I need to “drill” about three hundred 3/16 holes in old concrete for tapcons tomorrow.
I went this evening to the BoxOmatic and came home with two choices:
A 10amp DEwalt DWD520 hammerdrill (@$125)
A Bosch 4.8amp SDS-plus “concrete drill” (@$99) comes with 5 bits and a case
I know there are 50 other ways to go. I’m not in the trades, and I’ll probably only need to drill two holes in concrete for the next 5 years. So…
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Replies
I'd go with the DeWalt, or another serious hammer-drill.
Why? Because tapcons are pretty fussy, and I've only had good results using THEIR bits. You can use those in a standard chuck.
A rotohammer is too much power. You'll have to use an SDS bit, and you'll probably bend it on the first hole. Even if you don't, the hole won't be precise enough for a good tapcon 'bite.'
I've already found the tapcons to be fussyfussyfussyfussy!!!
Started with smaller tapcons, drilled all the holes, burnt out the old Bosch, stripstrip snapsnap... and moved on to 1/4 inch with re-drilled holes (got a few done before the Bosch burnout)
You gotta sink the TAPCONS w/ a hammer drill. A standard rotating only drill ALWAYS jams up.I learned the hard way.DonDon Reinhard
The Glass Masterworks
"If it scratches, I etch it!"
Hey Don,
neither choice is a standard drill. I already have had that experience too.
For a lot of holes in concrete-rotary hammer would be my choice. I have a hilti and the same 3/16th bit I bought with it a few yrs ago. The bit and drill motor are very good.
You need to clean your hole and drill it deep (deeper than the tapcon penetration). Either suck out the dust or do a bit of the in/out when you drill. If the dust stays in there, it stops the tapcon and grabs /fills the threads.
Using an impact drill will make penetration much easier. Use the hex head type.
For yrs I used a hilti hammer drill for this job-no comparison to the use of a rotary hammer to make the holes. Remember with a rotary hammer, don't lean on the bit-it don't need your weight to do the job. Push down enough to engage the hammer-it'll make quick work of it and not burn out.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Thanks Calvin.I unscrewed the tip of an air nozzle, drilled it out, duck taped an old wd40 straw, slipped it into the tip, screwed it back onto the handle and VOILA it goes to the bottom of the hole and blows it out like a charm! It took longer to type than to make in the first place.
One thing I learned is that using only Tapcon or Simpson screws instead of the big box cheapos makes all the difference.
You also can buy an adapter from SDS to 3 jaw chuck for between $25-$75.
http://www.google.com/products?q=sds+to+3+jaw+drill+chuck+adaptor&oe=utf-8&rls=com.yahoo:en-US:official&client=firefox&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=Vy24SpODOpHusQPxjeUn&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1
I have drilled probably thousands of holes for Tapcons using my old Bosch bulldog and never had a problem with it. Bonus is that you can then use the bulldog to drill any size hole using standard drill bits.
Life is Good
I like the Philips screws that Lowes has better than the tapcons..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
I have that Bosch, it rocks. I did about 50 5/8ths x 4" deep in stone...never a hiccup.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
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Have you ever run tapcons in the holes?
That job was bolting steel angle under joists due to rotted ends on a stone foundation. The bolts were Simpsons deck ledger type.
hanging downspouts I have done scores of holes for tapcons, no problems. I use Bosch bits, and an impact driver to drive them in. clean hole ( as said) is a must.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
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Thank you oh great and round one (Sphere)
I've got an impact driver and that is what I will use to drive the tapcons with either tool. Thanks for the input.
LOL.
I'm about 6'4" and 175...Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
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"I'm about 6'4" and 175..."I'm thinking Sphere must not be descriptive, maybe "Stick"?
"I'm thinking Sphere must not be descriptive, maybe "Stick"?"
Careful. To get to Sphere you have to get through me. He still has me on retainer.
Did you know this.A Bosch 4.8amp SDS-plus "concrete drill" (@$99) comes with 5 bits and a caseMe thinks that is either a typo; ie $199. Or else a clearance.I have never seen a rotary hammer that cheap. I think even Harbor Frieghts is more than that..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Well I did find the 11258VSR.It looks like the going rate for it is about $159 - $169.But CPO has it for $99.But I looked on line and Lowes does not shows it.But I see that Slick Deals posted it as a Lowes close out.http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=1540595I don't think that they every had those at my store. At least not in the last 2 months or so..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Lowes does have it, at least my local store.
clearance marked down from $159 to $99.
I was thinking, buy both! Man up!!!!
He who dies with the most tools wins!!!!>G<
that like when I wanted a new shotgun, could not decide from a remington 870 28 gauge and a remington 1100 20 gauge, so I bought both
At a boy, see guys, that's a man's way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ditto on the Bosch. I've never been really happy with anything from Dewalt. At least not in the long term.
For holes in concrete, a rotary hammer is the way to go.
300 holes with a hammer drill is just a bad idea.
If you're dong just this one job, consider renting.
Amateurs talk strategy, Generals talk logistics.
I looked, $40 a day to rent. I'd rather put that toward a tool .I just don't know the ins and outs here, higher amperage hammerdrill or lower amp sds? And.. specifically for tapcons?
i bought the millwaukee one inch compact sds rotary hammer i think it is the 5363-21 from hd i think i paid around 250 but it is great i never take it off hammer even when driving tap cons
i also have a metabo i used for years before i bought the millwaukee and never took it off hammer . its kinda like using an impact when you drive tapcons on hammer they definatly go in alot easier
Nicko,
though I love my Milwaukee tools (SuperSawsall, Magnum Holeshooter, Drywall screwgun, Right angle drill, and circsaw!!!) I couldn't spring for it on this one.
i know what you mean i looked at an sds for a few years before i broke down and bought one. now that i have it i love it.
I don't know what you are doing, but if I had to put 300 holes in concrete I would absolutely use a hilti!
Load boom, next, load boom next etc
Have a good day
Cliffy
we was in a jam, and bought a harbor freight rotary hammer, I know, HF, I dont care for them either, but this one wont die, it drills 200 holes a day for the last three months.
Hammerdrill is a bad idea.
Get a rotary hammer... doesn't need to be a big one. Make sure it is reversible, and having hammer/drill/hammer drill modes is helpful.
SDS bits work just fine for Tapcons... I have drilled many more than a few hundred.
Be careful using an impact driver to set the screws- easy to overtighten and snap off the head.
If you use the Tapcon drill bit/driver set, the driver part has a shoulder that hits before the screw head does- less breakage. They are available in regular and SDS flavors.
Ok Danski (downhill, crosscountry or Polish?),The driver attachment is sort of live a drywall dimpling bit?
Polish.
The driver kit has a drill bit under a sleeve that has a hex adapter. Saves time. No need to carry two drills or change bits.
http://www.amazon.com/Elco-Tapcon%C2%AE-Condrive-Installation-1000-1079/dp/B000WQXN6K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1253586107&sr=8-2
If he has to remove the nails, they tend to leave the concrete a mess.
That Bosch looks good, their website lists it under rotary hammers instead of hammer drills. The DW is just a hammer drill as far as I can see. I have the Bulldog and a bigger one. I feel the Bulldog or it's Makita brother the Pit Bull are perfect for tapcons if you use the correct bit. The new Milwaukee four tooth ones look great. I was at Heavy Duty Tools the other day and got some samples. If I only have a couple of holes I use either a Bosch 18v hammerdrill or a DW 14.4 hammerdrill. Have a couple of 24v DW hammerdrills but do not use them much anymore.
Havbe you considered alternatives to tapcon???
1st hit on ebay for 'remington concrete/ search.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-REMINGTON-494-POWDER-POWER-CONCRETE-DRIVER-NAILER_W0QQitemZ370257377257QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090909?IMSfp=TL090909178006r6674
the Bosch...
get the 3/16" SDS bit with hex on it
http://bosch.cpotools.com/accessories/masonry_and_concrete_drilling/sds-plus_drill_bits_and_chisels/sds-plus_drill_bits/hc2312.html
and the tapcon driver kit...
http://bosch.cpotools.com/accessories/masonry_and_concrete_drilling/sds-plus_drill_bits_and_chisels/sds-plus_drill_bits/hc2309.html
big time fast...
and some day when you need to dress or chisel...
http://bosch.cpotools.com/accessories/masonry_and_concrete_drilling/sds-plus_drill_bits_and_chisels/sds-plus_chisels/
Bosch to the rescue...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
and when ya need service...
Bosch to the rescue...
DW isn't so good in this department...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
If you aren't going to use one over the years why not rent? You can get a good one that will easily accomplish your task at a fairly cheap price.