Tools and Tool Buying

[Dave in Md]

My old ≈20yr old hammer drill has gone by the wayside.  I don't use it often enough to consider the expense of a battery version, so I am planning a corded one.  Open to suggestions.

[TxMoose]

Dave,

The only hammer drill I've used has been a Bosch. I worked great and had good balance. That being said it was the type of hammer drill that is looks like this picture and not the one that looks very similar to a standard VS Drill

TxMoose

[Dave in Md]

Thanks, I'll take a look into it

[handyman john]

Used to own a Black&Decker Quantum that quit. I looked at a bunch of replacements and ended up with a Dewalt. For the price it beats Milwaukee hands down.  Its not the industrial size Bosch and its light weight enough to not require 2 men and a boy to carry it.

It came with a steel case AND a long cord. 

If its no longer available then Porter Cable will be making it (merged a few years back) since the companies are divided on product lines now.

[Dave in Md]

John, I looked at the Bosch above and it is more than I need, Probably will go for a corded DeWalt, as I can check with a buddy of mine that works for B&D product dev and get the lowdown.  He was one of the ones involved in the new unisaw development. I'm surprised the Milwaukee is weak, their old hole hogs were pretty much indestructible.

[handyman john]

I didn't mean to mislead you on the POWER of the Milwaukee. Indeed the motor is based on the great 1/2" series drills. What came up WEAK was the price; they wanted almost 1/3 more than Dewalt for a drill of equal value and capability.

Now I KNOW I'm from WI but I don't pay extra for ANYONE's name, even if they think they ARE a seperate state from the rest of us.

[rph816]

I have the milwaukee, don't remember what I paid for it 10 plus years ago, but boy does it get the job done.  I bought it for a church project bolting pews to the floor and drilled over 200 1/2" holes 3 inches deep in old concrete without any issue.  Haven't drilled another 200 holes since. 

[monfre]

I also have the Milwaukee Hammer Drill, mines about 6yrs old and does what I ask it to do. I like the long sleek build of the tool allowing you to get the tool into tighter spaces then ones like Bosch where it has a larger body then Milwaukees long and narrow body. I can't remember what I paid for mine either but if your still looking for one I would be willing to sell mine, I recently purchased a Bosch Rotary hammer the one thats like a mini Jack hammer type tool so I never use the Milwaukee anymore. If your interested let me know.

[AxlMyk · Accepted solution]

If you won't be using it much, look at the Harbor Freight offerings.

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=hammer+drill&Submit=Go

[Dave in Md]

Thanks, I have not gotten into the habit of checking horrible freight even though I do think to suggest it to others who need a tool for a 1 or 2 time use.  Buddy of mine got a sliding miter saw from them, cuts were dead on, he brought it to me to 'tune up' before his project.  now he uses it to cut firewood to length 6 or so years later it is still going.