosch models and the one I have is certainly not lacking for power, drilling or chipping. It doesn't have enough nuts to effectively break concrete IE busting up sidewalk, but it's great for chipping and is really too much for brick/block.

So... seeing that, I have a real hard time justifying taking the plunge on a $400 unit that, on paper, doesn't put out the same impact as a $90 unit, especially considering that HF has come out with an SDS-max unit for $130 that outputs 6.6 ft lbs (10.5a) and the nearest bosch to it (11264EVS, 6.5ft lbs, 13A, $550)(RH745, 7.6 ft lbs,13.5A, $730)


Long story short, I'm thinking of buying one of the smaller bosch rotary hammer/ hammer drill combinations (11255VSR, 2.0 ft lbs, 8A, $200) that has a drill-only mode for small anchors and tap-cons and the SDS-max HF unit when my current HF unit craps out. Soliciting opinions of anyone who has used any of these models, especially the 11255VSR and either current production HF drill, and especially someone who has a nice company drill and a HF at home who can actually compare.

 

[bcradio]

Fair warning: necropost

This thread comes up as one of the front page google hits for "rotary hammer bosch vs harbor freight"

I have had a 1-1/8" harbor freight rotary hammer for about 6 years, it has drilled about a thousand holes 1/2, 5/8, or 3/4 and was used for about 10 straight hours busting up concrete curbing for brick column footings (diamond saw cut edge w/ angle grinder, drill holes, bust up w/ chisel, repeat).

I've recently moved into doing more gate and fence work, so my need for drilling holes, possibly large ones, in concrete is increasing. I drilled a 1"x12" hole through a concrete stem wall with it this week, and were it not for the 3/8" plate I ran into 4" in, it would've been a sub 4 minute hole. It had no problem drilling 3/4" holes through rebar for the 2-post lift anchors with a good bosch bit. I will add that the HF carbide drill bits that I bought with it 6 years ago still cut, haven't broken one and they did all the work on the 12 brick column footing demo, but I did break the chisel.

And now to the reason I'm bringing this rotten corpse of a thread back, despite the 7 pages of douchebaggery in the middle of the thread. I burnt up the small(and useless) harbor freight corded 'hammer drill' using a holesaw to cut through the 3/8 plate in said hole, which got me thinking about the big hammer drill and what I'm going to do when it finally kicks the bucket. I kick the living **** out of it because it's a cheap tool, but it has tons of power and never seems to break a sweat, even under extended use (ie a 10 hour day of two guys passing it back and forth breaking up concrete). That said, I like quality tools and my general outlook on harbor freight is buy their best version of whatever tool to see if that's the correct tool for the job I need, use it until it dies, and buy a real one. So, I set about trying to find an equivalent bosch tool.

The current production HF hammer has listed impact energy of 3.7 ft-lbs, 10 amp listed draw, it's still $90 with no coupon.

The Bosch RH328VC is listed at 2.8 ft lbs , 8 amp listed draw , and $250
The Bosch RH432VCQ is listed at 3.1 ft lbs, 8.5A, and $400
THe 432 appears to be the largest hammer Bosch offers in SDS-plus.

I assume that the harbor freight hammer is over-rated, probably as much as 25%, which puts it down with the 328VC. At the same time, it draws more current than both the Bosch models and the one I have is certainly not lacking for power, drilling or chipping. It doesn't have enough nuts to effectively break concrete IE busting up sidewalk, but it's great for chipping and is really too much for brick/block.

So... seeing that, I have a real hard time justifying taking the plunge on a $400 unit that, on paper, doesn't put out the same impact as a $90 unit, especially considering that HF has come out with an SDS-max unit for $130 that outputs 6.6 ft lbs (10.5a) and the nearest bosch to it (11264EVS, 6.5ft lbs, 13A, $550)(RH745, 7.6 ft lbs,13.5A, $730)


Long story short, I'm thinking of buying one of the smaller bosch rotary hammer/ hammer drill combinations (11255VSR, 2.0 ft lbs, 8A, $200) that has a drill-only mode for small anchors and tap-cons and the SDS-max HF unit when my current HF unit craps out. Soliciting opinions of anyone who has used any of these models, especially the 11255VSR and either current production HF drill, and especially someone who has a nice company drill and a HF at home who can actually compare.

The Harbor Freight unit should have a drill only mode also. I mean the one you currently have. If it does not I would get the new version of the SDS Plus from Harbor Freight as well as the SDS Max from Harbor Freight. Having both of those should serve you well and put you at a reasonable cost.

 

[kwschumm]

Thank you, no.

 

[xin]

Thank you, no.

I 2nd that...

To hard to earn money and spend it on trinkets.

 

[Coach James]

I have the HF SDS Max rotary hammer. I bought it to drill 1.5" holes in concrete to put up a ring tower in our gym. It worked fine, including boring through some wire mesh and small diameter rebar. I did use Bosch bits though.

I have rented a Bosch SDS Max from the rental house before, but I didn't want to keep paying to rent.

I also have Ryobi and Black and Decker hammer drills, both USA made. I would not attempt to use either one to drill holes the size of the ones I used the HF Max for.

Coach

 

[23ford]

I have used the Bosh and HF sds drills by far the HF out preforms the Bosh hands down....When we use the sds id is for hours straight.......Bosch needs a rest after 1 to 2 hours.

 

[Fly YX]

how could you have not had a SDS plus roto hammer before this?

And why not spend the 240 on a decent Bosch model?

Instead of junk that will let you down at the worst possible time.

I never understand the philosophy of buyng cheap tools. Even with the odd ball tool you think you are only going to use once it never works out that way.

If I hired someone and they showed up with HF tools I would send them home. Shows me they are either not serious about their profession or not successful enough to afford quality tools.

A homeowner with a HF tool is one thing, a working man with one is quite another . ..

When I was younger I was working at a small company that serviced automation equipment and animatronics. I would bring my specialty test equipment but some stuff I would buy on site because I could not bring everything. At the shop we had all name brand higher-end equipment but cant bring it all out of town. On this one job there was a Harbor Freight close so I stopped in to get some tools when I showed up on site the guy just laughed at me and would not let me work on anything. The company ended up firing the guy that would not let me work on the equipment. Cheap tools like that we just left at the site if they needed it to work on the equipment again.

 

[driftpin]

I bought the Harbor Freight SDS Max rotary hammer drill, item # 69334, 8-1/2 amps, variable-speed, which also works as a demo chipping hammer. It works very well, it cost me < $100 on-sale. I bought an extra wide spade bit, a needle-point bit, and a narrow spade bit. I also bought the 3-drill bit set, I believe they're 1/2" 5/8" and 3/4", with four carbide cross-tip cutting edges. The first job I used it on was the demo of two bathrooms, plaster walls and concrete/tile floors. It paid for itself there. I don't need one every day, this one did what I needed it to, and every job after the first is like a free rental from the big orange box store.

I keep the grease vault filled, I check it every time I use it, and I grease the flutes on the bits, which helps the action. It shows no-sign of giving problems and is doing all I ask of it at a very reasonable cost. Some people want to drive a Cadillac, but the Chevy gets you to the same place, more-cheaply.

Tool elitism is a preference, a choice one makes. Does it mean the person is better at their trade, or that they reach more-deeply into their wallet to indulge in their choices of tools?