Do you have any recommendation regarding mark and model?
I will be doing couple of weeks worth of drilling inside the flat we would be moving into. In our current flat I used a normal drill (not hammer drill) and it was ok but bit of hard work. I want to step up and get a hammer drill this time.
Ikea do a cheap SDS one.
I have a Bosch 8500W(?), relatively powerful but it struggled with drilling into reinforced concrete, otherwise OK with everything else. However, for that reason I'd choose an SDS drill over the "normal" ones, as they have purpotedly a better drill action.
If you want something that will last you many years and is ready for the tough jobs, then stay away from the typical "Baumarkt" models and go for the semi-professional equipment.
After thinking about it for more than a year, I finally bought myself a Metabo hammer drill. It cost about 250 Euros in Germany, but it was worth every cent. We've been using it to drill holes in our basement (reinforced, waterproof concrete) and also as a mixer for cement, tile cement and caulking compound, and it's absolutely bulletproof.
The watershed moment for me was a couple of years ago, when I needed to drill some holes in the wall of our Swiss basement. I tried using a typical Bosch or Black & Decker ("Baumarkt / Home Improvement" consumer models) drill, and didn't even scratch the cement after almost 10 minutes of drilling. My neighbor loaned me his Hilti, and it cut through the concrete like nothing (less than 1 minute to drill both holes). With that experience, I learned to spend a bit more for good tools - they really are worth it.
My observations:
Bosch = Consumer crap
Black & Decker = Consumer crap
Metabo = Good / semi-professional
Hilti = Very Good / professional
Thanks I will look into Matabo and Hilti models.
Over 10 years working in construction, I can tell you that a Hilti will last you a life time, but they are DAMN expensive.
Yeah I'd look into either a Metabo or a Dewalt too. Both make some really good cordless hammer drills.
Will be worth the extra cash...
I second the Metabo tools. Their service centre is in Spreitenbach and when I was there recently I saw that they also sell items there which are heavily discounted.
Bosch has also got pro line which is pretty good. Consumer=green, pro=blue
http://www.bosch-professional.com/ch/de/
Are you looking for a Schlagbohrmaschine or for a Bohrhammer?
For a short job hire a drill from a local tool store.
I've found it cheaper to buy than to hire, especially if you want it over a weekend...
drill slowly, don't cook your bits.
With a Hilti, you'll show your neighbors that you've truly integrated ;-)
Now, while I'm not going to wave a banner for Bosch, I would just say, I am a consumer and I don't need a professional piece of kit like a Hilti. The cost differential is too great to add any extra value...
It's a bit like driving a SUV through Bahnhofstrasse ;-)
I normally buy quality tools but about twelve years ago I bought an incredibly cheap hammer drill at B and Q in the U.K. for one job as I knew it would probably get wrecked on that job.
It died suddenly a few weeks ago after twelve years of heavy use (okay I was using it for stirring about 100 litres of cement when it finally went).
I have decided to go with Metabo. Saw Metabo SBE 701 SP and SBE 900 impuls in Coop DIY store. They both are huge like an AK47 and might be too much for my needs?
I live in an apartment so looking for something to drill holes in all kinds of surfaces ranging from wood to ceiling concrete. Also usual screwing unscrewing jobs. Hammer action also required. Any Metabo model recommendation? Corded or un-corded?
This looks good but does not seem to be a hammer drill.
P.S- Which shop is Zurich has most models on display?
Personally I would not buy a "do it all tool" as using a heavy hammer drill for screwing jobs (?!) is not great.
About 15 years ago I bought a (green) Bosch Hammer drill with SDS and it have served me well over the years. I have done quite a lot bigger jobs where the drill were keep busy on very tough concrete but the machine has obviously not been used many hours a day for all the years.
If it is only for the "moving in job" I would not spend the money on a Hilti/Metabo solution even though I cannot deny the desire to own one as an old and experienced DIY guy. Having great tools is a bliss.
Go cheaper on the hammer drill and upgrade on the cordless drill/screwing tool as you will use this much more often than the hammer drill when the initial move-in jobs are done.
Just to add my 2 cents worth - I bought a Bosch PBH 3000 FRE. Used it to channel concrete walls, drill a few 26mm holes through the 20cm concrete floor, drill the 68mm holes for the sockets and so on. Hmm, well, it managed this OK, but as the work progressed, I noticed that the machine, at times, become a bit sluggish and lose a bit of power when under load. Also, it now appears to be leaking a bit of oil where the controls are to switch the drilling mode. I'm not really sure it would survive another renovation job like what we have just done. For medium-duty jobs around the house, bits of renovation here and there, it's absolutely fine. Otherwise you are far better off investing the money and running out of the shop with one of the more professional units, as other posters have described.
The above comments apply only to the Consumer stuff (green). I can't comment on the professional stuff.
Annoyingly, just after I bought the Bosch, I saw a similar beast from Makita on special offer in Germany.. could have kicked myself.
I have the Metabo SBE 900. It is a real workhorse, but yes, it is also fairly heavy.
For the stuff we've been doing in the new house, we really need two different drills -- the Metabo for the hard stuff (drilling into concrete and stone, or used to mix concrete or screed when laying tiles, etc.) and a lighter, battery-powered drill for hanging light fixtures and other stuff in drywall. I've been using the Metabo for this up until now, but sometimes the weight and the power cord are somewhat of a nuisance. On the other hand, my battery-powered tools are never charged when I need them :-(
My 10 years in construction says buy it. It's basically the cheaper version of a HILTI we use here.
It'll last you a heap and it'll get the job done.
Hornbach has a line of drills (blue colour), can't remember the name that is great for price/quality. It is an English name. Have done a lot of drilling of large holes into reinforced concrete (including in the bomb shelter). Works like a charm.
In any event, get a model that uses the drill bit style on the right of this photo (sorry, I don't know the proper name). It drops into the drill when you pull back the holder. It is designed for a serious drill.