Recommend lightweight corded hammer drill.

[Bob Dylan]

Got a couple hundred tapcons to place in new concrete foundation walls, so what would you recommend for a hammer drill with adjustable stop?

And what brand and type of bit is best?

[dave_k]

Got a couple hundred tapcons to place in new concrete foundation walls, so what would you recommend for a hammer drill with adjustable stop?

This is the one I favor http://www.metabo.ca/Product-catalou...55aaa15.0.html They are the standard hammer drill for all the concrete forming companies and commercial GC's I've worked for. I have a couple and they are the best hammer drill I've ever owned.

I also have 4 dewalt hammer drills that I bought reconditioned for $50/ea. that do an fine job of driving tapcons although with a little more viberation and a little slower. These drills have been used on commercial job sites and in 2 years of heavy use 2 are near dead with serious wobbles. You can probably get 6 for the price of one Metabo 1010 though.

And what brand and type of bit is best?

I use the bits that come in the tapcon box in a Condrive http://www.itw-redhead.com/tapcon_prod01.asp The bits are free and contrary to what I've heard on this forum they last, unless you get them super hot or hit rebar. The top tray of my job box is littered with bits because you drill enough you find that a good bit is good for 500 + holes.On the other hand they may burn up on the 2nd hole so it can be a crap shoot. Overall you do come out ahead. I'm usually drilling into green concrete though so your mileage may vary. But then again they're free so use them up.

[gburnet]

Gotta agree with Dave re. the Metabo. Ours has served us well for close to 15 years without a hiccup.

Bob, have you considered a small rotary hammer? We've pretty much switched to them for drilling in concrete, as they're more efficient than a hammer drill. We've had good luck with the Bosch 11258...http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-11258VSR...930162&sr=1-13

Also have a Makita HR2470F...http://www.amazon.com/Makita-HR2470F...930346&sr=1-39

Any of the small hammers will work well for drilling Tapcon holes & the bits are readily available (we typically use the Bosch bits as they're easy to find around here).

[BeachBoy]

I agree with using rotary hammers rather than hammer drills.

[rustbucket]

I agree that a rotary hammer is much faster. The bits seem to be better quality too. Especially if you get Bosch or Hilti.

[Bob Dylan]

Sorry, meant to say rotary hammer. Thanks for all the great information.

[R.H.S.]

Another vote for using a rotary hammer to drill for Tapcons. The difference in speed and effort makes it definitely worth getting one. I have the Bosch that Greg linked to but the 3/4" version. You also want to use an impact driver to run the screws in, they fly right in. I have the Condrive setup for SDS bits but don't even use it anymore since i went to driving Tapcons with the impact.
Dave

[Dutchman]

Ditto on the rotary hammer as if that hasn't been pounded into your head yet!

We have a Milwaukee and seems like it will never die. I don't have 100% success with driving tapcons with it because it's a little too beefy. If I can get away with it, I use a strike anchor versus tapcons.

[dave_k]

If it's you're going to do the drilling yourself go with a rotary hammer. That way if you will take care not to snap bits. If it's an employee doing it SDS bits cost $8.00/ea vs $0 for the chucked. I've had guys go through SDS bits at the rate of 5 an hour drilling into hard aggregate, hitting steel or catching on control joints. I have found that it makes no difference in productivity which drill you use. I've heard different but my numbers have never shown a difference.

Hammer drills are a jacknife drill. I always have a hammer drill in the truck with speedbores, masonry bits and an index of twist bits, even when I go on holiday. The SDS drills are usually where we're drilling a lot of fasteners.

[Kent Brobeck]

If it's you're going to do the drilling yourself go with a rotary hammer. That way if you will take care not to snap bits. If it's an employee doing it SDS bits cost $8.00/ea vs $0 for the chucked. I've had guys go through SDS bits at the rate of 5 an hour drilling into hard aggregate, hitting steel or catching on control joints. I have found that it makes no difference in productivity which drill you use. I've heard different but my numbers have never shown a difference.

Hammer drills are a jacknife drill. I always have a hammer drill in the truck with speedbores, masonry bits and an index of twist bits, even when I go on holiday. The SDS drills are usually where we're drilling a lot of fasteners.

I own the Metabo and I agree it's a great hammer drill. I buy Bosch bits to use with the tapcons. They last longer and drill faster and are a little longer. I like to drill the tapcon hole a little deeper if possible.

[joseph]

the milwakee i have used are amazingly slow ,really tried my patience . the hilti i have now is far better . that' tools of the trade' magizine had a review years ago . my milwakee was a model from about 10yrs back .it could last a hundred years if it doesn't do the job i just get tweeked .[sore subject for me] .

[dave_k]

I have Hilti and Bosch rotary hammers. My personal rotary hamer is a Hilti TE-2. It's slim and light so it fits nice in the drill holder on my bench. It has a 13' cord and lots of power.

[GregBradley]

If it's you're going to do the drilling yourself go with a rotary hammer. That way if you will take care not to snap bits. If it's an employee doing it SDS bits cost $8.00/ea vs $0 for the chucked. I've had guys go through SDS bits at the rate of 5 an hour drilling into hard aggregate, hitting steel or catching on control joints. I have found that it makes no difference in productivity which drill you use. I've heard different but my numbers have never shown a difference.

Hammer drills are a jacknife drill. I always have a hammer drill in the truck with speedbores, masonry bits and an index of twist bits, even when I go on holiday. The SDS drills are usually where we're drilling a lot of fasteners.

I'm paying $1.75-$3.00 for Makita German made SDS bits up to 1/2"x6" from my local dealer in quantity. Rockler is discontinuing German made SDS Dewalt bits 3/16"x6" to 1/4"x10" at $1: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...ckler%20Outlet

Can't imagine how Rockler thought they were going to sell bits in the first place.

[chuckwoodchuck]

SDS+ Rotary Hammer is the only option when doing a couple of hundred holes. Just think that each hole cost you a certain amount of money to drill. The faster you can do this the more money you make. Rotary hammers probably drill almost twice as fast as the old hammer drill.

The Makita HR2475 is a good cost and performing rotary hammer that I have used. I have tried the expensive Hiltis and I don't see the cost to performance savings to spend the excessive money Hilti wants for their tools. 10 years ago Hilti was the best, but tool companies have changed since then.

[e hilton]

I always have a hammer drill in the truck with speedbores, masonry bits and an index of twist bits, even when I go on holiday. .

You need to get a life. :)