Replies

1. 
   Marson | Apr 26, 2008 11:33pm | #1

   I'm too lazy to go and look what models I have, but I have both a Bosch Bulldog and a Hitachi similar sized SDS hammer drill. Can't say as I've noticed much difference between the two.

   A salesman once told me that you never need a drill. Now you might need a hole sometimes....

2. 
   IMERC | Apr 27, 2008 04:34am | #2

   tools aside...

   Bosch has way better support....

   more customer fiendly 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!
   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

1. 
   Shep | Apr 28, 2008 03:47am | #7

   " customer fiendly" ?

   sounds like that should be Ryobi  <G>

1. 
   IMERC | Apr 28, 2008 05:19am | #8

   so busted.....

   make that friendly...

   what do expect from some that took typing 101 from Brownbagg and never got good enough to advance to 101.5.... 

   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!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

3. 
   gb93433 | Apr 27, 2008 09:17pm | #3

   I own the Bosch 11236VS and am quite happy with it.

4. 
   MSA1 | Apr 27, 2008 10:27pm | #4

   I've got the bosch 11236 EVS. That is one aggressive tool. I bought the viper chisel when I got it, that thing will go through anything.

   Actually not long after I got the 11236, I also bought a Bosch 1 9/16" sds Max model. Comparitively speaking the smaller one blows the bigger one away.

   Maybe i'm asking too much of the larger but its nothing like the 11236. Go for it.

1. 
   REA | Apr 29, 2008 12:47am | #10

   Now I'm unsure if I should get the Bosch 11236 EVS (SDS Plus) or step up a notch to the Bosch 11240 or 11241 (SDS Max) models.  I'm looking for something capable of drilling a few small holes for anchors all the way to breaking up a 4ft x 4ft concrete pad.  Another use I had in mind was prepping the concrete floor for tile in my basement bathroom.  A sealer was put down on the concrete slab.  I was going to rent a scarifier and the rental company suggested I also rent a small jackhammer with a bushing tool bit to catch the cornors and areas the scarifier won't reach.

   Not sure which way to go.  Maybe I should get a small rotary hammer or a hammer drill for my drill needs and just pay the rental fees for the larger stuff???

1. 
   fingers | Apr 29, 2008 01:17am | #11

   I've got a Hilti SDS max or whatever their particular terminology is for the SDS max,

    and while it will certainly do the things you have in mind, you have to be a bit careful

    when you're drilling smaller holes.  I have an adapter that fits the SDS max chuck

    and then this adapter will take SDS or SDS plus shanked bits and although I haven't

   done it, I can see where it would be easy to overpower and break the smaller bits.

   I'll probably pick up a SDS plus tool one of these days for smaller holes like tapcons

   etc.

1. 
   KenHill3 | Apr 29, 2008 03:52am | #12

   For breaking up slabbage I would most definitely rent a breaker hammer, the bigger the quicker it will be over with. Always worth it to rent the big stuff for concrete demo, IMHO.

2. 
   MSA1 | Apr 30, 2008 03:15am | #13

   I think the model no on my larger one is the 241. I'm sorry to say that compared to the smaller one its not much better.

   Maybe I ask too much of the larger one but I think (personally) the 236 is the way to go.

   The two things I do like about the SDS Max model are the clay spade, and the ground rod sinking atachment. 

1. 
   REA | Apr 30, 2008 07:52am | #14

   What's your guys opinion on purchasing a used rotary hammer from ebay?  I have seen some claiming to be in "excellent" of "like new" condition.  Too much of a risk for repair costs to make a "good" deal end up costing more than purchasing a new or factory reconditioned unit?

1. 
   IMERC | Apr 30, 2008 08:15am | #15

   reconditioned usually work out to be good values... 

   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!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

2. 
   MSA1 | May 01, 2008 03:25am | #16

   I dont know if i'd buy one "used" as in out of some guys truck, but a recon I would have no problem with.

3. 
   KenHill3 | May 02, 2008 07:41am | #17

   +1 on the recons.

4. 
   Yersmay | May 02, 2008 04:36pm | #18

   Well, I'm not exactly a demo expert but maybe my recent experience can inform a bit... First, I bought a Bosch 11203 on Ebay. This is a medium sized rotary hammer that was manufactured in the 80's, I believe. Picked it up for $80. It worked, but the cord was frayed and it seemed to be seeping oil from inside the chuck. I happen to have an excellent tool repair guy, so I brought it in... he completely reconditioned it for $250. While the tool was no longer a steal, I believe in resurrecting tools, so I was okay with it. Enter a concrete pad underneath a load bearing post. I quickly surmised that a human being doesn't have a lifespan long enough to spend the time it would have taken for my rotary hammer to destroy this thing. So I went out and rented an electric Makita breaker hammer, a tool that weighs in around 50 pounds. And after a few grueling hours I became convinced that if concrete could dance, it would do so over my grave. I gave up, brought the rental back and went to bed. I called a professional concrete demolition company. They arrived with a compressor the size of a Volkswagen. They pulled out a pneumatic jackhammer -- not their biggest because they feared the shock would cave in the walls of the trench they would be standing in -- and proceeded to pound away. It took them two hours and it cost me nearly $400. Predictably, their regard for any kind of electric breaker hammer was pretty dubious, operator deficiencies notwithstanding. What I learned -- Rotary hammers can chip, but that's about all you ask of it. It's a tool that excels in drilling concrete, not destroying it. If concrete has any kind of depth, more than 4 or 5 inches and a sledge hammer has no effect, the telephone is the tool of choice.

5. 
   alrightythen | May 03, 2008 06:19am | #19

   I've been on jobs where the tools kept getting bigger. In our case we rented the Giant compressor and jacks and busted it ourselves. A lot of fun! there's something to be said about bustin up concrete when you have the right tool.

   When you don't - not much fun.   View Image                                          View Image    

6. 
   KenHill3 | May 03, 2008 08:28pm | #20

   +1. 90# jackhammer and a tow-behind compressor gets the job done. Only way to go.

3. 
   Ted W. | May 04, 2008 12:11am | #21

   I need a big drill/breaker maybe once or twice a year, so I rent on when I need it. My SDS Plus (Porter Cable) works great for basic masonry drilling for anchors and such. It's small enough that I keep it with my basic power tools and it goes with me everywhere I go, workwise. 5/8" is about the largest hole I ever need. If I needed something larger on a regular basis, then I'd step up to an SDS Max. But for the big tools, I just rent 'em when I need 'em.--------------------------------------------------------

   Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com

5. 
   KenHill3 | Apr 27, 2008 10:48pm | #5

   I also have the Bosch 11236 EVS. Very happy with it in all respects.

6. 
   jayzog | Apr 28, 2008 01:18am | #6

   I have been very pleased with my Hitachi dh38y spline drive RH , that has been in service for about 10 years.

   Only repair has been replacing brushes.

   I use it with bits up to 1 ½" and core bits up to 3½"

7. 
   renosteinke | Apr 28, 2008 05:28am | #9

   I've been quite happy with my HF $75 SDS roto-hammer. I've used it side-by-side with both the Milwaukee and the Bosch, and I can't say I noticed any difference.

   Heavy use, over a couple years, and you're likely to have something plastic on it break ... but if it works for me on a commercial basis, it ought to be plenty good for the DIY.