HILTI

[mobiledynamics]

Aside from Hammers and PATS, does Hilti have a major presence in the commercial world these days....aside from most masonry shops who is either using an air jack or a corded Hilti.

Myself, I still have the Hilti Sawzall. Smoothest reciprocating saw I've ever used.....but I don't touch it ever , and grab the M18 obviously - I paid way too much for it....I think it was like 8 Benjis for this. I still have a smaller TEC7 hammer but again, M18 has replaced it in usage.

I do see some of their stuff in the commercial world, but I don't see it being used as much as back in the day. The millworker currently building out my office space is using a Hilti Laser but everything else is pretty much Yellow tools.

I don't follow Hilti but back a decade+ ago, if a tool failed, like SnapOn. Hilti Rep would just get a replacement sent to the *site* while under warranty if I recall. Part of the price ...of the tooling, was the support behind it. I haven't followed Hilti in ages though

 

[Corndoggeh]

I have a Hilti 1/2" impact wrench and an impact driver. Have had the same 2 batteries for ~8 years now with no sign of degradation from use on my projects/repair/junkyard runs and being stored in 110+ degree garage.

I rarely see them in the commercial world but last I checked you can order them from Homedepot.

 

[Qualitytools]

Hilti is the name they use in Europe and the Middle East to refer to a drill (oh, you mean a Hilti, they say?). That Is what I encountered traveling. Don’t see it much here anymore on the west coast I did see some workers using them when I was on a job site in Manhattan, NY.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have a Hilti TE17 hammer drill and a corded Hilti drywall screw gun, both really good tools.

 

[nadogail]

In my somewhat limited experience, Hilti has been to tools as Kodachrome was to photography, often imitated but never surpassed.

 

[Rc_Guy]

I have a Hilti 1/2" impact wrench and an impact driver. Have had the same 2 batteries for ~8 years now with no sign of degradation from use on my projects/repair/junkyard runs and being stored in 110+ degree garage.

I rarely see them in the commercial world but last I checked you can order them from Homedepot.

Hilti was the common hammer drill and wet core drill when I got into the union in 1997, now, not so much but the shop I retired from still have a few electric hilti hammer drills and core drills

 

[RTM]

Just saw a couple of guys forming a driveway in the city yesterday, big a$$ Hilti box at the end of the very short driveway. Didn’t think I could outrun them while carrying the box.

Still the high end on the jobs here, the little guys bring yellow and other red tools.

 

[strength_and_power]

Used a few Hilti tools, definitely nice. The scanner they have for concrete to avoid rebar was fun to use. It was a lower model, supposedly the top units are incredible but super expensive.

Our old COO worked for Hilti, evidently they are super picky about the red in their logo and such. Has to be exact. I also heard they only want Hilti tools to be used in their facilities.

 

[Retroman]

Company I work for has a couple core drills and just purchased Two of there wall saws which are around $65K or there fleet price of 2K a month which is a pretty good deal if or sorry when it breaks they give you another one.

 

[geneg]

Aside from Hammers and PATS, does Hilti have a major presence in the commercial world these days....aside from most masonry shops who is either using an air jack or a corded Hilti.

Myself, I still have the Hilti Sawzall. Smoothest reciprocating saw I've ever used.....but I don't touch it ever , and grab the M18 obviously - I paid way too much for it....I think it was like 8 Benjis for this. I still have a smaller TEC7 hammer but again, M18 has replaced it in usage.

I do see some of their stuff in the commercial world, but I don't see it being used as much as back in the day. The millworker currently building out my office space is using a Hilti Laser but everything else is pretty much Yellow tools.

I don't follow Hilti but back a decade+ ago, if a tool failed, like SnapOn. Hilti Rep would just get a replacement sent to the *site* while under warranty if I recall. Part of the price ...of the tooling, was the support behind it. I haven't followed Hilti in ages though

I can't remember when I last saw a Hilti van. Around here they had a major presence with contractors. The reps always had some try before you buy deal, rent to own, or great discounts on tools if you bought enough fasteners. The reps made very good commissions.

Their hammer drills, chipping hammers, & electric impacts were second to none & if you had a problem, the rep dropped off a replacement almost immediately.

I think the lower price & universal availability of the yellow stuff & even HF has taken over that part of the market.

 

[danski0224]

I see Hilti most in the powder actuated tool space, and their recoil track fastening guns. Plus the consumables for those tools.

It has been a long time since I have been issued Hilti corded or cordless common tools on a jobsite. Stuff like a drill, impact driver, reciprocating saw.

I used a D handle recip saw from Hilti, and it was super smooth.

I can only guess that more employers must be finding it to be less expensive to buy disposable Red, Blue or Yellow tools over Hilti.

Hilti did claim to have GPS enabled tools and batteries. Never knew if that was true or not.

 

[Rc_Guy]

Used a few Hilti tools, definitely nice. The scanner they have for concrete to avoid rebar was fun to use. It was a lower model, supposedly the top units are incredible but super expensive.

Our old COO worked for Hilti, evidently they are super picky about the red in their logo and such. Has to be exact. I also heard they only want Hilti tools to be used in their facilities.

I see Hilti most in the powder actuated tool space, and their recoil track fastening guns. Plus the consumables for those tools.

It has been a long time since I have been issued Hilti corded or cordless common tools on a jobsite. Stuff like a drill, impact driver, reciprocating saw.

I used a D handle recip saw from Hilti, and it was super smooth.

I can only guess that more employers must be finding it to be less expensive to buy disposable Red, Blue or Yellow tools over Hilti.

Hilti did claim to have GPS enabled tools and batteries. Never knew if that was true or not.

I forgot about the scanners we had, they were very good at seeing in the concrete and the powder actuated tools, we shot in anchors at some jobs but drilled and set anchors in more than we shot

 

[ArcReactorKC]

From about 2007 to 2011'ish I used exclusively Hilti power tools. I switched from Dewalt to them for the reliability and power. At that time they were the best in the business for a basic drill, impact driver, and reciprocating saw.

This was also in my opinion the time period Milwaukee was really figuring it out. By 2012 I had started converting to the M18 platform because the milwaukee versions were outpacing my Hilti tools.

I'll still say that the recip saw was amazingly powerful and smooth even compared to my newest fuel saw the 15 year old Hilti is still super nice.


For core drilling and/or hammer drills Hilti is still king in my opinion, we do almost none of that now though.

 

[WildBill]

My brother does a lot of concrete work, demolition and drilling holes for pipes. He uses a ton of Hilti stuff, it's crazy powerful compared to anything else he has tried. If you are looking for Hilti tools used he gets a lot from mercari.com, kinda like a old time ebay site. Also a good site to find older hand tools, I've gotten a couple of nice old snap-on socket sets for cheap.

 

[neophyte]

I still don’t get the love for Hilti reciprocating saws.
I own one, a WSR-1400-PE.
It was the “flagship” model when I bought it.
It’s nice and powerful, but I’ve used older USA made Milwaukee Sawzalls, and I always found the Milwaukee saws to be smoother and handier.
Milwaukee motors also seem to run cooler.

 

[mooman]

We use Hilti Roto Hammers, hollow carbide bits and their vacuum's exclusively for drilling thousands of holes in concrete annually.
We've just switched back to using their 1/2" impact wrenches since they've changed to the NURON battery platform and improved the tool design. The last generation sucked and we were braking anvils at an alarming rate.
I got sick of trying to have the Milwaukee impacts repaired in a timely manner. Their repair service *****!

 

[dnschmidt]

Hilti makes good stuff that's build to take the abuse of monkeys. That's why contractors use them along with the the service and support unique to their business model.

 

[kngelv]

We have dozens of Hilti tools where I work. Primarily rotary hammer drills and vacuums. The large vacuums are nice and the rotary hammers are awesome but the small vacuum is mediocre. Their biggest problem is they don't have the same level of service as say 10 years ago and the prices are pretty high for stuff made in China. When we were getting stuff made in the USA or Europe it was easier to justify the cost. I have not seen a Hilti rep in our place for years.

James

 

[sparky 1971]

Over the past 30 years I can remember seeing a total of two Hilti rotary hammers and one impact driver, but all three sightings were over 20 years ago. Obviously, the hammers kicked ****, the impact driver was nice but as far as driving screws, was no match for as well as huge when compared to what is available today

 

[Rusted Nut]

Hilti tools are very well designed and built well. I love Hilti epoxy systems. Hilti support is great, I’ve had them give us engineering letters/approvals and such. Down side is Hilti tools are expensive and often require Hilti parts, like filters, bits, etc… The only Hilti tools we usually have on our job sites are the spline drive roto hammers, they just don’t quit.

 

[Bert_]

Got a couple drills and 1/4" impacts. They are nice tools. Not a huge fan of the newest battery platform but it's ok.

Still have other Milwaukee and will likely stay that way but the 18v drills just don't hold up anymore.

 

[RivennHewn]

Hilti tools are very well designed and built well. I love Hilti epoxy systems. Hilti support is great, I’ve had them give us engineering letters/approvals and such. Down side is Hilti tools are expensive and often require Hilti parts, like filters, bits, etc… The only Hilti tools we usually have on our job sites are the spline drive roto hammers, they just don’t quit.

We go through a lot of their epoxy.

As far as tools. No.

They may be better than some/most, but my crew doesn’t have any problems breaking them.

I really don’t care for their phone system.

I want to talk to the guys at the local store, instead of the corporate phone tree.

 

[Wrench97]

I have a old Hilti framing nail gun.....finding nails for it is an issue.

 

[Nofries]

My work gives Hilti about $5K to $12K a month. We have Hammer drills, grinders, hepa vacs, sanding wand, and mostly guns to shoot pins into concrete and steel.
The powder actuaated .25 caliber was the best but they phased that out with .27cal and the gun is bigger so we can no longer shoot inside a 12" tall I beam.
They went to gas driven pins about 12 years ago maybe longer than that. Did great in concrete but shooting into steel ruined them. Second generation was a little better but we still used powder to shoot steel. No they have a totally electric gun to shoot steel and pins that dies well. Still have the .27 cal for odd stuff and shooting overhead.
It's all China made but EU/German co that does the QC.

Oh and we get a pallet of screws every other month.

 

[neophyte]

I still see Hilti tools occasionally being used by contractors and construction crews.
Hilti isn’t ultra common, but it’s also not completely unusual either.
The Hilti store in South Philly is almist across the street from one of the other Industrial supply tool dealers, so they probably still get exposure to contractors thru that.

 

[Doubled33]

They have a big presence in commercial construction with fire stopping systems, hanger systems for overhead items and shot pin systems for metal deck attachment.

Multiple anchor and epoxy systems that have the engineering and or they provide the engineering and are second to none.

 

[scooby074]

Used a lot of hilti in industry as maintenance and industrial electrician.. Mostly powder actuated and hammerdrill.. They are the best in the business in those sectors, bar none (IMHO). I have a TE16(?) hammerdrill of my own that I love. Just oozes Euro quality.

They have a lot of unique, specialized products that will make your life a lot easier and jobs go faster. Things like adhesives and fasteners.

Problem with Hilti IMHO is availability. Their hand battery powertools (Sawzall, drill, impact) get no love because they are basically unobtanium unless you happen to make contact with a rep, and if you arent in the business, they dont want much to do with you, as opposed to Milwaulkee, Dewalt etc, who have product literally everywhere.

I guess you guys in the states can get it at HomeDepot? I think we could at one time, but not now?

Too bad, they make a great product. Their service is top notch. Just wish you could get it easier.

 

[BlitzcrankJapan]

Used often once you're into serious Civil Construction and Mining jobs.
In my experience Hilti and Bosch hold up best in extreme conditions such as underground and tunneling.
Makita does well too but their batteries often go into fault mode from the high humidity or water damage.
Hilti is the only one that provides a proper industrial service. Similar to Snap-On; Almost no questions asked and just replace the tool if it stops working. So long as there are no obvious signs of it being externally damaged.

 

[john.k]

I found a Hilti concrete nail gun hidden in the long grass in my back yard ..........school kids had stolen it from a contractor at the local high school .........checked the price on ebay,around $3000..............anyhoo,I got it back to the owner ,he didnt seem pleased at all ,Im thinking maybe he was pulling an insurance scam.

 

[jludwig]

Got a couple drills and 1/4" impacts. They are nice tools. Not a huge fan of the newest battery platform but it's ok.

Still have other Milwaukee and will likely stay that way but the 18v drills just don't hold up anymore.

How's that 4 speed drill?

 

[Bert_]

How's that 4 speed drill?

I kind of like it. I use 3rd gear a lot.

These things outlast the Milwaukee drills by a long time.

 

[seber]

Over the years I've worn out a lot of Metabo, Milwaukee, Makita etc angle grinders. But the Hilti just keeps going. It is the smoothest and best designed angle grinder I've found. Wish I had six of them.

 

[tiredoldironworker]

My boss's cousin is a Hilti rep so we have several of their tools. He was at the shop about a year ago and I handed him a 6 month old 4 1/2 grinder that was smoked. He said grinders are expendables and don't have warranties. We have never bought another tool from him. If Milwaukee will warrant an almost 5 year old grinder with no questions asked? Then that's what we buy now.

 

[tiredoldironworker]

Also, we have about 20 Metabo grinders, some over 10 years old, and have not smoked one yet.

 

[neophyte]

My boss's cousin is a Hilti rep so we have several of their tools. He was at the shop about a year ago and I handed him a 6 month old 4 1/2 grinder that was smoked. He said grinders are expendables and don't have warranties. We have never bought another tool from him. If Milwaukee will warrant an almost 5 year old grinder with no questions asked? Then that's what we buy now.

Model # ?
Cordless or corded ?
Hilti sells different quality levels of tools.
Some of the angle grinders have different quality levels, and prices to match, with prices ranging from about $140 to $275 for the smaller grinders.
Still, telling a customer to “shove it” is sort of rude.
Allegedly, the angle grinders used to be made for Hilti by Bosch, but then Hilti and Panasonic set up a combined manufacturing facility in China, and most of the sub-$1,000 tools had their manufacture shifted there.

 

[KnurledNut]

Had a rep for some time, but not currently.
I got a PAT license through HILTI and several other manufacturers.
Gas quickie saw and jack hammer are top of the line.
Rotary hammer, hammer drill, drywall gun, laser distance measurer, angle grinder all been great. Their rotary hammer bits are among the best out there IME.
Like the OP, im behind on current HILTI representation, but still a user.

 

[American Locomotive]

Hilti says all of their tools are covered by a 20 year warranty, and a 2 year "wear and tear" coverage. https://www.hilti.com/content/hilti/W1/US/en/support/info/tool-warranty.html

 

[JohnC1957]

I have Hilti powder actuated tools. Hard to kill. I saw a fair amount on high rise projects. The main layout guy for the concrete subcontractor said Hilti layout systems that were unbeatable.

 

[egfdevos]

My 2 cents.
Corded machines are great.
Consumables are great.
Skip the latest Nuron generation of battery tools. Previous generation was better.
Not the battery tech but the overall quility of the tools themselfs.

 

[Steve_P]

I'd forgotten that Hilti makes tools. In the early 90s I worked in an automotive suspension factory and the maintenance guys used a massive 120V Hilti hammer drill for concrete anchors- and we used thousands of Hilti anchors as we were moving stuff all the time. AFAIK, we only had one hammer drill like that, and it was in a large red metal box.

I don't think I've seen a Hilti tool in use in thirty years.