Hey guys, I need some input please.<br>My third B&amp;D 1/2&quot; reversable hammer drill is about to die. Don't have it in front of me but seem to remember it is rated at 5.5 amps. Perhaps drilling a lot of 1/2&quot; and 3/4&quot; holes in concrete contributed to the speedy deaths. I need a reversable drill that can handle a 1/2 drill or maybe even a 5/8&quot;. It must be able to also chuck a 1/16&quot; drill bit. Reversable and hammer.<br>As I do a lot fair bit of concret drilling what in your opinions is the best brand, model etc?<br>Should I forget about trying to make this poor drill do everything and put out the big bucks and go for just a reversable drill with no hammer plus purchase a 1/2' or 5/8&quot; hammer drill? If so what brand, model etc?<br>Getting tired of the B&amp;D problems. My last drill I totally stripped the gears.<br>Any suggestions as to the best place to buy for best price would also be appreciated. If I can find a good place to buy this I can have it shipped down to me.<br>

 

[move][glow=green,20,15]makita[/glow][/move]

 

Watch that Milwaukee 1/2&quot; &quot;hole shooter&quot;. Suckers got so much torque it hurts when it grabs. Great drill though.

 

OH oh. Three replies and three different brands. This is what I was afraid of. So now I am still confused. (Yeah, I know. It does not take much)

 

Really though I would recommend two different drills. At work we have Hilti drills that use a splined bit (I know, more expensive) and they seem to last a long time. I have drilled through 19&quot; of bluestone (granite) a few times. Also have used a bit up to 3/4&quot; with them.<br>Tom

 

If money is no object, you cannot kill a Hilti. <br><br>I don't sell them, but I do use them.

 

if your hammer drilling concrete or masonary get a Hilti nothing better well worth the extra $$

 

One reason I asked you 'experts' is that I am thinking that the way I go thru drills is that maybe it is cheaper in the long run to get nothing but the best. I did this years ago with wrenches (most of my wrenches are Snap-On) and although it cost a leg and two arms at the time I have seldom broken one and they have saved me money. So now methinks it is time to bite the bullet and get the best drill(s). OK, agreed nothing beats a Hilti for drilling in congrete, but which 1/2&quot;, variable speed reversable? I know that Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch and DeWalt are all good names. There are a couple more like Porter that I know nothing about but I still don't know which is the BEST quality brand for this kind of drill? I know Consumers did a comparison some time ago but can't find a modern comparative test. So I am still at square one on this. Hope more of you chime in with your opinions.

 

I do prefer Hilti. <br>We have one Hilti for the really bad stuff ( like 2&quot; holes through reinforced concrete in a hurry) and some AEG and Makita drills for the small stuff. But the Hilti is always getting more use because of the comfort factor. Big Hiltis just hammer away and turn the drill bit just enough to feed out the lose material. There is an adaptor that lets you use standard drill bits on a Hilti. (Looks like a splined bit that has ben cut off and a standard holder welded to it), but for concrete I do not suggest this device. <br>Look at some nice stuff under www.hilti.com <br><br>AlpineRAM

 

If it is something you use a lot and plan on using. Blow the cash and get the best. In the long run a good quality tool will serve you for years and for the times it does break, it will be able to be serviced. You have gone through two(?) hammer drills so far so we know those brands are out. I have had good luck with Makita skilsaws and angle grinders. I have a Millwaukee sawzall that has yet to prove itself. The part that screws a guy up is that a manufacturer can be good at making saws and grinders but lousy at drills. Makita made a sawzall but it &quot;looked&quot; cheap and didn't have the servicing features the Milwaukee had.<br>Downfalls to buying the best...<br>Someone always wants it more than you do, and they will find a way to get it... It MAY get stolen...<br>the tool may out last parts and supplies. My father was in the building buisness for 35 some years. He has a &quot;Redhead 747&quot; hammer drill that has to be at least 28 some years old. you can't get drill bits for the thing any more.<br>enough of my rant...

 

Hilti. I started with a Milwaukee, but was extremely disappointed with it's performance so I bought a Hilti on a 100% satisfaction basis. 3000 lb. concrete....Playdoh... Some of the models have replaceable chucks to allow the use of standard twist drills but expect to pay around $80 US for the chuck. They all have reverse and variable speed, hammer/rotation or rotation only. Others have hammer only which is good for chiseling.

 

Hilti ;D

 

For the smaller stuff I have a 1/2&quot; Bosch hammer drill/VSR that is about the smoothest small drill I have ever used. For large hammering I can get my hands on an older DeWalt (pre-B&amp;D) SDS drill but the bits are to buy. I also like my 25 year old B&amp;D VSRs - ain't killed one yet.<br><br>I like Milwaukee Tek-screw guns (built a metal stud shop and helped build a metal stud house with one).<br><br>My little brother has a 24V Bosch portable everything setup with a portable hammer drill - nice tool to have if you need a few holes and don't want to drag a cord around.

 

if you decide to go with two different drills Hilti for hammering and a different one for regular drilling, the one suggestion I have, to decide on the other, is to go to a few tool repair places that sevice alot of different brands, and don't sell any tools, talk to the repair men and see what they have to say about which ones cost the least to repair, which ones they think require the least ammount of repair, armed with that information, then go to a tool place that has a bunch of different brands compare specs, and the drills, see which ones fill the best in your hand, offer features you like and then decide, hopefully by that point you will have it narrowed down some. Myself I like Millwakee(sp) and Makita as well as Portercable, and for heavy drilling while more difficult to use keyed chucks hold better than keyless chucks