Thread: Chippies, hammer drills and multi-speed impact drivers

Originally Posted by RedShirtGuy

But does a chippie really need a hammer drill? I can think of a few situations where it would be a benefit to have one (even a gutless cordless one) so I suppose I answer my own question as "yes", but could do with a bit of confirmation from others in the know.

You only need one if you ever want to drill into masonry/concrete - I'd say that yes, a chippie does need a hammer drill.... My old man just retired from 50-odd years of building, I know he burnt out a few of them over the years....

Does a chippie need a hammer drill?

Yes and no
Bosch sell a type of bit they call "multi construction" Multi-purpose drill bits Multi Construction Multi-purpose drill bits Drilling | Bosch accessories for professional power tools these bits don't require a hammer function to drill into masonary and concrete so can be used in a standard cordless drill

If you're needing to drill a serious number of holes into concrete you're probably better off using a corded impact drill with an SDS shank

Do you need a drill for masonry/concrete? Yes. How are you going to attach cupboards to walls, picture rails, or door frames if the walls are solid? What about building frames to concrete foundations?

There are solid walls and then there are solid walls. In older places the bricks might be hard or soft or a mixture. With the soft bricks a small 5mm drill might make a hole twice as big even with a timid hammer drill. However if you have hard brick or concrete a proper impact drill with an SDS chuck is what you will need to drill a hole with a minimum amount of fuss and time. An impact drill, with an adaptor chuck, can be used to drill into timber and steel as their speed is slower than a normal drill, but because of their torque cannot be used for screws.

The choices are many for a novice, as is the price range. Talk to chippies and reputable tool shops (not hardware stores like the green shed) as to what may be best.

Hitachi has a sale on at the moment, finishes at the end of the month.
We just bought a 13mm combination rotary/impact drill for $109.- at Mitre10.
20mm was not really that much more but for us was overkill.
Did a pretty decent job of cutting 12mm holes in the shed floor.
Cheers
Wolffie

Since when did an apprentice have to supply his own power tools. Hand tools yes, but we always came up with the other stuff.
Anyway, if you must you must. Yes, you will need an impact drill of some description. 18v any less is a waste of money.

Yeh not sure what the story is with having to supply some of my own tools for a PRE-apprenticeship (they say $3-400 worth!!), but *shrug* I need some cordless gear anyway so this is a bit of an excuse to get a few things and hopefully be in time to score some stocktake deals. I'm half-thinking about a little cordless circular saw in the pack too just for ripping down sheets at home rather than dragging big bessie out and having to deal with cording her up. The multi-piece kits are usually such insanely good value it would be silly not to maximise the usefulness of a purchase I "have" to make.

Thinking a bit about some of the replies, I'm heading towards getting a plain old, well featured, normal drill in a cordless kit (yep, 18v Li-ion minimum) and later on getting a decent corded hammer drill. The old man has a brilliant Ozito (ugh) one that drills as well as chisels that I think ultimately I'd be better off getting as it's a dedicated masonry tool and does a cracking job. If I had to do much masonry work I'm sure I'd regret going cordless.

Thanks for the extra thinking material folks

Originally Posted by RedShirtGuy

Yeh not sure what the story is with having to supply some of my own tools for a PRE-apprenticeship (they say $3-400 worth!!), but *shrug* I need some cordless gear anyway so this is a bit of an excuse to get a few things and hopefully be in time to score some stocktake deals. I'm half-thinking about a little cordless circular saw in the pack too just for ripping down sheets at home rather than dragging big bessie out and having to deal with cording her up. The multi-piece kits are usually such insanely good value it would be silly not to maximise the usefulness of a purchase I "have" to make.

it might pay to run this to ground.
There's a possibility that the cost is covered by some Government training scheme -- tools for apprentices or the like -- where you get a voucher or reinbursed the cost

would pay to check


ADDED
is this pre-apprenticeship training through TAFE or a private provider?

2nd EDIT
now if you were looking at becomming a bricklayer ...
A $250 tool voucher for the successful completion of an approved pre-apprenticeship/pre-vocational course in bricklaying/blocklaying is available from ABBTF for apprentices who commenced their training after 30 June 2011.
The apprentice must have completed the three month probationary period of the bricklaying apprenticeship and claims must be received within three months of achieving this probation. Terms and conditions apply

That's a jolly good idea ian. I'll get digging.

The course is run through TAFE.