Best Drill?

Dan Bachenwrote:

Similar question:  I've been tasked with purchasing a drill for rebolting local crags. Not my $$$, so I want to get it right. I own an 18v Bosch and love the thing, but spinning some studs can be at the upper limit of the tool, so I'd like to get some thing a little beefier. Budget is in the $300-400 range with batteries. Primarily using it on harder limestone and softer granite. Spinning old 3/8 studs and drilling holes to 1/2 in. Any model recommendations from folks who do this type of work?  

If the Bosch you have is one of the 3/4” rated drills, you might want to look at the 1” rated Bosch GBH18V-26 for your LCO. You’d be able to share batteries and it should have more power for spinning wedge bolts.

If i was just doing bolt replacement and not doing fa's I would go with a bigger drill. 36v bosch or big hilti? 20v dewalt???? 

bernard wolfewrote:

my criteria for selection was hammer impact energy (typically listed in joules), battery strength, general reputation for quality (i wanted value for my money, some assurance of long tool life, and the ability to get a decent price if i needed to sell).  The Dewalt models described in this thread, the Hilti model i described previously, and the Bosch model 18V Bulldog with two 5 amp/hr batteries, what i ended up purchasing, seem to all be in close agreement to what i was looking for.  This and other forum threads were of great help so thanks for sharing your feedback.

Thanks. Did some research and the M18 1" ( model 2912-22) is looking like the best value. Impact energy is around 2 ft lbs, which is 0.5 more than the equivalent Dewalt and Matika and more than the 1'' Bosch.  The kit also comes with two 6 ah batteries. At 10 lbs it would be too heavy for ground up, but for rapping into roadside routes it seems great. Not 100% sure that increased bit diameter translates to better torque for spinning studs, but figure it can't hurt. Also sounds like the Milwaukee has some tech to cut out when the tool binds and prevent damage. 

If you aren’t already doing this, once you have the spinner tool attached and the wedge bolt has been tapped with a hammer to unseat the clip, use a hand wrench to turn the bolt using the coupler nut of the spinner before attaching the drill and trying to spin with it. This is the only way I’ve been able to remove 1/2” wedges, and I’m sure it doesn’t hurt with 3/8” bolts to demand less from whatever drill you’re using

Drew Neviuswrote:

If you aren’t already doing this, once you have the spinner tool attached and the wedge bolt has been tapped with a hammer to unseat the clip, use a hand wrench to turn the bolt using the coupler nut of the spinner before attaching the drill and trying to spin with it. This is the only way I’ve been able to remove 1/2” wedges, and I’m sure it doesn’t hurt with 3/8” bolts to demand less from whatever drill you’re using

Or just get a Hilti. My 22v TE 4-A22 will spin 1/2” studs all day, and has been doing so since 2014, when I bought it used! It’s outlasted my friend’s 36v Bosch, his 18v Bosch, and will probably outlast his 18v Milwaukee. I still have a first generation li-ion TE 6-A I use for work and the occasional heavy replacement job like long 5/8”holes for the big twist bolts. That drill is getting close to 20 years old and still preforms like the day I bought it, though I swear it gets heavier every time I use it!

+1 for hand spinning at the start, the first few turns are typically the most difficult. I have also used an impact driver as it has a lot more torque than an SDS drill but it can be annoying to lug around two tools.

Nick Goldsmithwrote:

If i was just doing bolt replacement and not doing fa's I would go with a bigger drill. 36v bosch or big hilti? 20v dewalt???? 

Yes. If you are going to be spinning bolts then something rated at least 1 1/4" imo.

Mmmmmmmmakita! Compact 18v SDS.   

Pete , that little makita is awesome and absolutely perfect for FA work! especially handy for  ground up silliness. 

Yep, nice thing is I’ve already got the 18v compact impact drill.   So using both drills for install or removal projects is a breeze.  My old 3ah battery still does 15 1/2x5 holes or 25-30 3/8 holes and not so heavy.  For big projects slap in 5ah or 6ah battery for all day use. 

Hello,

Consider the new Makita 40v drill. There are youtube videos comparing it to the 36v (2x18v). It is more powerful in use.

Drew Alldredge wrote:

Not only is the Makita subcompact a great little drill for rout making, 

Are you discussing the XRH06ZB ( makitatools.com/products/de… ), the XRH12Z  ( makitatools.com/products/de… ) or the XRH01Z ( makitatools.com/products/de… )

RIGID 18V hammer drill. I have drilled plenty and not had to change battery.  Have a RYOBI 18V and it worked, but went through batteries.

I always carry a hand drill and wall hammer just in case it needs to be finished and tool dies! Back in the 1990's we were setting bolts at a Summer Camp in Colorado and they rented a 36V Bosch Bulldog with extra battery. Anyway it died and never got a hole completed. We spent the weekend drilling them all by hand.

Anybody have experience or familiarity with this DeWalt tool?  Its a 12V hammer drill......sort of like a miniature version of their larger 18 or 24V tools.  Looked pretty neat.

is it a hammer drill or an SDS rotary hammer?  two entirely different tools. I have a bunch of 20 and 60v dewalt  tools and they are decent but not awesome.  the Milwaukee  cordless line seems a bit more rugged inmop? If I was going to get a 12v rotary hammer which I am not going to do it would be the Milwaukee. I have the sub compact Makita 18v rotary hammer and it is awesome.  

Side note:
If you have one or two models you really think you want to get, search here and/or set up deal alerts:
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jc5462wrote:

RIGID 18V hammer drill. I have drilled plenty and not had to change battery.  Have a RYOBI 18V and it worked, but went through batteries.

I always carry a hand drill and wall hammer just in case it needs to be finished and tool dies! Back in the 1990's we were setting bolts at a Summer Camp in Colorado and they rented a 36V Bosch Bulldog with extra battery. Anyway it died and never got a hole completed. We spent the weekend drilling them all by hand.

I got one of these new off eBay for $95. It's heavy but burly and functions just fine. I've probably drilled over 200 3/8"x3" holes in hard granite/gneiss with it, spun dozens of wedge bolts and drilled out to 1/2" during replacement efforts, and used in concrete/masonry at work, and it shows no signs of slowing down. I already had the batteries from a previous Ridgid toolset, so it was a good deal for me. Unfortunately the Ridgid lifetime warranty is not transferable via eBay asfaik. Be cautious of the clutch dial with any drill as it can get mangled dragging and smacking the unit against the rock.

bernard wolfewrote:

Anybody have experience or familiarity with this DeWalt tool?  Its a 12V hammer drill......sort of like a miniature version of their larger 18 or 24V tools.  Looked pretty neat.

Hello,

We have tried both this and the new 18v subcompact version. The 18v version is more powerful and does not weight much more.

The 18v version also allows the use of 18v dewalt leaf blowers.

Thank you.