Hi All,
I read a bunch of posts regarding hammer drills and decided on a Hilti. I got a “hammer drill” that takes round shank plain ol’ drill bits as opposed to a “rotary hammer” that takes SDS or other spline type bits (my definitions).
At any rate I got a TM7SIII VSR at HD no less and am pleased with it. I got it as I feel for most of the work I do a Jacobs type chuck is ample. But I’m having second thoughts especially since I was told I can get a TE-2 that has the SDS chuck as well as a Jacobs. But I find no mention of this on the Hilti site or elsewhere. Is this so?
Any other advice before I put the tool to use and can no longer return it? I’m a carpenter and usually don’t drill more than 1/2″ holes in concrete for the most part and usually the typical 1/4″ for inserts and light duty.
But who knows what tomorrow may bring.
Thanks,
Warren
Replies
How much did you pay for it? How often will you use your hammer drill?
One of the HD's near me has a Hilti pro center and I have looked at their stuff. The quality, for what I have been told, is impeccable. The price matches. I think you would be better off getting a Bosch Bulldog roto hammer instead of the Hilti. I would rather have the benefits of a roto hammer over the benefits of a Hilte, but that's just me.
Jon Blakemore
Hi,
The Hilti was $239. They have a Hilti TE-2 which is like the Bulldog for the same price as the Bulldog... .if memory serves.
But the bits ranged from $15 to $40. I also like having another drill just for wood say running a door boring jig so the Jacobs chuck is pretty much a must for my uses. That's why I asked if they make one that has interchangable chucks so I can get the best of both worlds.
BTW I had to drill about twenty 1/4"x 1 1/2" holes in 50-75 year old concrete. I was usining my Milwaulee 1/2 Magnum and it didn't dent it with a new bit. 5 minutes of bearing down and maybe 1/16" ! The Hilti did each hole in about 10 seconds! 50,000 bpm (no load) has an impact!
Warren
I have the Bosch Bulldog and it does very well as a rotary hammer drill. In the hammer-only mode (for chipping) it seems a little weak, but it doid a nice job of chippling ceramic tile and thinset off a concrete slab. My plumber had a Hilti and we tried both when chippng a slab for a water line, and it was no comparison ... the Hilti was far superior.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
I would have thought the Hilti cost more.
If it performs as well or better than a Bosch roto, then go for it. More than likely you will never wear it out, and if you do they will take care of you.
Someone on this site once said "hammerdrills are for playing tricks on apprentices... roto hammers are for drilling concrete." In my experience this is accurate, but I've never used a Hilti.
Jon Blakemore
"hammerdrills are for playing tricks on apprentices... roto hammers are for drilling concrete."
How do they and the SDS TE-C bits work in wood? I did more research and it appears Hilti touts the say TE-2's ability to drill wood but doesn't offer a wood bit per se.
I'm really sold on the versatility of the TM 7SIII, which by the way I had to return as the speed selector was VERY tight. Don't ever buy demo tools!!! I get stung evertime.
I'll get a new one Monday though as it really worked for my applications. BTW further research revealed that Hilti offers a TE 2-M which does have a quick release chuck that switches from SDS to Jacobs. This is the tool commonly compared to the Bulldog and is at a similar price point.
thanks,
Warren
yours is the first hilti i have ever heard of having to go back. wish you better luck with the replacement. mine is the te 5. it comes with the sds chuck and a jacobs style chuck is available. the te 5 drills 3/4 in concrete and 2 5/8 in wood.
good luck. paul.
I would go for the bulldog as it is a more versatile tool the te2 is designed for small holes under 1/2 inch and it does not have the duty cycle for repeated drilling have larger inserts. If you need to drill a large amount of holes move up to a te 10. Most companies I have worked for use the te 2 for only 3/16 to pin 2x4 down to concrete. If drilling larger holes Always grab a bigger drill. So when comparing prices you find that the hilti ends up being more the comparable model to the bulldog is the te 6 . I hope this helps. If you want bomb proof go hilti value is in a bosch. You van always buy an adapter to a regular drill bits. That is what i do when I have to drill an odd size hole that I do not want to buy sds bits.
The TE-2 is good for up to 3/4" holes. Haven't tried it, but I don't doubt it either. Hilti don't lie.
Drilled 60 1/2" holes with mine in about 40 - 45 minutes for a big azz deck ledger. Butter baby. Not a single complaint out of the TE-2, this was in a 60 year old foundation.
Got the TE-6-C, has the dust collector. When the salesman came out and demo'd the drill motor I was sold. I've dealt w/this guy for many years. Still, I was wary of the ability of the added feature. Very surprised and satisfied on how well it worked. If you do any drilling overhead or where dust is an issue, I'd certainly check it out.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
I mainly build concrete structure. And on one job we had to but in 10 000 1/2 anchors and hilti recommended going up in size of drill from te 5 to te 10 because of the continuous use and number of holes. This was done when the super complained that the 3 new te5 bought for the job burned out quick. Hilti answer was duty cycle. Do not get me wrong I love hilti but you need to get the right drill for the job. That is why every Forman carries about 3 sizes of drills in the job box.