As Bosch is having their “Buy $300 worth of Bosch stuff and get a $100 Circ saw free” promotion, and as I have started needing a hammer drill more frequently, and since Bosch makes good hammer drills, I thought i might bounce the concept of you guys.
Am I right in saying thta the Bosch hammer drills have a good reputation?
And which one is a good choice? I will use it for concrete drilling, usually under an inch dia.
Or am I horribly wrong??
Thanks!
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Replies
Bosch SDS Bulldog...
Appropriately named...
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
Took a previous post advise on this subject and bought a bulldog this summer for 28 holes needed into pad for rock bolts.
The bosch started smoking after about 10 holes, had to give it a rest, went thru 4 bits (bought from grainger, not junk bits).
(of course, this was at 10,000 ft altitude, maybe that was the culprit?)
Big compressor (150 psi to get 100) and air tools will be the way to go next time.
I'm at 10k elevation. Work + 2k. Have to drill bedrock all the time. Doin' just fine. Bits last a lot longer too.
Suspect operator difficulty...
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
Must be poor bits or poor operator, the correct drill for that application would be a gas powered rock drill, alot of slabjacking companies use those, they work well but are a bit pricey. What size holes were you drilling? I've drilled hundreds of 1-1/2 holes through 50 year old concrete with my TE74 and have only worn out 1 bit.
Some thing else that came to mind. Were the bits you bought percussion rated? Did you hit rebar? If you did, did you change drilling technique?
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
I second IMERC's response
i've got one of these:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/default.asp?part=108025
it does just about everthing.
drills can use it as a small beaker, core drills up to 4" approx.
i've had mine over 5 years and its never missed a beat.
aleks
"Thirding" IMERC's suggestion, go for a recon Bosch SDS Bulldog.
Eric S.
The recon Bosch is a good deal (under $200 at Tool Crib/Amazon) but the better deal may be a brand new one, Amazon/Tool has a promo, $219.99 including a five piece bit set and a chisel, free shipping.
Number 2:
Bosch 11239VSK 1" SDS-plus Rotary Hammer includes 5 Piece Carbide Bit Set a $45 ValueBosch
View Image
List Price:
$528.42Price:
$289.99
You Save:
$238.43 (45%)
7.2 amps 4000 BPM
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Edited 10/28/2003 1:16:44 AM ET by LATEAPEX911
Bought a Boschhammer SDS plus recently and it is great. Only drawback is there is no reverse. Use it not only to bore through concrete, but in the hammer only mode, I level concrete with a chisel.
I agree with others reccomending the Bosch Bulldog (11224VSR). This, of course, is a rotory hammer, not a hammer drill. As folks here taught me some time back, a rotory hammer is much better for the concreat drilling I was needing to do.
You could buy one at Amazon for $219 or ebay has lots to choose from.
what model do you have with no reverse? i wasn't aware they even made any without it. i would think being able to back out a stuck bit would be an absolute necessity. i have used a couple where the reversing switch is not in the least bit obvious, ergonomically located or intuitively marked- in other words, if i didn't know there was in fact a reverse function, i wouldn't have gone looking for it and/or would not have recognized it as such. just curious.
m
neither my hilti TE74 or TE14 have reverse. Both have provided years of service, and although pricey, excellent drills.
Great, I'm glad you guys agree! I know the Hiltis are top notch as ewll, but no big freebies with them!
So, a question. They identify these things by a dimension, like 3/4", or 1 1/8". What does that refer to?
I am considering this:
Bosch 11236VS 1-1/8" SDS Rotary HammerBosch
I guess what I'm trying to figure out is, at what point does it become ridiculous ...just too much? I'm not a commercial electrician boring 8" coduits into skyscraper foundations! And, conversly, if I do need to bore a good size hole in a foundation, lets say to set some rebar into, what would be appropriate?
Thanks for all the responses so far!Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
hmmm, i guess ya learn somethin' new every day. what do you do if the bit seizes up against some rebar- or whatever- down in a hole? just pour the coals to it and hope it works loose in forward gear? in drilling holes for fence posts with a power auger, sometimes the bit will screw itself into the ground when it passes a tree root- does that ever happen with rebar in concrete?
m
what do you do if the bit seizes up against some rebar- or whatever- down in a hole?
My Hilti's a lot smaller than Sled's. It's drilled thousands of holes in our reinforced concrete houses and never gotten stuck. When I switched from a Bosch I wondered the same thing. Never been a problem. PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I drill hundreds of 1-1/2" holes through concrete of varying thicknesses when I'm doing slabjacking work. A few times I've hit rebar, and gotten the bit stuck, but I've always been able to get it out. Maybe once or twice I've had to jackhammer around the bit to get it out, but those times having reverse would have either broken the bit or the drill. The tree root deal is a good illustration, that is exactly what happens when you go beside a rebar near the bottom of the slab :)
Either way, my Hilti drills kick butt and I wouldnt trade them for anything :) BTW the TE14 is small, I only have up to 1/2" bits for it, and I use the 74 for anything over 1/2"
That's a rotary hammer you have pictured. It's a world different from a hammer drill such as 1194 AVSR.
The dimension is it's capacity.
For drilling you just might be happy with a 7/8 SDS-plus 11224VSR. It's still rated a RH but it is a worker.
If you want to add a chipping function to the fracus then you get what you pictured. (3 mode operation)
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
"... at what point does it become ridiculous ...just too much? "
You'll need to ask your wife. No one here can help you with this one.
i've got the drill pictured and after 5/6 years of use its never let me down.
aleks
That one (11236VS) is what I have. Be sure to get the chuck adapter for it so you can use it with ordinary straight shank drills. Excellent machine.
-- J.S.
I have both the bulldog and the 11236 and i liked the bulldog better it seemed to drill faster and chisel a liitle better plus it wasn't as heavy, but the bulldog did break the holding mechanism several months ago and I haven't got it fixed yet. This has been by far my most abused tool and it just keeps on going I have gotten it so hot that you couldn't hold on to it with gloves on .
ANDYSZ2
I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
If I can ask you guys for just a bit more indulgance, I think I've narrowed it down to these suspects. The first is obviously the best, but is it enough to overcoem the money saved and accesories of the other two? I like the price of the third one, but I am suspect of the design. I know it isn't materially important, but the first two look the part, whereas the third looks wimpy.
Any opinions?
Bosch 11236VS 1-1/8" SDS Rotary HammerBosch
View Image
List Price:
$549.01Price:
$299.99
You Save:
$249.02 (45%)
7.5 amps, 3900 BPM
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Finally, Number 3:
Bosch 11224VSRK 7/8" Pistol Grip SDS Rotary Hammer--Includes Free 5-Piece SDS-Plus Bit Set and SDS-Plus Narrow Chisel. A $29.99 Value!Bosch
View Image
List Price:
$434.74Price:
$219.99
You Save:
$214.75 (49%)
6.9 amps, 6000BPM
Thanks, guys!Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
The 1st and 3rd is what I have. They each have their place. I don't remember you saying how exreme (hole size wise) you wanted to get.
The third one is great for 3/4 > hole sizes. The first one handles all that and some fair sized core bits. W/ chuck adaptor you can use none splined bits. Also it's good for chipping, surface dressing and light demo work.
The second one is in between. If you will only get one and you ONLY do some or accasional drilling in not large hokes get the 1st one. If you add brutal to the work load some times get the 3rd one.
Bosch has a 30 day you don't like it bring it back garentee. Some folks buy the tool, do their 1 or 2 jobs and return it. These tools become factory reconditions and sold as such. They come with a as new warrentty. Check with the Tool Crib for their reconditioned tools of this sort. Tool crib will also match and / or beat pricing. Shipping is free.
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
Edited 10/28/2003 7:33:32 AM ET by IMERC
I second the Bosch line of rotary drills, I have the one pictured a couple of responses up.
If (and it will happen), a bit gets stuck in concrete I just send another one in next to it to loosen up the grip on the first one. No problem.
As I've said here before............. had a Hilti TE72, it broke down, needed something else NOW, bought the Bosch, never did get the Hilti fixed.
Rod
I agree on the Bulldog. I have the 11224 and cannot believe how it will punch a hole in 40+ year old concrete for tapcons or much larger holes . It is like drilling in wood. I would like to have the next larger size though sometimes.
I´d recommend http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/modules/prcat/prca_navigation.jsp?OID=-12009
The TE-2 is sufficient for smaller jobs. TE-6A is the envy of a jobsite - extremely powerful wireless. Mathias
I've had a bulldog for 4 months now. Love it. I use it for placing rebar and for tile removal, as well as holes. I don't use it often, but when I do I use it very hard. It has exceeded my expectations!
Mike
PS I too have ran it hot when removing tile. It can take serious abuse.
Edited 11/14/2003 5:37:45 PM ET by mike
Bosch is a good choice, prior to owing a Bosch I had a Porter Cable hammer drill, can't recall the model, it turned out to be total trash. I should have taken it back for a refund however, it was one of those days where nothing went right and the last thing I needed was a new useless tool. I promptly sent it on a one way trip to power tool hell.
Well guys, thanks for all the input.
I finally pulled the trigger on a Bosch 11239VSK 1" Rotary Hammer. it is more than I have ever needed, but I prefer to have a good bit in reserve. Although I realize it isn't close to the big guns!
The deciding factor was the inclusion of a 5 peice Bosch SDS bit set for $289. That and another Bosch purchase put me over the $300 mark, so Bosch will send me a circular saw, which is a nice addition to my Skil wormer.
Hope it works out, I'll report back as soon as it gets here.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
when you get that saw let us know if it's decent?
I took advantage of the free saw offer with my mitre saw purchase.
After 7 weeks, I finally received it. It is a decent say, but clearly their very bottom line unit. I own a Bosch saw that I bought some years ago, and the quality is much better. For a basic saw and a "freebie" it is fine, but I think this one is going on Ebay!
Hey check out Fastenal for bits, I used to buy my bits from them and it seemed that they ended up being the best balance of life versus cost. They seemed to last as lung as the ones that I bought from Hilti but reasonably priced. The ones that I bought from McMaster and Grainger we made the new guy use, he got smart after a couple of hours of cursing.
Yes, Fastenal is excellent. Especially if you need something large or unusual. I got a 2 1/2" diam. by 24" Relton from them for making holes in concrete. They know their stuff and will take the time to find the right solution for those oddball problems.
-- J.S.