Need Hammer Drill Suggestions(corded)

[BGeezus]

Just got my best satisfaction in months when I tossed a 15 year old,plug in Black&Decker hammer drill in a customer's trash can the other day.You know the tool you don't take out much,but as soon as you open the case you get that sinking feeling?It was a combination SDS and regular drill chuck that no one else on the crew could ever figure out.Biggest hole was about 3/4 for it,so it was for the smaller stuff.

So I am looking for something that will not annoy me once I get the case open.For drilling holes in concrete for mush pins,concrete screws(uggh),and maybe 5/8 anchor bolts.I have a large Bosch SDS max drill,but it seems a bit of over kill for a 1/4" hole,especially with the SDS adapter in it,it is pretty ponderous.But I guess I don't want something too physically small because even a 1/4" bit can really jerk that large drill when it grabs,you know?

[David Meiland]

Bosch 11236, which is SDS Plus. I've had one for several years, drill 1/4" up to 1" easily.

[tjbnwi]

I had the Bosch Bulldog, had problems with motor leads breaking. I got the last made in Germany Milwaukee that Home Depot had on clearance when Milwaukee change over to the China manufacture. Can't speak for the new China ones but mine is a great piece of equipment.

I also have a Bosch cordless hammer drill that lasted about a year. I'm now looking for a replacement for it. From what you describe, that is what I would use the cordlees for, if less than a few dozen holes (diameter dependent).

Tom

[dave_k]

Metabo in the regular hammer drill and Hilti TE-2 small SDS drill. I have other SDS drills but the TE-2 is just a nice drill to pick and use and the cord is a mile long, hardly ever need an extension cord.

[JAlvis]

I just bought a used Hilti TE-6 SDS in great condition. It has a tool less chuck like Festool so you can can change chucks from SDS to keyless for spade bits or any wood bit. Really nice kit and came with 8 new hilti Cement bits for $180. Check Craigslist and Ebay.

Be sure to check if your drill has a chipping function or not. Most drills that have the third chipping function cost more.

[slimpickens]

Bosch 11224VSR Bulldog. I've had mine for at least 10 years and I've worked it pretty hard. Made in Germany, not sure if the newest ones are. I've drilled probably thousands of holes with it from 3/16 to 7/8". I've had one hammer drill (I believe the Bulldog is a roto-hammer)and there's just no comparison. I'm sure a good hammerdrill has its place but damned if I know where that is.

[frenchie]

I'll second Jeff's recommendation. Recently replaced my 13-year-old Bosch hammerdrill (VSR1199) with the Makita HR2475 (almost the same as Bosch 112244 Bulldog).

Roto-hammer is WAY better than hammerdrill, in every possible way.

I can't recommend the Makita, though. There's already something wrong with the gears, no torque at all in 'just-drill' mode. I seriously doubt it'll last ten years.

[tom dickey]

I have a Millwaukee hammer drill witch I upgraded to a small Hilti witch was a great tool till it got legs of it's own, so I can't speak to it's long term life.The millwaukee is still going good though,But as said before those small holes for pins and screws I mainly just use my cordless.

[BGeezus]

Bosch 11236, which is SDS Plus. I've had one for several years, drill 1/4" up to 1" easily.

David,that is the model I was contemplating before I asked the question.I even googled reviews for it and saw some going back to year 2000.Damn,that going back a ways.

I'm kind of surprised hearing guys using cordless tools for drilling concrete,I'm surprised that the batteries would hold up that well.But in my circumstance it seems that my drilling in the rough framing stages where I don't mind dragging a wire around to drill something.

I never liked the look of the Bulldog for drilling holes for some reason.

I guess there is some difference between a hammer drill or roto hammer.I don't really see myself chipping with a SDS bit,or should I reconsider?

That Bosch that David mentioned is only about7.5 amps,I guess that is plenty strong enough?

[frenchie]

If you decide on the bulldog after all, there's one in the tools for sale thread:

http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/s...568#post671568

couple weeks ago, but thought I should mention it anyways.

[Marven]

Rotary hammer drill is much better than Hammer drill. It goes through old concrete like butter.

[Bruce B]

Another vote for the Bosch "Bulldog" 11224 VSR. This one is SDS PLUS with chipping mode. It was made in Germany and is about 8-10 years old. Sold an older version to get the chipping mode. Puts a smile on my face every time I use it. I even use it for the small Tapcons. (a bit of overkill, but just use light pressure).

[fsloyan]

Hilti te-2 (or whatever the new version may be)

After buying the hilti years ago I would never buy any other brand
for a corded hammer drill. I have used this thing for small holes and big holes (I think 1 1/4 into masonry). It is as big as my bosch was but such a greater capacity...anyways...my 2 cents.

[BGeezus]

The thing that bothers me about Hilti is this.

I bought a used chipping hammer locally in very good condition,it had hardly a mark on it,and it doesn't take too many jobs to make a chipping hammer to look old.It was model TE 706.It was a nice tool,it hit harder and was lighter in weight than my similar Bosch chipper.

It was used on a large job to chip up ceramic tile and thinset.It racked up some hours,but nothing crazy.Then it just stopped.I thought it was a switch or power cord issue,common stuff I usually fix on site or after work.But,you know,with Hilti,you can't get parts,it's got to get serviced by them.So,I get it to the Hilti center,who sends it off to Pennsylvania,and after about a week they contact me to tell me it is $600 to fix.(that is double of what I paid for the tool.)It wasn't catastrophic,repair,more like maintenance and normal wear items.Hilti tools shut off electronically when they detect needing service.The only cool thing was getting the service history on the tool since it was new,they are the only ones that can service them.

Every Hilti I have used was impressive,but you better be ready to spend some buck$ to service them and to have a backup in the meantime,since it has to be shipped away for service.

[colevalleytim]

I've still got that Bosch Bulldog, email me if you want it.

I bought an extra few years ago, reconditioned form CPO tools-I've never used it.

I don't do too many foundation bolts, but this thing is a champ. Mine also has an extra keyless chuck. In the drill mode it's really versatile. I use it to mix grout and mortar.