Regular drill versus Hammer drill

[timb]

Thanks, that does make it simpler - the 'drill is out of juice' kinda gets old pretty fast; and seeing corded is cheaper, why bother with cordless...

As with most things of this nature cordless is invaluable is some situations so ideally you want both kinds.

If you only have a occasional use (eg the odd wall faster or flower pot that doesn't have a drainage hole) then the cordless probably wins since it's more flexible and convenient, particularly if you have a system of tools that use the same batteries. If you need to drill a lot of holes then the corded is the way to go. That said I haven't tried a cordless hammer drill since I have a corded one and I haven't had the need to get another.

Mine is a cheap corded B&D 3/8 hammer drill which I bought to drill some 1/2 in holes to fasten a deck to a concrete foundation abough 15 years ago. I tried using a normal drill and it was taking forever. The hammer drill was like drilling butter by comparison.

Whichever kind of drill, one thing I definately recommend is using carbide tipped masonary bits - much more effective.

[rlah]

Whichever kind of drill, one thing I definately recommend is using carbide tipped masonary bits - much more effective.

I wonder that these masonry bits should be name brand bits... I bought some cheap ones at homier.com (SDS? special shank) and the 1/4" bit doesn't drilll too well after some use ... at least not with their cheap hammer drill. I will say that it seemed to drill quite a bit better in concrete than a regular drill did on my first project several months ago. I'm looking to buy name brand bits now to see if they work better in the long run... for drilling flower pots and concrete driveways.

Then again, I may find my cheap Homier "hammer drill" is the main culprit. I probably should look at the HF one mentioned above.

rlah

[crokett]

I wonder that these masonry bits should be name brand bits...

A good bit will make a lot more difference than a good drill. I've used cheap bits in good drills and good bits in cheap drills. The latter cut much faster. The former the bits just mostly broke or went dull after a few holes. The only bits I use now are Bosch.

[BrazosJake]

I'd go corded, if you ever get into a big job, you need it.

This was one of the best $30 (now $39) I ever spent on a tool. Mines a few years old and a more tasteful grey:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=2957

[newood2]

This was one of the best $30 (now $39) I ever spent on a tool. Mines a few years old and a more tasteful grey:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=2957

I ordered it and got yesterday. I use it today removing about 20 bricks(lot of work). It took 1/3 the time I spent with the regular drill(no hammer). Wow!
I was surprised at the quality of this $40.00 rotary hammer drill. The drill bits were not bad either. I used the 3/8" bit for the whole job, moving it sideways to clean out the mortar between the bricks, yet the bit tip and shaft shows little wear as compare to the Bosch Blue Granite bit , which after 5 bricks worn out .


Anyway, I sure got my $40.00 worth out of this cheap hammer drill today.
Howie