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I’m in the market for a rotary hammer drill and would like some feedback on the various types out there. I’m considering Bosch and Milwaukee because of past experience. But I’m open to other brands!
I’m an electrician and usually have a need to bore holes up to 1 1/2 inch in diameter through brick/concrete.
Thanks in advance.
Replies
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I would suggest going with a Milwaukee.
I bought one a couple of months ago and love the quick chuck change and the power.
I feel like grunting like Tim-The-Toolman when I use it......
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TP,
I've used a lot of them and I've never found any better then the Hilti. Plus they have great service and come right to your job site when you need them.
Richard
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Greg:
Hmmmmm. Ya know, they never mention the "grunt factor" when evaluating tools. You may be onto something there!
Seriously though - which Milwaukee is getting your grunts?
Thanks!
*Richard:I've heard the words "high quality" and "mondo dinero (pricey)" used in conjunction w/Hilti. I'm curious about more details...
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TP,
I own a Hitachi. It's never let me down. The price was right, and it works well. We use it more as a demo hammer than anything else.
Milwaukee, you just can't beat anything they make.
Ed. Williams
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I got a Bosch 11236VS a few months ago. It drills
up to 1 inch, may not big enough for you. Other than that, I would say it is the 'easiest' tool I
have ever used.
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TP,
Both statements are correct. Check it out for yourself... http://www.hilti.com/us
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Hilti and Bosch also make a hammer drill that can be easly converted into a chipping hammer, which is VERY convenient if you do a lot of concrete or heavy commercial work, but I dont think that those type of drills can't be used as a regular rotary drill for boreing through wood.
I'm sure you know how MUCH drill you need, but for brand name drills, and all things being equal, Bosch would be my first choice. One thing to keep in mind is weather or not the carrying case will hold ALL your boreing bits, masonary bits, drill bits, ect... Bosch is famous for those cheap plastic casses that you could BEARLY fit the drill and cord into, much less everything you'll need to carry around with it. The type of carrying case may sound trival, but when you start loosing bits, becouse you can't keep them all in one place, with the drill, it becomes frustrating.
My personal drill is the Porter Cable. Plenty of power to drill through anything, mix 5gal. of mud, ect.. Nice big metal carrying case.
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TPBosworth,
Joseph Fusco
View Image
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I live in California and Bosch is the only name
in my local Home Depot store for rotary hammer
drills. All other tools have at least 2 or 3 brand
names available. Do you see the same thing in your
area? Does this mean anything? I don't know. But
I do own a Bosch rorary hammer (bought from HD) and I am very happy with the tool and with HD.
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TP. Bosworth,
I have to agree with Port Carpentry; the Hilti is hard to beat. I own a Hilti TE5, which is a lighter use version; runs on 110 volt, weighs approx 6 lbs., and accepts bits up to 1 inch dia.
There is a dual function switch, from hammer mode to regular drilling mode. Mine came with 2 different sets of drill chucks.....one being a jacobs style with a key, and the other being a special splined type chuck which you use with the Hilti bits. It takes all of 2 seconds to change over the chucks....you simply pull up on a built in retainer ring and the whole assembly pops off. Pull up on the ring and reinstall whatever chuck you want. No problem drilling holes, either. Hilti makes bigger, heavier duty ones which would better fit your needs. My tool case was plastic and not too good. The bigger ones also have plastic cases, but they are put together pretty solid. I work as an industrial carpenter in a steel mill and we use the bigger ones all the time. They have never let us down. My TE5 cost me under $300 but I'm sure the bigger models are closer to $1,000. Only way to find out is to look up a distributor in your area. Sometimes, they can make you a good deal, other times, just average.
Davo304
*TP - 1+1/2" holes in concrete on a regular basis would require a pretty stout tool. If I were going to invest that kind of dough, I think it might pay to rent a few different models to try them out. - jb
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For serious heavy duty drilling, I don't think you can beat the spline drive Milwaukee rotary hammers. They are super tough and offer what I think is the largest available selection of optional accessories to go with the drill. A really nice all purpose hammer drill is the new Milwaukee 1 1/8" SDS-Plus , (but it won't handle 1 1/2" bits) If I didn't need to drill holes any bigger than 1" or so, that is the one drill I would buy!
*Good advice, Jim. I may take that option. Based on the comments so far, I can conclude the following:Hilti offers excellence... at a price.Bosch offers wicked good... with a number of optionsMilwaukee offers wicked good... with some optionsWacker has Joe sold and, honestly, for $1300, I'd really support my choice ;) -- and would need to have a very serious need on a continuous basis.Thanks to all for the insights. I'll let you know in a few weeks.
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This is the big time, all right. Even getting by with $800 or so for a quality hammer, like a Milwaukee, the core bits will get your pocketbook's attention.
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For $1300.00 it better work in the afterlife.
David
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TPBosworth
I've got an OLD Hitachi in the truck. Noisy and rough, but has done everything I've ever asked of it.
I rent Bosch from time to time. Faster, quieter, smoother. but little lighter duty
I spent a half hour in the hotel parking lot discussing tools with a Hilti Rep that was staying there also. Fired up the generator and tried one. Sweet tool, BUT, I've bought trucks for less.
Scott
*Scott, he had to sleep sometime... perhaps you could have arranged for an extended demo?TP, back when... we used Hilti for our hammer drills on the electric crew. I've used Bosch, Milwaukee, and Kango as well. The more expensive, the longer lasting. For the buck, the Hitachi looks good.The bigger Bosch are great... but the Hilti is found in many a job-box.
*David,
Joseph FuscoView Image
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I'm in the market for a rotary hammer drill and would like some feedback on the various types out there. I'm considering Bosch and Milwaukee because of past experience. But I'm open to other brands!
I'm an electrician and usually have a need to bore holes up to 1 1/2 inch in diameter through brick/concrete.
Thanks in advance.