Hammer drill vs. standard

admin

I was looking at purchasing a 1/2" corded drill to supplement my 1/2" cordless PC drill.  I was looking at either a Milwaukee Hammer drill such as the 5370-6 or a Milwaukee Magnum drill such as the 0299-20.  I mostly do metal working with some wood and very little concrete.  What would the advantages/disadvantages of each one be?  Would I be fine with just the standard drill or would it be worth spending the extra money on the hammer drill in the long run?  If I can justify it I do not  mind spending more money on the short term, if it will save me in the long run.  Thanks for any input.
Reply:rigger,About a year ago I bought a Dewalt DW989 Cordless 18 volt Hammerdrill.  The most awesome thing about this drill is the keyless chuck.  Dewalt calls it a "ratcheting" chuck and it also has carbide jaws.  I have drilled all sorts of holes in wood, different metals and concrete and have NEVER had a bit slip in the chuck.  This is a first for any drill or drill press I have owned.  The chuck has no markings identifying who made it, but it has to be a winner.Allen T.
Reply:The only advantage of hammer drill is for concrete and masonary mtls.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Now S, yer showin yer youth & lack of experience again.In addition to concrete drilling, the hammer action comes in right handy as a chip breaker when drilling hard steels and ceramic metals, and it will increase drilling production in a lot of hard woods when using a Forstner type bit.Personally, I like the AEG line of light hammerdrills for up to 3/8 holes, and Hilti for anything bigger.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:I have a Hilti too oldtimer.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Hilti TE5 that I just bought about a month ago.  Awesome!!  Light, small and tons of power.  First and only Hilti I have owned.  It replaced a Hammer drill that my wife bought as a Christmas present.  That Hammer drill lasted about 1/2 a hole of 3/16 size drill bit before the chuck came apart.  That was a Homier hammer drill, in case anyone wanted to know.  Before the chuck came apart, the drill itself made the worst noise.  I used the Hilti to drill about 26 holes in concrete and stone on the railing I posted.  I also used to to set in the concrete screws.  Drove them in like nothing.  Just a great Rotary Drill.
Reply:Just sold my TE5, and it was an awesome hammerdrill.  I'm finishing up my last job with my DeWalt 1/2" hammerdrill.  It's not nearly as fast as the Hilti, but it gets the job done well, was just using it today.  Also already sold the cordless DeWalt hammerdrills.  They were awesome considering what they were designed for.
Reply:I've got an old B&D industrial 7/8" sds hammer drill that refuses to die! I bought a regular chuck for it and use it for wood, steel and concrete. It has probably sunk around 10,000 holes ( 75% in concrete in the 3/8 to 3/4 range) and it is still kicking! A good hammer drill is worth the $$$. Hilti's are great if you can afford them. After them, I'd say Bosch would be about the best. My 1 1/2" spline drive Bosch kicks the thunder out of my Milwaukee. The Dewalt Very heavy dutys seem ok, too.My .02
Reply:I had an old Black & Decker , must be 20 years old, can't get any parts for it. The handle is broke(duct taped together) and it looks like hell but the thing still works. I think Hilti is the best(most expensive), but I've got a Bosch 1-1/2" spline drive(probably 4 years old) like DDA52 and it works pretty good. I use 2 small Milwaukee's a 1/2" and a 3/8" that will hammer. Those get alot of work and I've never done anything to them. I think they are maybe 9 and 12 years old. I'd buy another one of the small Milwaukees. If you don't ever set any anchors(sleeve,tapcon,red heads etc.) in concrete block or cement maybe you don't need a hammerdrill. I would get one anyway if the need ever arises oyu're good to go. You don't have to run it on hammer. DavidDavid
Reply:It's odd, but I was looking at hammerdrills until I started using my 10-15yo 3/8" B&D.  Now the biggest I'm doing is 1/2", but I"m very very happy with it.I'm rewiring my house including my basement so I'm setting dozens of anchors up to 1/2", and I also plan on using this drill to drill out my SE hole.  I looked at 1/2" drills and was like nope, just don't need it yet!