I need some sort of hammer drill fro general use. But after looking around, I see there are both “hammer drills” and “rotary hammers”. So what’s the difference?
These are a couple I looked at:
While we’re at it – Any suggestions on models? I like Milwaukee, so that’s the brand I’m most likely buy.
I don’t need a big one – Just need to occasionally out in a tapcon, or maybe some anchors up to 1/2″ diameter.
In this world, there are two kinds of people: Those who Get It and those who Don’t. If the meaning of this is not immediately obvious to you, count yourself as one of the latter.
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I have a Milwaukee similar to the first one you pictured (the hammer drill) except that mine has a metal motor housing. It's been OK, but I wouldn't necessarily classify it as a workhorse. My hammer drill needs are like yours - intermittent. Personally, though, I'd much rather have an SDS. Bits sometimes slip in the regular drill type chuck that my drill has. SDS is pricey though, plus the bits are high, and I'm not sure they come in small sizes like what you might use for Tapcons.
SDS is pricey though, plus the bits are high, and I'm not sure they come in small sizes like what you might use for Tapcons.
Hi Matt, when I sided my concrete house I used to go to the nail store and buy all the 3/16" bits they had, every one. Never lasted to speak of. When my Bosch hammerdrill finally gave it up I went to SDS, primarily to find better bits.
Found a small Hilti on ebay. Also a pack of 3/16" SDS bits (Bosch) which'll probably last me a lifetime. It's a fantastic combination for Tapcons. And a whole lot cheaper. Not to mention my drilling time was cut by 75%. Try it, and you won't go back.
All those bits I used to buy would have bought me a (used) Hilti.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Sure they come in Tapcon size, I scored a pretty good deal for bulk Rawls bits on ebay and would be happy to refer if anyone is interested. I would buy another Bosch Bulldog and never look back. I also have the next bigger Bosch and have used them about as mcuh for chipping as drilling. I have three hammer drills and they do not get much use unless it is for a very small job ( or cordless requirement).
But if you do not mind spending a good sum and will get enough use out of it Hilti is the pick of the litter.
Edited 8/17/2004 11:14 pm ET by RASCONC
I could be wrong but hammer drills to me are for the lighterweight work only. If you have to drill big holes, then a rotary hammer is the tool to use.
Hammerdrills have a drill only and hammer drill mode.
Rotary hammers have a drill only, hammer drill, and hammer only modes.
Hammerdrills work faster if you apply pressure (to a certain point). Rotary hammers work faster if you let the weight of the tool do its job.
The April/May 2004 issue has an article and review of rotary hammers.
Boss.... I have that Milwaukee hamer drill... or should I say had...
It never struck me as a serious HD.. It would get so hot from use you couldn't touch it and it was set up to do Tapcons only... I suspect heat killed the drill...
It's Bosch counter part was was no prize either....
Bosch Bulldog is the way to go and you'll never look back.. unless you want a Hilti...
More versatility with the Bulldog...
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!
I happened into a Hilti Rotory hammer and a whole box full of bits for under $200 from a contractor going out of business. It's hard to recommend anything else now that I've been punching holes in concrete and rock with it for a while. Hilti is the cat's meow in rotory hammers but the price puts them out of the reach for a lot of us.
If you can find a used Hilti at a good price, like I did, I sure wouldn't pass it up in order to get a shiny new model of a lesser tool.
Kevin Halliburton
"The Greek comic poets, also, divided their plays into parts by introducing a choral song, ... they relived the actor's speeches by such intermissions." Vitruvious, (Book V)
Get this. I got a hilti rotary hammer/chipper with a box full of bits and points, a milwaukee portable band saw and a milwaukee right angle electricians kit all for $175. Another contractor going out of business
It ain't a Milwaukee, but....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63919&item=3833239378&rd=1
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I've got one of each -- a Hitachi "hammer drill", and a Bosch 7/8" SDS (very similar to what you are considering.)
I still use the hammer drill, though not nearly as often. Before I bought the SDS, the hammer drill was used for all masonry/concrete drilling. (And if the concrete is 40 years old, that vibrator-drill can take a very long time to bore through it.)
Now the hammer drill is used to hang shutters and downspouts on brick veneer -- the tapcon type stuff. The SDS does all the bigger jobs.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.
And from a guy who loves Hilti as much as IMERC loves Bosch - their rotary hammers are top notch. It's almost dumbfounding to be a guy who thinks he knows tools and has used a multitude of drills, to go grab one of these and see how fast the thing does it's job. I have a tiny little TE5 which does great on small holes and still pretty good even up to 3/4, and the other end of the spectrum, a TE76 that I've never tried on anything smaller than 1/2. But it'll punch inch holes as fast as you can move the drill to the next spot. Inch hole, five inch deep, probably 7-8 seconds. If you can find a used, decent condition TE5 or TE6, I think for your "general use" you'd be tickled. But I wont disagree - the cost can get in the way sometimes. If you use it all the time, that becomes irrelevant, since it saves you money in the long haul.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
I have a Hilti hammer drill. Used when I got it 14 years ago. Great piece. Works all day if needed. DanT
I hate to break the news to you..... BUT!!!!
I'd take a Hilti over a Bosch.....
Then there's the $$$$$ to consider....
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!
Boss; My Milwaukie SDS (can't remember the model) is 10 years old and gets a pretty good workout periodically. My bits range from 1/8" to 7/8"....just today I was drilling 7/8" X 10" holes to epoxy in some anchor bolts.
I've used a Hilti a lot in the past and they're great, but a little spendy.
I would suggest you go to the SDS....they may cost a little more in the short run, but they'll pay off long term.