Hammer Drill Recommendations!

Hey everyone. I'm looking to get into some bolting and looking for recommendations on hammer drills.

What's the best one to snag?

Let me know what you all think is the best or best value!

Make sure you get one that uses SDS bits.  Many have just gone out and bought a "hammer drill" that has the standard bit that tightens down with a chuck.  These are not intended for the type of drilling you want to be doing.   You can't go too wrong getting Bosch, Dewalt, Makita or Milwaukee.  I have been using a 18v Bosch with 6Ah batteries.  One 6Ah battery will easily drill 20 plus holes with juice left over.  They usually come with a 2.5 or 3Ah battery and you will get fewer holes per charge but they are fine as long as you bring a few.  When I drill in remote areas I just carry in a single 6Ah battery because I know it will be more than enough for most days in the mountains.  Remember to pack extra bits and don't skimp and buy bargain bits, Ive had a few carbide tips come off the drill tip when I tried to save a few bucks.

1. SKIL 6445-04 (Best Value)
2. Bosch 11255VSR BULLDOG Xtreme (fmwhatsapp)
3. Makita XPH012 18V (Best Cordless)
4. Ryobi ONE+ 1/2 in GIDDS2-3554574

Take a read through this thread. Almost every drill has been mentioned.

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/118756953/best-drill

I always look into these threads and wonder if people know that MP is searchable.

-M12 SDS is the most compact/lightest solution
-Makita all black 18v brushless SDS is compact and light 18v version of the M12, basically
-Bosch 18v-36v is great, but heavy
-Milwaukee 18v is maybe the best compromise of weight, power, and battery efficiency
-Hilti is still the king, but you're going to pay for it

CPO Outlets do a recon sale several times a year and is a good place to find a deal.

Dont buy batteries on Ebay that say "for X brand", buy the OEM ones always.

Ma Ja wrote: I always look into these threads and wonder if people know that MP is searchable.

As far as I'm aware, it's not searchable on the app, which is pretty much all many people use. 

Doesn't matter too much, any of the big name power tool companies will be fine. Just make sure you get a battery with enough power so you don't run out half way through.

The title "Hammer Drill Recommendations!" may cause some confusion. Hammer Drills are the ones that don't use SDS bits and basically don't work. A Rotary Hammer is what you want.

arthur walls wrote:

1. SKIL 6445-04 (Best Value)
2. Bosch 11255VSR BULLDOG Xtreme (fmwhatsapp)
3. Makita XPH012 18V (Best Cordless)
4. Ryobi ONE+ 1/2 in GIDDS2-3554574

#2 is the only one of these that is a proper hammer drill, but it isn't cordless.