rotary hammer recommendations

[echo4747]

looking for advice on about 1-9/16 size unit. I know Hilti is top of the line but can justify spending 2x+ the cost of the other comparables. Anyone use one on a fairly regular basis? My intended use is for mostly 3/4in. anchor bolts and the ability to pass pipe/conduit thru ~ 8 in thick concrete. Makita, Dewalt, Bosch all priced very close. Milwaukee a bit less.

 

[natto fire]

looking for advice on about 1-9/16 size unit. I know Hilti is top of the line but can justify spending 2x+ the cost of the other comparables. Anyone use one on a fairly regular basis? My intended use is for mostly 3/4in. anchor bolts and the ability to pass pipe/conduit thru ~ 8 in thick concrete. Makita, Dewalt, Bosch all priced very close. Milwaukee a bit less.

Do you need cordless? If not, I would recommend a Bosch. I have a Milwaukee cordless, and while it has amazing power for running off battery (3.3 ft-lbs of blow energy) it was also pretty expensive, and I already had the batteries. I have used Hiltis and Bulldogs, they are pretty close to each other. The main spec you want to look at for rotohammers is blow energy and what type of shank it takes. The amperage of a corded unit might give you a clue as to how much it can do as well.

I prefer the vertical motor style myself, bit have used horizontal D-handle ones as well. They offer a range of power options with both styles, so it is personal preference on that front.

What is your budget, and are you mainly going to be doing these anchors only, or are there any other future tasks?

 

[echo4747]

do not need cordless .. seems like most units are using sds max shanks. I have been looking at this at the low end of my price range :http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/182367965692?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true and this at the upper end: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Makita-1-9-...030237?hash=item4afb14e41d:g:QpgAAOSw5cNYINzI I would be willing to spend up to 550-600 if there is something substantially better than what i've linked. mostly anchors for now but will also do some chipping light demo for future projects. I have a bosch hammer drill which is ok for 1/4in. or smaller holes ( I have done up to 5/8 with it .. but if you hit aggregate forget it)

 

[stormkroe]

I've got one of these

There are so many good features to it, shock absorbing handle, two-setting electric clutch (will save your arm/shoulder/face). I think it's considered a 1-3/4", but I've used over 2" concrete bits with not even a hiccup.
You can get them factory renewed for around $500 with full warranty.

 

[Micrornd]

We tried all those brands. Hilti may have been one of the top 3 years ago, but I wouldn't rate it there now.
We ended up going with the Hitachi DH50MR for the big jobs, which is more than you need.

We also use the Hitachi DH40MR and newer DH40MRY both of which fit your requirements and price range.
All of our tools are "overused", we use them for bigger jobs than the OEM says they are designed for, but we've had no problems with any of them and all the crew agrees the $50 difference between the MR and MRY (anti-vibration protection) is well worth the money.
They also have newer models of this size that are brushless, which we will go with, IF we can ever wear these out.
We also have some of the Makitas in this size range and can also recommend their AVT models, but the guys don't care for the earlier Makita non-AVT stuff and prefer either Hitachi over it.

 

[echo4747]

I've got one of these

There are so many good features to it, shock absorbing handle, two-setting electric clutch (will save your arm/shoulder/face). I think it's considered a 1-3/4", but I've used over 2" concrete bits with not even a hiccup.
You can get them factory renewed for around $500 with full warranty.

so funny.. i just bought this from ebay new( DEWALT D25603k) A seller had 2 listed for sale at 400+ 25 for shipping or make offer. I took a chance an offered 365 the seller countered @ 375+ shipping ... so I went for it. Glad you like yours

* btw have you ever tried anything like 3-4 in thin wall core bits? if so how did it go?

 

[momeNt]

so funny.. i just bought this from ebay new( DEWALT D25603k) A seller had 2 listed for sale at 400+ 25 for shipping or make offer. I took a chance an offered 365 the seller countered @ 375+ shipping ... so I went for it. Glad you like yours

* btw have you ever tried anything like 3-4 in thin wall core bits? if so how did it go?

That's a very good price for that. I bought two and paid $475 through amazon which was the cheapest I could find for a 1-3/4 SDS max

 

[highland145]

DEWALT $25 off $100 promotion Amazon ends 12/22. I'll put it in deals too.


https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_li...d_t=201&pf_rd_p=2749799562&pf_rd_i=B00FMHPX62

 

[Aikouka]

Do you need SDS Max or can you go with SDS Plus? The latter is cheaper than the former, but you're also limiting your max bit size. I have a Makita SDS Plus hammer drill, and it works really well. I use Bosch bits with it, which can get a bit pricey over time considering you'll probably need 18" bits for going through walls. (I had to go through cinder block + brick.) They can also be a bit multi-purpose as I used mine to tear up my kitchen's tile floor. That just requires a tile chisel bit.

Although, I did make the noobish mistake of drilling on the other side of a brick the other day. Wanted to be a bit quiet since it was 8 AM, and I drilled inside out, which blew part of the brick off on the outside. It isn't major (it can be repaired), but I still feel like a dummy for not thinking about that!

 

[dandruff]

Bosch

 

[shortylickens]

I can only recommend Bosch cuz I only use Bosch. And I can only recommend one rotary hammer cuz its all I've used so far.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JNA17G4

No experience with the six hundred dollar pro tools. Sorry.

 

[natto fire]

I can only recommend Bosch cuz I only use Bosch. And I can only recommend one rotary hammer cuz its all I've used so far.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JNA17G4

No experience with the six hundred dollar pro tools. Sorry.

Just so you know, that is not a rotary hammer drill. While Bosch does make decent hammer drills, that slip strike one you linked is a fucking joke compared to a true rotary hammer drill.

 

[shortylickens]

well, OK then.
Fine.

 

[natto fire]

well, OK then.
Fine.

I am sorry my post came off so flippant. The slip strike hammer drills do have their place. I use mine when climbing an extension ladder because of the belt clip and light weight.

For anything more than little tapcon and redhead holes, a true rotary hammer drill makes it much easier and safer.

Decent article on the difference:
https://www.google.com/amp/www.fami...te-tools-rotary-hammers-and-hammer-drills/amp

And in my limited experience (6 years) of drilling in to masonry, Bosch makes the best bits, hands down, no contest.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I have a Bosch Bulldog that uses SDS bits, works great! So much better than a standard "hammer drill". Goes through brick and concrete like butter. The SDS bits lock in, so they don't slip, that on it's own is a huge improvement over regular drills.

Actually it's funny, when I bought it I was about to rent it, I needed to break up some concrete but did not want to rent a huge jackhammer as it would be awkward to use in the area I was in, then asked how much it would be to buy and was like $300ish so bought it instead. It turned out to not be that great for breaking up a slab - you really need a jackhammer for that, but it works great for drilling holes in brick, cinder block, concrete etc.