What are you using it for?

 

Drilling 1"-4" holes in concrete, foundation walls and the occasional breaking operation for plumbing pipes. May use it in the future for scraping ceramic floor tiles up or digging with in hard clay dirt.

 

This might help you decide...

http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1489&articleID=686402

 

Hilti is seriously overpriced for what you get. I have a Makita that runs circles around the Hilti's I have used. It cost half as much as well. I would suggest trying other brands before you buy.

 

Good advice

 

ha ha I love it 2nd gen... I have the small dewalt hammer in this test and think its funny how they consider the hilti to be kind of a toy compared to the others.

Go with something other than hilti (like dewalt, bosch or makita)... think of these hammers like a car. they need to be maintained no matter what brand you get

 

While the article is a gppd review, Beetz is asking about combi-hammers (hence the question about drilling holes) not straight chippers. None of the tools in that article are combi's.

 

Very true on that.... I say if you got the money then go with Hilti

Otherwise IMO hilti is a waste of funds so I would go with another brand (Bosch is exquisite)

TE-76 did win the Combo Hammer article in TOT though (so it is very good)

 

te-76... Indestructible, runs all day long and doesn't even get warm:thumbsup:

 

Bosch, Bosch or Bosch.

Also, DeWalt.

 

Bosch, Bosch or Bosch.

Also, DeWalt.

I agree with nothing but Bosch. Hilti is great we have a rep that comes around to sell stuff but the problem i find is that you can't just go to your regular supply house to get bits, blades, chisels etc. WIth Hilti it is almost like you have to buy Hilti accessories. If you need something for a Bosch or a DeWalt (which has been completely revamped according to DeWalt distributer) it is more accessible. Hilti is to hard to buy from them online and you have to have a rep around here. Our Home Depots don't carry Hilti. The only thing i have seen that Hilti makes that REALLLLY out does any of the other big tool companies with is there 36V circular saw and the new sawzall 36V. 800 bucks for the saw though

 

If you use a rotary hammer everyday, get a Hilti. If you can go two weeks without using your rotary hammer while it is being repaired, buy a cheaper one.

 

I used to believe that. My Makita will get me a pay check, more beer money in my wallet, and back home much quicker.

Too many people think tools don't evolve. Hiliti used to be the only way to go. Just like I used to like Bosch hammers too. Tools evolve and get better and other companies catch up to the competition.

 

I have the dewalt 1"7/8 combo hammer. It works great for drilling holes up to 4" haven't done any larger. Have done alot of chipping and tile removal with it. I like it.

 

Unfortunately that is not true for all Hilti reps either. But, if you have a good tool distributor in general, they will have a similar procedure. Obviously if your Hilti rep is that dedicated to your business it can be irreplaceable. I would rather pay my tool distributor a little extra for a nice tool and not pay my Hilti rep an over priced amount for the same service.

 

You're not getting the same service. That is the point.

 

"the Makita rep bring a loaner tool to you to use while your's is being repaired? My Hilti rep will, and he will deliver the repaired tool to our shop"

I have a makita as well, the thing can take the abuse it's all metal unlike the plastic hilti and dewalt. No repairs necessary- built to last:laughing:
Hilti does make amazing hammer drills that cut through concrete like butter.

 

Hilti does make amazing hammer drills that cut through concrete like butter.

the rotary hammers are nice and do a great job... lasting seemingly forever

but when it comes to the larger hammers like the demo hammers... Hilti just doesn't cut it in this category. pure pounding power is what is desired here and they just aren't up in the game with the others

 

the rotary hammers are nice and do a great job... lasting seemingly forever

but when it comes to the larger hammers like the demo hammers... Hilti just doesn't cut it in this category. pure pounding power is what is desired here and they just aren't up in the game with the others

What are you talking about. Hilti's claim to fame before Bosch closed the gap was that there rotary hammers and breakers were the industry standard. That is a known fact. Hilti and Bosch are like 1 and 1 in this category.

 

What are you talking about. Hilti's claim to fame before Bosch closed the gap was that there rotary hammers and breakers were the industry standard. That is a known fact. Hilti and Bosch are like 1 and 1 in this category.

What am I talking about? hahaha

What are you talking about? I agree rotary hammers are probably the best you'll find.

But the larger hammers don't even come in close... the latest review compares the LARGEST Hilti hammer to other competitors. They said that this hammer didn't even compare to ANY (yes ANY) other tool in the smallest category they tested. The DeWalt hammer (which I bought thx to the article) blew all away in that category as well as the category above it.

Just cause they came up with the electro-pneumatic hammering mechanism doesn't mean they perfected it... they haven't. you are living in the past and need to come up in the times!!!

Thanks for the good laugh... hope you learned some tool knowledge here (cause it looks as if you needed it)!

check out the article (breaker hammers) in tools of trade website and come up with the times

 

Found out today that the Hilti TE-76 hammer drill is being replaced by the TE-70 hammer drill. Still basically the same drill just a fresher look. I think when I get my tax return plus the extra $600 from the government this year I might get the TE-70. What's a few hundred extra when your spending that kind of cash plus the TE-70 (or TE-76) is a lot more intimadating than the TE-56 and weight won't be an issue since it won't see use everyday.

Can the public by Hilti tools at the Hilti store or is it solely for General Contractors and repairs/service?

 

I bought stuff there before I had an account there.

 

Tools of the trade article, right? Has anyone noticed that the magazine is completely bias. I saw one article where they placed a DeFault drill ahead of a Festool drill. Also tools of the trade said that the Bosch 5412L sliding miter saw was among the worst performing saws in a test, because someone didn't like the placement of the upfront controls. It is funny how that magazine slams all of the imported tools and hypes up the american tool companies.

 

I think you might be a little too brand loyal.

I just buy the best tool in my price range.

But hey... as long as the job gets done... right? Thats what we're here for!

 

We have a TE52 and just used it the other day and a 1.5" bit went through a 10" concrete wall like butter.

 

HILTI may be over priced, but it's the best in the business if you ask me...and 10 years down the road you won't have to buy a new one.

 

they make pretty darn good quality tools

I'd rather buy a new one in ten years with all the new features though and pay less than Hilti

Tools are like any other piece of technology (like computers), they need to be replaced or upgraded every so often

 

Anyone have the TE50 or TE40? They are lighter use combo 's. I ned a new hammer drill was going to spend maybe 500 on the TE16c then started looking at investing a little more for chipping options. Havent bought it yet but now we're in the 7-800 hundred range. I would be mostly doing 5/8" holes for anchores or less but like the light duty breaking chipping options for tile or masonry steps or even small slab areas.

 

The TE-40 uses TE-T shank bits, which are only made by Hilti, while the TE-50 uses TE-Y which are the same as SDS-max sold by other manufacturers.

 

I would definitely consider this Hammer as well....3 modes.

http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=product_det&tag=HR2811F

 

How about the TE56 ATC? If you look at the links below someof the ones on E-BAY look mint, I could buy the same tool or even a heavier calibur tool for less than brand new lower calibur. They look like they are in great condition but I am skeptical on buying a tool online. Any one have a negative experience I should consider?

 

The TE-56 weighs in at about 15 pounds, not exactly what I would want for drilling small holes that can be accomplished with a TE-16 at half the weight, especially if the holes are overhead. I would be very leery of buying something used sight unseen, their is a good chance it is stolen and has a Hilti theft protection on it, so the tool wouldn't work anyway.

 

Killer completely agree. I had a Bosch Demohammer and needed to dril 5" holes in concrete. I talk to the Bosch dealer, he tells me i need to buy another drill.
I call my Hilti rep up and he tells me that he has a chuck for me that turns by breaker into a rotary drill. A few bucks as compared to a few hundred bucks. Bottom line is the only people who bash Hilti are the people that can't afford them and are P.O.d about it. Woodworking i understand that Festool has the market, but as a non "tools of the trade" opinion and an opinion by most of the top contractors Hilti is number 1 followed by Bosch at #2. And not that closely #2.

 

Tools change...quality changes, etc. If you went to world of concrete you would have seen the Hilti guys walk of shame. I saw the Makita booth and the Hilti guys were there watching their hammer get beat by a long shot. They apparently claimed foul, went and got a new hammer with their bit, tested it head to head with the Makita. Makita by a long shot.

Hilti is a good tool, but you can't count out every other brand if you haven't been paying attention to the newer stuff coming out.

 

STRONGLY AGREE with you here.... I think killertoiletspi and xanadooltd need to come out of the dark ages (or stay in the dark ages for all I care)

If I can finish a job in 1 hour with a bosch or dewalt vs. 3 hours with a Hilti... I will GLADLY (I REPEAT GLADLY) replace the tool in 5 years vs. say 7 to 10 for a Hilti.

The time saved alone would be worth it (and yes other competitors are MUCH faster than Hilti).

Best of luck to you with your slower hammers!

Oh ya and xanadooltd... you should try buying the right tool in the first place (it'll save you that few dollars you spent on the new chuck)

In response to the how many upgrades question... you never know, the electro-pneumatic hammering tool is fairly new and they can be made smaller, lighter, more powerful, etc.... we'll have to just wait and see...

 

I'll put my DeWalt or my Bosch up against any Hilti, Makita, or Milwaukee any day as well... and in 15 years they'll still be running strong

(assuming we're using the same 110v 60hz power grid we use today )

 

I agree Bosch is a bad mamma jamma.

 

In 30 years of construction, I found that there are very fews things you can count on from one job to the next to the next, etc. As far as tools go, Hilti is unquestionably one of these rare things. In nearly every area that Hilti produces equipment, it is top notch. I've found that if I buy Hilti, I don't have to ask around or do research, it will be a very good, reliable tool. When it comes to hammers, particularly rotary hammers, the only real competition has been Bosch, but they just don't seem to be built as tough, even tough their performance is good. The only electric hammer I haven't tried is Kango, but I have heard that they are decent.

I got into Hilti after finding that most rental shops would only buy Hilti, and asking them why. It's because they do the job well and will last forever.