Which SDS Drill ??

[SamT]

Right then, bit of a case of "cant see the wood for the trees", i.e. information overload coming back from google.

I'm in the market for an SDS drill (combined birthday/xmas present) and am a bit overwhelmed by the massive choice on the market.

I'm wanting something that is a bit all round.  Mainly bolting with BP bolts, drilling snapper holes, diy at home, maybe the odd bolt climb, but unlikely (and I have options to borrow something more suited)

(BTW... Im not interested what so ever in any chat about smaller diameter bolts, more holes yada yada yada, save that for the other threads.)

My instinct tells me Bosch 24v or maybe makita.  I've used the 18v Makita DHR202RFE a lot, which has been great and impressive for its size/weight, but perhaps seemed a little underpowered when drilling 16mm holes.

I know many are fans of the Bosch 36v Li-ion but is it too big/heavy.  I'm not completely sold by 'more volts is better'.  Just look at 110v vs 240v.  obviously more Ah is a more desirable attribute.

Hilti is probably too expensive - would like to spend around 2 - 300 quid.

Any views on the Hitachi DH24DVC or similar.

Also, I'd like to take into account the 're-packability'/replace-ability of the batteries as 9 times out of 10, its the batteries that pack up, not the drill.

 

[TheBitterEnd]

I've posted this before but I bought a Hitachi DH18DSL early this year and it is great. It is only two function (rotary and hammer, no chisel) but small and light and about as fast at drilling 8mm holes as my big heavy mains SDS. It is also proper SDS+ unlike the Bosch Uneo. The only minor quibble is that the battery is right on the end of the end of the handle so it doesn't stand up.

Depends what DIY you are doing but for general stuff like drilling masonry and timber it is all you need. I guess you may want a bit more grunt if you are drilling big holes for resin anchors but if you want something small and relatively light I'd recommend it.

 

[JB]

My Bosch 24v just keeps going Sam. A fella on here who posts as Bottlebank supplies new batteries (which seem fine). U know as well as I do u def want a tool that drills the holes fine without whinging about it rather than something smaller that just about manages it. Where's the fun in taking light drills underground anyway! There is a smaller bosch which u can see on their professional site which I thought looked good for smaller holes.

Jules

 

[cavermark]

You get a bit more "welly" (listed as impact energy in specs I think) with the 36volters, which can be handy when drilling bigger holes (handy in scottish quartzite too) but overheating/wearing out drill bits can be an issue.  Biffa has had success making "remote" Lipo packs to reduce the weight of the drill in your hands.

 

[SamT]

What model no. was yours Jules.

 

[meanderthal]

Second vote for the 18v Hitachi, great battery life and nice and surprisingly quick. I've used it for bolt climbs and exploring alpine potholes and was very impressed.

 

[Rob]

You'd do well to beat the versatility of a Makita 14.4v BHR162RFE.

Enough welly to do shot holes, but light enough for bolt climbing and carrying to the end of long caves.

 

[Mark Wright]

I would have to agree with Rob regarding the Makita. I've not come across anything better for bolting.

Mark

 

[Mark Wright]

I've just done a Google search and Makita no longer make them. There are a few places who still have stock so if you want to get hold of one of the best caving drills you will have to be quick.

Mark

 

[sluka]

Bosch GBH 18 V-EC PROFESSIONAL, 2.6 kg, 5 Ah Accu: GBA 18V 5,0Ah M-C

 

[Mark Wright]

I've got 3 of the Makita 14.4v BHR162RFE that we use a lot at work. One of them I've had since 2007 and is still going strong despite being completely dunked under water and falling down a 13m shaft. They really take some hammer. Sluka's suggestion might be better for the bigger holes you are likely to be drilling.

For aid climbing I find the weight of the Makita to be OK but more importantly the balance is perfect for me. Its usually being used at full stretch with one hand. If you start using remote batteries, particularly with the larger machines, the balance of the machine will make drilling for a bolt climb really awkward as the machine will be very front heavy.

In 2010 we were sponsored by Makita for one of the Mulu expeditions and due to BT buying all the UK stock of the BHR162RFE's they gave us some 18v BHR202RFE. These were an excellent all-round tool although very front heavy for bolting.

Mark

 

[SamT]

Hmm - bit disappointed with the responses so far. 

I'm not in the market for a light weight, small drill for bolt climbing, remote, expedition type use.  Otherwise I'd look no further than the makita 14.4v model.  Not overly bothered by balance when held way above head height as I'm not buying this for the unlikely event I find another titan.  I'll probably be re-bolting routes wiht BP anchors (climbing and caving routes) , already hung on an ab rope. Or drilling long shot holes - 12mm plus in some dig somewhere, or drilling 16mm holes in masonry for water pipes at home.

So - 24v seems to have disappeared from the market. it's all about 18v or 36v it seems.  My gut tells me 18v wont be up to what I'm after, yet 36v is too big/bulky/expensive.

my list so far.

Make Model         Volts Batttery Impact Weight Length Price         Deal
Bosch GBH 18v-EC 18 Li Ion 1.7         2.6         285         416.49 2 * 4aH batteries
Bosch GBH24VS         24 NiCd         1.3         3.8         329         249.99 2 * 2aH batteries (clearance)
Bosch GBH36V-LiCP 36 Li Ion 1.8         2.9         297         349.99 2 * 1.3ah
Bosch GBH 36 VF-LI 36 Li Ion 2.8         4.5         396         510.95 3 * 4aH batteries
Hitatchi DH18DSL  18 Li Ion 1.4         2.2         276         307.48 1 * 4aH batteries
Hitatchi DH24DVC/JK 24 NiMh         1.7         3.7    303         289.99 2 * 2aH batteries
Hitatchi DH24DVC         24 NiMh         1.7         4       -         299.99 2 * 2aH batteries
Makita DHR202RFE 18 Li Ion 1.93         3.5                  276.99 2 * 3aH batteries
Makita DHR241RFE 18 Li Ion 1.93         3.5                 318.12 2 * 3aH batteries
Makita BHR241RFE 18 Li Ion 1.9         3.2                 396.67 2 * 3aH batteries

Prices might not be the best on the market, just a guide based on top few google shopping results

my budget is between 200-300 quid preferably.

My leanings are towards either the Makita 18v DHR202RFE, or one of the bosch's if I can extend the budget.

I'm sure there are others to consider.  (though not fussed by owt by dewalt - not sure why, just not).
Think there are more by hitachi to consider, 25.5v ones - but its getting late.

Any input on stuff chunkier than 14.4v welcomed.

 

[cavermark]

I have Bosch 36 VF-LI - it really packs a punch and 1 battery lasts ages... but it is the heaviest of your bunch so you would notice taking it a long way underground (the digs I use it in are all fairly near surface).

I've been impressed with a range of Makita gear at work and underground - stands up to abuse, but I haven't used the specific models you list.

No real experience with Hitachi.

 

[SamT]

Hmm - bit disappointed with the responses so far. 

Sorry.. didn't mean to sound so grumpy. I appreciate that folks have taken the time to reply.  Guess I should have made it clearer what I want the drill for in the first place.

 

[Les W]

Sam, as Mark Wright said above, we were sponsored by Makita in 2012 for the Mulu expedition. They gave us 3 BHR202RFE 18v LiIon drills. They performed exceptionally well, stood up to the rigours of expedition use and are still in use now. We only used them for bolting but a lot of bolts have been placed. 

 

[Badlad]

I've had the Bosch GBH36 VFLI for about two and a half years now.  It's a great drill and done a lot of hard work, both underground and building site.  With my 3 batteries I can get just under 5x1m 10mm shot holes from it.  I have had to replace the bushes in this time which was done by Bosch under their post and repair scheme.  I paid about ?500 for mine on a deal with three batteries.  That sounds like it is over your budget but I know someone who bought the lighter weight version of this drill on GumTree for ?150 and was very happy with it.  I think the replacement batteries are quite reasonable too (around ?60-70?), unlike the batteries for the 24v which were around ?160.

I'd suggest you check out the 'compact' version and see if that can fit your price and needs.  The beginning of this vid shows them both.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUvMdcU1Zkg

 

[sluka]

There are two kinds of motors there - one with brushes and second one with electronic control (EC for Bosch). The difference is about 30 % more power from the same battery with EC.

 

[cavermark]

There are two kinds of motors there - one with brushes and second one with electronic control (EC for Bosch). The difference is about 30 % more power from the same battery with EC.

Is EC what is also called "brushless" ?

 

[bograt]

There are two kinds of motors there - one with brushes and second one with electronic control (EC for Bosch). The difference is about 30 % more power from the same battery with EC.

Is EC what is also called "brushless" ?

No, 'brushless' motors usually work on AC, not suitable for battery machines, the Bosch EC drills use a spring loaded contact to the armature, this often burns out when battery voltage gets low, (i.e. when voltage drops, current increases causing burnout) I have a couple of examples of this, -  drills in bits!. I would advise using a drill with replaceable brushes.

 

[Mark Wright]

Most of the top end battery operated radio controlled model cars have brushless motors. I've just been doing some research on them for a Christmas present.

Mark