[TowerTalk] SDS Hammer Drill Sale

[Ian White GM3SEK]

AA6DX - Mark wrote:
>Coupon good thru today .. lots of queries, here `tis on line
>http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/emails/display.do?fname=34_retailB.html

That particular model (or something very like it) has been around in 
Europe for some time, but those large SDS drills may not be the bargain 
they seem. At 10 pounds they are too heavy for anything but drilling or 
chiseling downward.

The SDS system works by delivering very sharp hammer-blows, and it 
doesn't need a heavy-bodied drill behind it, so a better choice for 
all-round use would be the "2kg" class. These are large pistol-grip 
drills, but still have a comfortable heft in one hand - for example:
http://tinyurl.com/qg3bj

I have that particular model, and it is solid, reliable and a real 
pleasure to use. With that and a good cordless drill, I'm all set. The 
old hammer drill never comes out of the box any more.

The granddaddy of all the SDS brands is Bosch, who invented the system. 
However, the technology is now licensed to many other firms, so all 
drills in the same weight class are pretty similar, give-or-take a few 
features.

It's worth the time and trouble to read some reviews, and then look for 
a good price on a drill that has all the following features:

* "2kg" (5-pound) class... unless you are genuinely looking for a heavy 
concrete blaster.

* SDS+ chuck - obviously

* Safety clutch - don't touch an SDS drill that doesn't have one! These 
machines have serious torque.

* Hammer stop (drill only, for accurate starting - then flip on the 
hammer action and watch it go!)

* Rotary stop for chiseling, which is lockable at several different 
angles (some models have rotary stop, but either lock at only one angle 
or don't lock at all)

* Good slow-speed control.




-- 
73 from Ian GM3SEK         'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek