Rotary hammer advice

I got a drill / hammer-drill (other models) in SDS+ and a SDS+ to drill chuck for my DeWalt. I'm very pleased. It is electronic and with a fast break.

It is a large unit - not a hand one. It is a two hand model.

It is in the shop or I would get the model number. I suggest it.

Milwaukee is a good name - don't know the drill.

I don't think I paid $650 for mine.

With a cord (lasting power) - now for $329 not $700

for a selection of the large ones.

Mart> Trying to drill a large diameter hole in a cement stoop using a cheap hammer

Primary question: How much are you going to use it. The first time I tried a rotohammer over a hammer drill, I bought one the next day. It was a Milwaukee, and I had tried a Hilti, but balked at the drill cost and the subsequent bit cost. Went with the SDS bits of Milwaukee. Don't know if Hilti did SDS bits at the time, but they were XXX regular borg SDS bits.

My current one is a Makita, a $25 garage sale find that will drill a 1" hole with ease, and has a jackhammer setting that works nicely.

I can't see paying big bucks if you're just going to use it occasionally. That said, I wouldn't even consider HF or cheap Chinese crap, but find a good used one. If you want to bite the bullet, and get a new one, I liked that Milwaukee, and it was smaller than most comparable rotohammers. No, the Hilti is not worth the extra. You can get a lot of bits for that extra money.

Steve

Blink blink...why would you be buying a new drill for this?

There are literally thousands and thousands of good used Hiltis on craigslist and on ebay etc etc.

And yes..Hilti is far far far superior to either of the other two.

Which is why they cost more. People are willing to pay more for them.

On the other hand...if you are needing a drill that will work fine, for a couple years under moderate use....Harbor Freight sells a big hammer drill for under $100. You can also find the same drill on ebay in a different color

I note that there are a number of 1/2" Hilti hammer drills on ebay for under $200, new..some used ones well under $150

And you need a nice spud bar as well. Thats a bar of steel about 6' long, usually 1.5" in diameter with a blunt point on the end of it.

Drill a few holes and slam! the concrete with the bar and it breaks away.

Dont bother with a crow bar..they dont weigh enough.

Gunner

I am the Sword of my Family and the Shield of my Nation. If sent, I will crush everything you have built, burn everything you love, and kill every one of you. (Hebrew quote)

Consider a larger spline drive model for large holes and busting concrete, if you can find a good deal on one. I have a Hitachi with solid bits 1/2" to 1-3/8" and core bits 2" to 3.5", with 11" and 18" extensions for the core drills so I can drill all the way through my 30" thick stone basement walls; around $300 for the hammerdrill and another

300 for the bits marked down a bunch when discontinued by Home Depot about 10 years ago. This is also a favorite of several electricians I know, as it will drill holes for up to 3" conduit and doubles as a really good ground rod pounder.

Hearing protection highly advised, impact noise has been shown to be the most damaging to hearing (compared to more steady noise sources at the same apparent loudness).

Hilti is by far the best and is indeed worth the extra cost if you plan to make a living with the drill and/or pass it down as an heirloom tool to your children and grandchildren. I have the bottom end Hilti TM-7S-VSR and routinely blow holes in brick and block with a 2" carbide core bit.

If you just need the drill for handyman level work, the Bosch or Milwaukee would serve you fine.

If this is a one off project, the Harbor Freight one will likely survive the project and perhaps the next project.

I've got a Makita SDS+ and its ok, and I've got a Milwaukee 1" spline drive that blows it away. I've punched 1.25" holes through 2' of 60 year old structural concrete with it. You want me to walk out in the shop and get the model? My Milwaukee was close to $800 when I bought it. That Makita was about $300.

There's parameters for every tool. At 1", IMHO, you hit the limits of the Makita (I own one probably like yours) and just pick up on the lower end of the capabilities of the 1" spline drive Milwaukee. Just like core-drilling. Takes a bigger unit to make a bigger hole. Adjust the tool to the goal. Hammer drilling a 1" hole is possible, just like using a star drill and hammer is possible. Question is, do you want to be done by the weekend? And how many blisters are acceptable.

Steve

If this is a one time job, I would go to a rental store. If this is a daily job, I would look for another job.

i

I bought it for putting in lags into 8" of concrete.

That project never took off - moved.

But being a director of the local range, we were building our own bathroom and shower rooms for both male and female. 4 rooms...

cement block that was filled with concrete. They (primary workers) were using a 3/8" drill motor and it was painful. I brought in my toy and put into it a nice SDS+ drill - and drilled every hole like it was wood. They must be using electronic feedback on the hammer so it hits as needed.

If you have a friend with one - give it a try. I had a 1/2" drill - metal case and pipe as a second hand hold. It didn't have a brake and could easily break your wrists or more. I had a drill press so making one was out - gave it away. Bought this one as I needed a hammer.

Every now and then you can find SDS drills 10 each same size for a good price!

Martin

Mart>> I got a drill / hammer-drill (other models) in SDS+ and a SDS+ to drill >> chuck

>

> for a selection of the large ones.

I do well on drill bits at yard sales. Got a Drill Doctor 750, and it works like a charm.

Steve

Max hole dia relates both to the drill and to the bit. With a regular percussion twist drill you have one maximum size and with a core bit you have a larger maximum size. I routinely use a (Hilti) carbide tooth 2" core bit in my (Hilti) 1/2" hammer drill with no issues.

I meant to apologize in my original rotary hammer post for being off topic , but this newgroup seems to know a lot about power tools along with welding. Been following this ng for years; it has been an excellent ng; lot of expertise and few flames.

Just a home hobbyist with a Miller Bobcat 250 in my garage, but I seem to be seem to be drilling or breaking up cement a lot in for various projects.

Based on all the posts, I really want to get a mid range Hilti. There is a new TE 30 AVR on eBay for $500 ($659 at Home Depot, with some bits included), I will make a bid, but I doubt it will get much below $500. It is a light but powerful, and the "AVR" means low vibration.

From all these posts, it seems *everybody* owns a rotary hammer; thanks for all this advice and I hope to have a Hilti soon to finish my job.

--- Bart Killam