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Demolition hammers

nikkiwood | Posted in Tools for Home Building on February 27, 2005 07:50am

I have finally come round to thinking it makes sense to add a medium sized demolition hammer (5-8 ft.lbs) to the tool collection.

Here is an Amazon link to Bosch model that seems to be about the right size.

http://tinyurl.com/4t5pk

We do a lot of old house renovations, and could use this hammer for breaking up tile that is often laid in a bed of concrete. And there always seem to be a lot of other applications where such a hammer would be useful.

I don’t want a monster hammer, but rather one that is light enough to use on walls, etc. — in a $500 price range.

I did a search on past threads, and couldn’t find anything that was helpful.

Anybody have advice on models, brands, what I should be looking for in features?

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Gunner | Feb 27, 2005 08:02pm | #1

    We have four of those at work and they are great. Can't say enough about them.

    Free Sancho! 

  2. User avater
    IMERC | Feb 27, 2005 08:12pm | #2

    good choice...

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!!   What a Ride!

    1. nikkiwood | Feb 27, 2005 09:27pm | #3

      Imerc and Gunner --I have a Bosch SDS drill which has been a great tool, and that's why I first looked to Bosch for demo hammers. But is there any particular reason I should look to other brands too -- Makita, Hitachi, for instance?

      1. stonefever | Feb 27, 2005 09:36pm | #4

        I've owned the Hitachi 44lb demo hammer.  Loved it.  Do anything you'll need.  Uses the standard 11/4 bits which come in all types.  The spade bit is great for going thru hardpan.

         

        1. nikkiwood | Feb 28, 2005 02:25am | #7

          Is the 44lb designation how much the Hitachi weighs? The Bosch I noted is about 12 lbs (overall weight), and I am thinking it would be a whole lot easier to use this thing on walls than one of the big models. Am I thinking along the right lines here?

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Feb 28, 2005 03:35am | #8

            32 pound difference in hammers is a lot.. they must be different animals from one another...

            Bosch seems to be bullet proof in the hammer department...

            or as it has been said...

            Bosch rules........

            Hilti has together too..

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

            WOW!!!   What a Ride!

          2. nikkiwood | Mar 03, 2005 07:27am | #9

            I have been looking through th catalog copy on demo hammers in this category -- about 12-14 lbs.Most take bits with the SDS-Max shank, but some take spline bits and others take either 3/4"Hex or round (21/32") shanks.Are these different shank styles pretty much a matter of personal preference, or do some perform more effectively than others/

      2. User avater
        Gunner | Feb 28, 2005 12:04am | #5

        The Bosch is the only pure demo hammer that I have axperiance with.Free Sancho! 

      3. butch | Feb 28, 2005 02:23am | #6

        It seems about 3 issues ago that FHB did a review onthose exact same drills. Ck. the archivesor I'm sure someone here can direct you.

  3. Matt_S | Mar 03, 2005 07:45am | #10

    What makes that thing worth $500?

    I'm a Bosch freak. I've got a good collection of their tools, but fer cryin out loud! Someone educate me!

    1. User avater
      IMERC | Mar 03, 2005 08:01am | #11

      jump up a notch or two and double yer money...

      Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

      WOW!!!   What a Ride!

    2. nikkiwood | Mar 06, 2005 09:03am | #12

      Why $500?Because demo hammers take such a beating and run for long periods, I would think all the guts have to be extra heavy duty. Also, it is no doubt the economics of scale -- they sell many fewer demo hammers than drills. Anyone have a comment on my query a few posts back about different bit types?

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