Guys I’m trying to pick out my first hammer drill but cannot decide on what company’s tool to buy. Several online tool retailers have hammer drills on sale at pretty good prices but I’m wondering if one maker’s product is better than all the others. I’m sorta undecided between buying a Bosch or a Makita. I have other tools by these companies and have been totally satisfied over the years. I did take a look at Dewalt’s website to see what they had as well but my favourite online retailers have no Dewalt drills on sale this month.
What I want to know from all of you guys is what kind of hammer drills are you using now and as well in the past, and what is your honest opinion(s) of them? I don’t want a bottom the heap power wise hammer drill, I want one with a really good motor that’ll give me years of performance. I’m looking at the 3/4, 15/16-1″ hammer drills.
So I’d like to know what you think of Bosch vs. Makita vs. Dewalt hammer drills?
Thanks kindly
Pauk
Replies
I'd strongly suggest as SDS rotary hammer rather than a hammer drill. The bits don't get stuck in the chuck, and they just work better all around.
With rotary hammers, you can't go wrong with Bosch.
Hilti is the holy grail of rotary hammers, but they're expensive.
Hey Boss what does the SDS and rotary signify?
Thanks
SDS is a special type of "chuck" - It doesn't just take round bits like a regular drill chuck. They look like this:http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/bosch/hammer_bits_sds.htm?E+coastestThe SDS max is just a bigger size of driver. SDS and SDS max are NOT interchangeable..I don't know why they call them "rotary hammers" instead of "hammer drills". But there's no doubt they're different animals.
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Thanks. Can these drills be used as "regular" drills also?
A lot of them have "rotary only" and "hammer only" settings. But since you can't chuck a regular drill bit in them, I'd say "no" to using them as a general purpose drill.
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I got the chuck adapter for my SDS Plus, $35 about 3 years ago. It's strictly for rotary use, the instructions say never to hammer drill with it, much less hammer. It works, but it has a lot of play in and out, and a little from side to side, so it's not so great if you need to do accurate work. You can make a pilot hole with something smaller in that case. The in and out play can make it grab when you break thru.
-- J.S.
The orginal hammer drill.http://www.antonline.com/p_3621-0-GP_346107.htmAnd alot cheaper.Hit it with a hammer, then rotate it and repeat.BTW, you can get adaptors with Jacobs chucks for use with ordinary bits..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Some of the Dewalts might be made in Germany. Just re-badged with their sticker.
I have had a Hilti and now have a Bosch. Both SDS.
Oh, and I almost forgot. I have a small Metablo for concrete screws. Not SDS.
You're not specific as to the intended use for the tool, so I'll give my more general recommendations.
If all you're doing are 1/4 holes for plastic anchors, and the rare Tapcon into concrete, a cordless drill/hammerdrill ought to do fine. Personally, I'd go with whatever brand you already have in Li-ion; otherwise, get whatever feels best to you.
For larger holes, or frequent use, forget the hammerdrill, and move on up to a corded SDS roto-hammer. I'd recommend the Harbor Freight model that will drill, rotodrill, or just chisel. If such a tool lasts three years in my occasional use, it ought to suffice a homeowner for a lifetime.
If you don't want the $75 tool, then by all means go for the Bosch.
Paul --
Avoid the mistake I made. I bought an SDS Plus, still a fine tool, but soon had a job that required a much bigger SDS Max. So, buy bigger than you think you'll need. It'll do the little jobs, too. Mine are both Bosch, and work fine.
-- J.S.
I disagree with you. I think the ideal situation is to buy the tool for the size of the intended hole. I have a Hilti SDS max, a fine tool for larger sized holes. I even have a conversion chuck so that it will accept smaller SDS bits (for Tapcons and the like).
But . . . even though I haven't done it, it is easy to see how that tool could overpower a smaller bit and bend or break it. Right now, I'm on the lookout for a smaller SDS rotary hammer for the smaller stuff.
Bosch Bulldog SDS.
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Joe H
consider the Bosch 1-1/8" then...
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Bosch or Hilti.
For small stuff I have a hammer action on my 18v Milwaukee drill.
A little bit stronger, I use my Bosch corded hammer drill.
For the bigger stuff we have a Bosch 1 1/8" sds. We use that as a chipping hammer as well.
Anything beyond that we rent or sub out a core cutter.
Bosch Bulldog SDS Plus. At the sizes you're talking about, forget about standard hammer drills. Not worth the money. Go for the rotary hammer.
Figure about 60-90 secs for the Bulldog to put a 1" hole through 8" of concrete foundation wall, or 20-30 minutes (and wearing out two or three bits) with an ordinary buzzer.
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foolish men call Justice....
I agree with BossHog, consider an SDS Rotary Hammer. I have a DeWalt but I wish it was a Bosch or better yet a Hilti.
The Hilti bits I use outlast the others. I'll chuck up a Chinese made Harbor Freight bit if there is a chance of hitting re-bar.
Get one that allows you to switch modes; drill only, hammer and drill, hammer only. You will eventually need each one. I use the hammer only for driving groundrods. I took a damage SDS bit and welded an impact socket on to it. Really handy.
I wounldn't overlook Hitachi. Have had mine 3 years and would buy it again. I was at a tool show and the Hitachi and Bosch reps were arguing which was the better rotary hammer. They had some impromtu races- Bosch Bulldog vs the Hitachi DH24PF ........... the Hitachi was faster each time. My boss has a Bulldog, it's a good tool but I prefer my Hitachi- it's lighter and drills faster. I'd note both tools have been upgraded since then- the Hitachi is now the DH24PF3 and has more powerful 7 amp motor along with that weird Darth Vader styling. Both tools are three mode, drill (rotary only), rotary hammer, and hammer only which is great for demo work and a good reason to get a rotary hammer vs a hammer drill.
Edited 7/2/2008 6:30 pm ET by jc21