"CWLee" wrote in message
...

Originally I wrote:

My adult son, the amateur handyman, told me he
would like a hammer drill for Xmas. I asked him what
brand/size/model/style/color/etc and he said he didn't
know
enough to make an intelligent choice. So, I'm asking you
guys to see if there is any consensus on what to get.

All serious comments and recommendations appreciated.

So far everyone has mentioned a brand (with no apparent
concensus) but nothing has been said about size/type/style.
(Other than to suggest avoiding a battery pack model.)
Maybe those aren't significant variables? I'd be surprised
if there is not at least a size variation - either in the
size of the bit that it will accept, or the HP of the motor.

Keep those informative suggestions flowing! :-)



I was going to skip this thread based on the number of replies until I saw
your second post.

It really depends on what he wants to do with it. I have a 3/8" chuck
Makita that I bought 10 years ago for way too much money. It does a
wonderful job for 1/4" or smaller holes. I keep it on the truck for use as
needed in commercial jobs or basements when I need to make a small hole in
concrete or block. Excellent for tapcon screws or anchors.

Last year I bought a Harbor Freight roto-hammer for making larger holes when
I needed to make some bigger holes. I paid about 1/2 what I paid for the
Makita. Excellent for 3/8-1" holes in brick, concrete or block.

Both tools are designed to do different jobs. They both do their "proper"
job well.

Stay away from battery power. They just won't do the job. I use a battery
model all day every day for drilling and screwing. I would never use one
for hammer drilling.

Corded and small any name brand variable speed should be fine for normal
anchoring in concrete, brick or block.

Holes for rebar or water lines through brick, block or concrete you need a
roto-hammer spline type bit with the low rpm motor. For occasional use a
$60, on sale, model will work just fine. For everyday use you are looking
at several hundred dollars.

Colbyt