Need opinion(s) on buying rotary hammer.
This morning I got an email from a tool company I have dealt with before, showing their March online flyer. A few deals were there but nothing really to get thee ole wallet to open up. I did think there were some decent prices on rotary hammers. Here are the hammers, prices & makers:
1. Dewalt #DEW D25111K – 1″ SDS Rotary Hammer @$189.95.
2. Dewalt #DEW D25213K – 1″ SDS Rotary Hammer @$239.95.
3. Makita #MAK HR2470F – 15/16″ SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer @$169.95.
4.Bosch #11255VSR – 1″ SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer @$269.95.
What tool would you buy? Have any of you used any of these? What opinion(s) do you have from using them? Hard for me to choose as the Bosch for example has more BPMs than all the others even though it is more expensive. The two Dewalts have 8 amp motors, more than the others.
What does the “-Plus” mean in two of the titles?
Anyays, I’ve got a really good topic started now. I’ll check back in the morning to see what you all think. I really can’t go wrong with any of these as they are all good tool names. Or am I mistaken on ’em all being good hammers?
Take care
Paul
Replies
I am not positive but I am thinking that the -plus means you can use it as a jackhammer so to speak as well as a rotary hammer. I other words you can get a chisel bit besides the regular drill bits. I personaly have had good luck with the Bosch bulldogs.
I second the Bosch.
John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
bosch ,,,
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Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
SDS Plus refers to the shape of the collet or the bits that it will accept. SDS has been out for decades, the "plus" variety anymore is the most popular, at least more tools made to accept it than other varieties. Ergo, more bits probably available. SDS in general is simply a mechanism whereby you insert the bit, twist, and it locks. Bosch developed it, but everyone uses it now. Hilti even does. Some of their small drills use an SDS shank, even though they don't call it that, and the larger animals, like my TE-76, they call it a TE-Y but its interchangeable with SDS Plus.
It has nothing to do with whether or not its a dedicated hammer drill or a combi - hammer.
The Bosch is the winner quality wise of the choices you gave, my opinion.
Real trucks dont have sparkplugs
I thought sds was the way competitors were able to bypass Hilti's patent on the twin groove, by adding those extra two slots.
I had a Bosch "A" taper that was a PITA to change bits.
Hilti use to almost give there hammers away if you bought 75 of their bits.
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.†—Albert Einstein
Just to add, there is also an "SDS-Max", which is not the same size as SDS and SDS-Plus. I forget, but it is something like 14mm vs 20 mm.Which matters if you already have a bunch of bits of one size or the other.
I like my 1 1/8" Bosch, but I have to say that i've heard DW has some pretty decent offerings in this tool market.
I have a Bosch and it has been great:
http://www.toolup.com/Bosch-Power-Tools/Rotary-Hammers/SDS-Plus/bosch/bosch/11236VS.html
I couldn't find the D25111k at Dewalts web site, but the D25213K looks like the ones we use on site.
I don't want a rotohammer that does not have a straight hit function, not that I'm going to chip with a rotohammer, but I do drive in all my overhead anchors with that function. It saves on the shoulders.
We predominantly use Dewalts & Hiltis, & when I say "use" my guys will drill about 15 to 75 3/8" holes per day--- current job is PT so we drill 1/2" holes 1" deep & use a button anchor.
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.†—Albert Einstein
Bill, it had the caption "NEW" next to it's picture, so i don't know if this means new to this company's tool assortment or new to Dewalt.
Paul
I love the Bosch. I have 3 assorted sizes.
"It is what it is."
At $270 for the Bosch, you might be able to find a used Hilti and be even better off. If you drill a bunch of holes (like 30 a day or something) you will appreciate how much softer the Hilti is on your arms.
If you use 18v Milwaukee and want a brand new hammer drill, I'll sell mine for $50 plus actual shipping (no battery).
I've been using the Harbor Freight version of those tools for a decade now; I seem to get something like three years of regular use out of them. For $75, including basic bits, you can't go wrong.
Pay attention to the specific models; you want to be able to 'normal' drill, roto-hammer, and chisel. Some tools only give you two of the three.