I just got a holiday sales flyer where there are some Dewalt tools on sale. I saw that Dewalt’s corded hammer drill is half price ($65) . I have several Dewalt tools already and love them. I’d like to know if Fine Homebuilding ever did a tool review on hammerdrills and if so, when was it?
Also, I’d like to know if any of you folks have had the Dewalt hammer drill and if you’ve had any trouble with it.
Thanks kindly
Paul
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Replies
Hi PaulGC,
I have the two speed Dewalt hammerdrill. It works just fine. I only use it for small holes, 1/4 to 3/8 inch. I also use it for softer material like brick or old lime mortar.
However,
If you do alot of drilling of holes larger than 3/8th inch I would recommend that you get an sds rotary hammer, much, much faster than a straight hammer drill. the bits also last longer too. Dewalt, Bosch, Hilti, Makita, and Milwaukee all make sds rotary hammers.
SDS stands for slot detente system which is a different drive and chuck system than a plain three jawed chuck. SDS and SDS plus are the same thing. The bits cost a little more but you can drill more holes with them and alot faster too. Also compared to a regular hammer drill, you don't have to lean as much on an sds drill if you do it lessens its efficiency.
Hope this helps
Webby
Edited 12/19/2006 4:51 pm ET by webby
Great answer Webby!View Image
Excellent advice. The only time I reach for a hammer drill is it is a one shot deal that I can do with my 14.4v DW. I have a 3/8 Milwaukee that I have relegated to Kreg pocket hole duty (in non hammer mode).
I have the Bosch Bulldog and another older Bosch a step or two above that are my go-to hole punchers in masonry. The chipping function is pretty darn useful also. Current job had a bunch of concrete splatter on some concrete steps, cleaned it up in a heartbeat. Used them to punch a 3'0" door in cement block wall at my house.
The difference is day and night unless you only want to drill soft brick or mortar.
Bob