For your 1/4-1/2 holes, corded SDS.

Larger holes, forget the hammerdrills altogether and get dry diamond bits.

My dad used to install safety covers on swimming pools (the kind you can walk on) as a side gig. Typical cover was 30-75 holes needing drilled.

My dad liked to go cheap on every power tool he ever bought... EXCEPT THE ROTARY HAMMER.

He started with a hammer drill, quickly gave up and started renting rotary hammers. Once the business picked up he decided to invest in one.

Hilti is the way to go.

I have used a Bosch Bulldog Xtreme rotor hammer drill for years. If your drilling a few small holes a cordless one will be fine but a good corded rotary hammer will blow them away.

quote:

Originally posted by Scurvy:
My dad used to install safety covers on swimming pools (the kind you can walk on) as a side gig. Typical cover was 30-75 holes needing drilled.

My dad liked to go cheap on every power tool he ever bought... EXCEPT THE ROTARY HAMMER.

He started with a hammer drill, quickly gave up and started renting rotary hammers. Once the business picked up he decided to invest in one.

Hilti is the way to go.

I did a few of those many years ago when I worked for a pool company. We dealt with commercial pools. 30-75 is nothing.

Agree on the Hilti at that level. Another big key was a long drill bit so you didn't have to bent over.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
For your 1/4-1/2 holes, corded SDS.

Larger holes, forget the hammerdrills altogether and get dry diamond bits.

This. You can do 1.25" with SDS max easily or 2" painfully with good rotary and time. Only problem is you're in the $800+ rage for SDS max Hilti or similar.

I have a $150 SDS Milwaukee that will do 1/4-1/2" for general homeowner stuff or light work stuff.

I recently purchased a cordless 20V Dewalt SDS to go along with the other drills in the truck. I am pleasantly surprised at how well it works being cordless.

I greatly appreciate the advice given here—I knew nothing about the difference between a hammer-drill and a rotary hammer-drill.
I ordered a Makita XLT system cordless, uses SDS bits, and both a set and several backup bits.
I’m going to be installing a rattlesnake 1/4 inch mesh fence; the base is a low slump block wall, and I plan to use 3/16” Tapcon screws with fender washers about every 6 inches of about 125 feet of wall. The mesh will also be zip-tied to a four foot high wrought iron fence.

Good Lord, you guys rock. Thanks for the advice to everyone. I bought the Bosch (Ensigmatic turned me on to it). Heck, I might go Linux now

quote:

Originally posted by Bytes:
Good Lord, you guys rock. Thanks for the advice to everyone. I bought the Bosch (Ensigmatic turned me on to it). Heck, I might go Linux now

Now that's just crazy talk

Be sure to let us know how it works out.

I've used the Bosch Rotary hammer and it will go thru hardened 30 year old concrete like a hot knife thru butter. Unfortunately the one we had at work "took a walk" and at over 700 dollars the owner isn't willing to replace it. If you want a rotary that will take 30 years of use and still work perfectly get the Bosch.

However if you just want a home use hammer drill then the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2 inch hammer drill will work out well for holes 3/8 inch or less. Yeah it will do 1/2 inch holes but it's at it's limit with that size hole and I would consider it bordering on abusive. BTW, I have this drill and can tell you that when using to as a hand drill in steel with a large bit it will set you spinning if the bit snags. To be blunt it is powerful enough to hurt you so pay attention.

 
Another plus to the SDS rotary hammer is the variety of bits you can get, including chisels and small spades for breaking up hard dirt. There is also a wide scraping bit for removing thinest after you pull up a tile floor.
 
Bosch chisel bits.

The Bosch BullDog SDS is almost as good as a Hilti hammer drill. At about 20% or less the cost of a Hilti. It will go thru anything you can throw at it. There is absolutely no comparison between the battery powered hammer hand drills (20V) and the Bulldog.