I’ve just bought a Bosch 1″ rotary hammer (#11255VSR) and am looking around online for some prices on bits to go with it. I’ve heard and/or read somewhere online that Bosch bits are the best to buy. I now have three Bosch tools including their jigsaw and router, and I love ’em. Bosch does make some great tools so I figured I’d buy their bits.
Early this morning I emailed an online tool company that I bought a tool from earlier the year and asked them if they sold Bosch bits for a rotary hammer. They emailed me back late today saying that they sell them but don’t stock them. WHAT? The person who sent the email said their “concrete expert” said that Dewalt and Metabo are better than Bosch for rotary hammer bits and are better priced.
What I’d like to ask you guys is what brand(s) of bit(s) have you used over the years and which type(s) do you find to be the best quality?
Thanks kindly
Paul
Replies
I have used all brands of sds rotary hammer bits even some H.F. cheapies with good success.
Bosch are sold at Lowes, up to about a 12 inch length. So for convenience sake if you have a Lowe's near you you could get some.
But back to your question, like I said I have used all kinds. I haven't noticed a real difference in between the different brands. Due to the way the rotary hammer works you generally get more holes per bit than with a regular hammerdrill. So For me at least it is a toss up.
Most of my selection is either dewalt or bosch.
Webby
I assume we are talking SDS bits? I generally get mine from Amazon. They have a set of Bosch that is handy.
But even better, the Hilti I picked up on e-bay came with about a dozen.
For the semi-casual use I do the HF ones or ebay sets seem to do fine. I have bought Rawl, Irwin, and Bosch on the Bay for next to nothing, usually in bulk, 12 or so in a box. I use a lot of the Tapcon and other masonry screw sizes (5/32 and 3/16).
One secret is to let the drill do the work and do not push hard, heat (hitting exceptionally hard rock or rebar, etc) will cause the weld/braze/whatever let the carbide tips leave the bit.
Good tip about the drill doing the work. Guys tend to lean real hard on regular hammerdrills, and that isn't that big of a deal, but If you lean on the rotary hammers, all it does is make them work harder because it limits the amount of travel for the bit.
As you use it you will see the difference. In bearing down real hard vs. applying gentle pressure.Webby
MY choice.
http://www.relton.com/html/rotrybit2003.html
Great service from them in the past and good bits.
I usually only use Bosch bits, but that is more out of convenience than for any other reason. Home Depot also sells Bosch, and for a decent price...not as good of a price as I've seen them on Amazon, but again convenience is the key for me.
I resharpen mine before use and that seems to make a huge difference in how many holes I get per bit per job. A sharp bit makes much less heat and punches holes in concrete like an auger in pine.
I can't even begin to exclaim how much better a rotary hammer is than a hammerdrill.
GK
I have bought HF SDS bits and they seem ton work fine, nothing to cry over if they wear out or break.Bosch been very good to me.Relton is a great premium bit, have a few of those.Hilti is up there, too.And, yeah, +1 on a rotary hammer. The only way to fly.
Edited 11/18/2008 11:24 pm by kenhill3
Here's another vote for "don't make much difference". I get my bits pretty much as I need 'em, unless I find a good deal on bits I'm sure to need eventually. I avoid the no-name, made in china bits, but otherwise any name brand seems to get the job done. Anything made in germany or in america is sure to be of better quality. Bosch, dewalt, hilti, etc... all get the job done, which is how I rather spend the time than shopping around for something slightly better.
As for the store that doesn't carry bosch bits, like almost anyplace, they want to sell what they have. If they have to order it, I can pretty much guarantee you'll pay extra for that service. Just avoid cheap bits and you'll be good to go.
See my work at TedsCarpentry.com
Buy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net
avoid made in any place Asia....
Bosch and Hilti are good....
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