Demo Hammer/Roto Hammer--Help me choose

[rshackleford]

I am looking for a demo hammer or roto hammer. I have time that i just need to break and chip through a wall and other times that i would like to drill a hole. I am thinking that i want to get a dedicated hammer and a dedicated drill. We have had small drills and are unhappy with them. I am willing to spend some money.

any suggestions on brand, size, ect.

thanks.

[Gary Swart]

Go to http://www.grizzlyindustrial.com/. They have a 3 function rotary hammer/drill that for small DIY jobs can't be beat IMHO. I comes with several drill bits and a couple of chisels. This uses SDS bits and additional ones are quite inexpensive. This tool will break concrete, and is outstanding to drill holes up to 1/2" in concrete. Best news is, it doesn't cost an arm and leg. Grizzly stands behind their tools exceptionally well, too.

[rshackleford]

that sounds great, however i am not looking for a DIY type tool. This tool will be put to work with professionals and i am looking for advice from other professional.

thank you, though, i will check out grizzly.

[kordts]

I like Hilti. I have a small one for tapcons, etc. A bigger one for popping 1.25" holes for 1" water service, it can also do some light breaking. For serious breaking, I rent one.

[markts30]

For small holes and light chipping I use a Bosch "bullbog" - works well and I use it up to 1.25" holes in concrete (and through steel decking...)
For real chipping, I use one of the big "Brute" demo hammers

[rshackleford]

the brute is way to big, i have an air jack hammer for stuff that large. the work i need to do is to break in to manholes. this work is vertical in nature and the larger hammers look like they would be impossible to hold and control at right angle.

i am interested in the 20 to 25 lb hammer range.

is bosch a pretty good brand to go with?

i see that i can get bosch easy off of amazon, but i have not found a good online or local outlet for hilti.

also, it sounds like i need to look at two units. one for a roto and one for chipping.

[Dunbar Plumbing]

Hitachi 60lb jackhammer with multiple attachments including spade. <<< Best money ever spent for ground roughs, gotta have electric to run it.

[Basement_Lurker]

I was looking into this myself. I rent the Bosch Brute for heavy duty breaking, and I have rented their rotary and demo hammers. All seem to be very solid tools and get the the job done. Sooner or later I will finally purchase a rotary hammer (since I can't justify spending so much on two separate tools that I will only have occasional use for), and I will probably purchase a Milwaukee unit since I prefer them for corded power tools over all others, but the Bosch units are still going to make me second guess when it comes down to final decision.

[GrumpyPlumber]

Hitachi 60lb jackhammer with multiple attachments including spade. <<< Best money ever spent for ground roughs, gotta have electric to run it.

Hitachi large rotary hammer...I've beaten through granite with it and it keeps tickin'.

[dgold]

Durability & performance wise, they compete directly against Hilti. Price wise they're between Bosch and Hilti, but some of the independent distributors get pretty aggressive with pricing.

Good luck

[Alectrician]

I own 3 Bosch hammer drills. They work well drilling from 1/4 inch to 1 1/2 " and they chip pretty good for smaller jobs.

http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/3d/7c/Bosch_SDS_Max_Demolition_Hammer_11316EVS_Shop_Tool s1-resized200.jpg

[prashster]

Buy a small sdsmax rotary hammer. It'll let you drill holes and do light chipping. The Bosch sdsmax is awesome. The sdsmax can do everything it's smaller (sds and hammer drill) siblings can do and more. The tool's heavy though, so if you have a bad back...(if you have a bad back, you shouldn't be doing concrete work anyway)

If you have to do any larger work, yr best off with a demo hammer (like a rotohammer, but without the roto function, and with more hammer action) or a jack hammer (Bosch yellow). These tools are best (IMHO) rented.

[GrumpyPlumber]

Buy a small sdsmax rotary hammer. It'll let you drill holes and do light chipping. The Bosch sdsmax is awesome. The sdsmax can do everything it's smaller (sds and hammer drill) siblings can do and more. The tool's heavy though, so if you have a bad back...(if you have a bad back, you shouldn't be doing concrete work anyway)

If you have to do any larger work, yr best off with a demo hammer (like a rotohammer, but without the roto function, and with more hammer action) or a jack hammer (Bosch yellow). These tools are best (IMHO) rented.


Doing large basement remodels/undergrounds...forget about any "hammer"...get a diamond saw (I rent 'em, considering a purchase soon).
They slice through in a small fraction of the time, but make one BIG mess.
Make sure you have a really BIG fan.

[rshackleford]

i have a Bosch 11245EVS on the way. bought it from amazon like many other things. no sales tax.

i will be putting this thing to work on monday. i am looking forward to seeing how it works.

[markts30]

but make one BIG mess.
Make sure you have a really BIG fan.

They don't make much of any mess if you keep a bit of water on the blade (1/4" irrigation hose hooked to a hose bibb....) and use a shop vac to suck up the slurry...
And they cut quicker with less blade wear that way...
Great part is the NO DUST....

[GrumpyPlumber]

They don't make much of any mess if you keep a bit of water on the blade (1/4" irrigation hose hooked to a hose bibb....) and use a shop vac to suck up the slurry...
And they cut quicker with less blade wear that way...
Great part is the NO DUST....


I know...I use the gas powered one w/water line included...gas exhaust, thats the main problem...cough cough
The time it saves is VERY worthwhile.

[rshackleford]

we have three stihl models. work great for concrete, asphalt, steel, cast iron, ductile iron, ad plastic. just a matter of what blade you put on.

[GrumpyPlumber]

we have three stihl models. work great for concrete, asphalt, steel, cast iron, ductile iron, ad plastic. just a matter of what blade you put on.

Will you be my friend?