Mid-sized demolition/breaker hammers

[Carapace79]

Hey there fellas! So, in 2013 I’m planning on purchasing a mid-sized demolition hammer, and would like some input on what size I should be looking at.

Ok, so let’s start off with some background about me, what equipment I have and what I intend to use the hammer for. I am a carpenter specializing in residential remodeling. I already own a 1” SDS-Plus rotary hammer for drilling smaller holes and minor chipping, and a 1 9/16” SDS-Max rotary hammer for drilling larger holes and light chipping.
The tasks I would utilize a mid-sized breaker for is opening holes and trenches in basement slabs for the plumber, breaking up poured stairs and footings, and tamping backfill around egress windows.

I am resistant to the 60lb breakers just because I don’t do a lot of straight-down breaking, and let’s face it they are heavy!!
The two classes of mid-sized hammers I am looking at is the mid-20lb hammers, which take SDS-Max steel, and the 35-45lb hammers that typically take the full-sized 1 1/8” steel.

For the smaller hammers, I am considering:
Makita HM1214C 27lb SDS-Max (http://makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tool...aspx?ID=316375)
Hilti TE 1000-AVR 26lb TE-SP (Hilti-exclusive steel) (http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/page/m...&nodeId=-79285)

For the larger hammers, I am looking at:
Makita HM1317CB 42lb 1 1/8” hex (http://makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tool...aspx?ID=316435)
Hilti TE 1500-AVR 31.1 lb TE-SP (Hilti-exclusive steel) (http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/page/m...nodeId=-161078)

So, here are a few of my questions. First of all, I am a little wary of getting into Hilti’s proprietary bits. Second, for the Makita hammers, for each I multiplied their impacts per minute by the impact energy and ended up with roughly the same value. I assume this means that, over the course of one minute, they would each deliver roughly the same impact energy. If this is the case, is there really a big reason for going with one hammer over the other?
Anyways, I really appreciate any input you might have!
Best,
Tom

[m beezo]

Not sure about the smaller breakers for steps and concrete floors especially if you have very much to do. I am basing that on the smaller makita which a friend has and it will be much slower to use. On the other hand those big boys sure can wear you out and if they go on of a tangent, slide off a piece of concrete are much heavier to control. We use the smaller one on mud set tile walls and floors and they do the job since there is no way to hold a big one and hammer on the walls.
The other thing to consider is what kind and thickness of concrete are you working on. Here in St Louis we have quite a few homes that used to have dirt floors in the basements. The concrete is often only a couple of inches thick so it breaks up easily. But you get on a 7 or 8 inch step it is a different story.

[colevalleytim]

This is one of those tools I'd rent.

Just my thought

[JAlvis]

Looks like you are asking all the right questions.

My experience over the years has been that Hilti makes the best breakers and SDS drills. I have one Hilti SDS but not in the size you are considering. I rent when the occasion arises so I've used quite a few sizes and brands. Hilti always suprises me with the ease of use and performance.

My recommendations:

Consider Renting or getting a "demo" for your next project and then decide. This test will make the decision for you.

OR:

Buy the cheaper model if your not the one using the tool. Ease of use might not mean anything if a grunt is the only one who is using the tool.

Also consider the used tool market. I see breakers on Craigslist in near new condition fairly often. Contact rental companies in your area as they will be switching over to new models for the coming year....this is your best option for a deal since you know the tool has been maintained and have record of time in use.

[newman]

This is one of those tools I'd rent.

Just my thought

that's what I do, rent the hilti hammer, if I need to demo.

I only own smaller SDS hammers.

[Carapace79]

Thanks for all of the input fellas!

Having read your responses, and further evaluating my wants/needs, I'm thinking I'll go with either the 27lb Makita or perhaps the Hilti TE 1000. These would handle roughly 70% of the work I would ask of a breaker, and for those bigger jobs I'll either rent or just buy a 60lb breaker.

Thanks again for your input!
Best,
Tom

[Carapace79]

Update:

So, there aren't any shops in town that carry the Makita HR1214C so I'm hesitant to buy it. If nobody stocks it, I can't believe they'd be very good at fixing it! So I swung by my local Hilti and tried out the TE1000 and TE1500. They had a block of concrete in the back and I had the opportunity to use each tool with a narrow chisel. Both tools seemed to be very well made, and each quickly cleaved off sections of concrete. In hindsight I realize that I only used them in a straight-down application, so I intend on stopping by again soon and seeing how they feel for floor scraping or for more diagonal use.

From the little time I spent with them, the TE1000 didn't hit as hard but hit more frequently than the TE1500, and the TE 1500 is about 7.5" taller. I felt that the TE1000 might be a little easier to control, but I would need more time on the machines to be sure. As for height of the tools, I am 6'2" tall so I wonder if the TE1500 might be a better "fit" for me? Of course you can get the star point and chisels in various lengths, but many of the special points such as floor scraper, tamper, etc are only available in a single length.

Here are the basic specs:
TE 1000:0-1950 blows/minute, impact energy 16 ft-lbs. 22.5" long, 26lbs.
TE 1500:0-1620 blows/minute, impact energy 22 ft-lbs. 30" long, 31lbs.

[joseph]

good info . to bad you did not get to try a few other brands . how about bosch? Couldn't find the model number of the one used to post hear .

[chuckwoodchuck]

I'd take a close look at the Makita versions. The AVT that is in those Makita hammers is great. I have the HR4010C rotary hammer with AVT and the anti vibration works. I have a Bosch and have used Hilti's of the same type and over the day they can wear you out. HD rentals around here rent some Makita hammers maybe you could try one out there.

[GregBradley]

I really could use one bigger than my 13 pound Bosch and way smaller than the Bosch Brute. I tried the Hilti TE1000 and it felt whimpy for its size and was expensive - plus proprietary expensive bits.

My local tool dealer has all these on sale this weekend and the Makita HR1214 is $700. The HR1203C is $540. Anyone with any real experience with those, particularly the anti vibration that I hear works so well on Makita's demo hammers?

[GregBradley]

Update: I went with the Makita HM1203C 20lb breaker as it seemed a more useful size for my personal work. I appreciate the info from chuckwoodchuck that the AVT really works. I've learned to distrust reviews from people that have something to gain from the review.

It hits much harder than my smaller Bosch with less wear and tear on my body. I have to agree with Chuck, the AVT works.

[tribrach2]

I'm also in the market for a mid-sized demolition hammer. I was interested in the new Bosch DH1020VC, which was described at WoC as having more impact energy than the 11316EVS it replaces. However, the spec sheets seem to say otherwise.

I asked Bosch about this. Apparently all of their hammers introduced after 2011 were rated according to new EPTA guidelines, and can't be compared to the ratings of pre-2011 models. (They really need to fix this.)

Anyway, he gave me max energy ratings for a few models, all in the new money:

DH1020VC 17 ft-lbs.
11316EVS 12.4 ft-lbs.
11264EVS 6.5 ft-lbs. ("Turbo" hammer mode)

Thought I'd pass this on, for whatever it's worth.