Demo Hammer Recommendations

[PSULion92]

Hi guys:

I was hoping someone could give me a specific recommendation for a demo hammer. I want to purchase one, then likely sell it after I am finished. I prefer not to rent one in order to be able to work at my own pace. I was looking at the Bosch Model 11318EVS-RT, which is available refurbished from Bosch for about $400. They also have several other models, in varying price ranges.

I plan on removing about 1000 SF of ceramic on a concrete slab. It has been easy to get the tiles off, but the thinset has been tough. I have only done a 35 SF bathroom using hand tools, and for the remaining project, I really need something electric!

Thanks guys,

JS

[bobturner]

Check out the dewalts. I use mine a lot and its lighter, cheaper, and more powerfull than the Bosch. I think I paid $360 for mine new not refurbished.

[PSULion92]

Do you have a model number for your DeWalt?

Thanks,

JS

[bobturner]

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/to...productID=5867

hope that helps. I used a Bosch for years and this thing has just as much power but half the weight.

[PSULion92]

What type of scraping blade do you attach to the DeWalt and where do you get yours?

Thanks again!!!

JS

[bobturner]

I use a 3" scaling chisel. I got mine with the hammer at a local tool store. ($30)I am sure they will have them wherever you decide to get yours. I have even seen them at HD.

[PSULion92]

Guys:

Any other recommendations before I pick up the DeWalt?

Thanks,

JS

[jdkimes]

Have you tried Tool King? They have that DeWalt for $259 plus $8 shipping. Factory recon. I've bought a bunch of stuff there and the factory recon looks brand new and has same warranty as the new.
I live in Denver area so can't speak to their shipping speeds, but seem like a good outfit.

[verotileguy]

i have four Makita 20 lb demo hammers with 6 " carbon steel blades, Exellent for thinset removal, mud removal, the smaller 3 in blade we use for the actual tile and stone. average price is around 400.00 with the 6 in blade running around 120.00. these pay for themselves

Upsides.. Very reliable, have had no problems with hammers themselves and 2 of them are 3 yrs old, They do get used quite often..

Downsides.. Heavy, but 6 in blade has a 2 ft shaft, no kneeling.. the 6 in blade has one draw back, it is thru bolted, Buy extra bolts from makita, these are case hardened but they do shear of after around 2 thousand ft of demo.

Also great for vinyl demo.
'




'

[Rd Tile]

[PSULion92]

Since I have STILL not bought a demo hammer, what is the opinion on this for floor tile removal?

Bosch 6.5Amp SDS-plus Chipping Hammer Model# 11320VS
$279.90

Specially-Designed Impact Mechanism: Smooth change between no-load and hammering modes. Superior tool control for easier positioning and precision chiseling.
SDS-plus Bit System: Tool-free bit changes with auto bit locking, dust protection and maximum impact energy transfer. Eliminates problems associated with proprietary types of steel.
Variable Speed Trigger switch with Lock-on: Exact adjustment of impact force. Greater comfort, less fatigue.
Oil Lubrication: Excellent cold-start and sure lubrication in all working positions.
Vario-Lock: Rotate and lock chisel into 12 different positions to optimize working angle.
Cushioned Softgrip Rear Handle: Absorbs shock and vibration for operator comfort and less fatigue.

[PSULion92]

All this demo hammer research is driving me crazy. Do I need to get a DEMO HAMMER or will a HAMMER DRILL with a CHIPPING FEATURE (similar to the one Bob described above), be ok?

I would prefer to buy from one of the big box stores because of the return policy versus buying online, but HD does not really carry anything and Lowes only charries Hitatchi.

Eveyone here seems to have a different recommendation based on my review of the posts. Any concensus on what a homeowner should get to remove 1000SF of tile?

Thanks,

John

[prashster]

This is a hard decision and the reason why I'd say rent and plan to finish the job in a single day.

A hammer drill is good for drilling anchor holes in concrete. It's light and can drill holes in wood in a pinch. Other than that, it's a waste.

A rotary hammer comes in 2 flavors: SDS and SDSMax/Spline. Difference is in the chuck and motor size; regular SDS holds smaller bits. Both types can be hammer drills, or can operate in chipping mode only. An SDS in chip mode is what I'd use for demo-ing the tiles or for drilling holes in concrete. But that's all it's good for (IMHO) - check out the Bosch Bulldog. Light and powerful. The Max is good for drilling a dustless hole for a sump pit - where you need to drill huge pilot holes and then chip out a few inches of concrete in a small area. It's too unwieldy for the tile work, and can chip the substrate if yr not careful. But it's too wimpy to carve out any serious trenches in concrete.

A demo hammer only chips; it's a mini jackhammer. But bkz it doesn't have to have a rotary chuck, it's a better and more efficient chipper than an rhammer is. These tools are probably good if you have to work horizontally to bust up a foundation. They do a passable but painful job of busting trenches. But to do THAT right, you shld really get a jackhammer.

The bottom line (for me) is that each of the tools has it's specific strong point, and you might not get much repeated use out of any one. Yet, you'll have to ante up $300-$1000 for any one. Rent. Rent 2 days if you really need to. 1000sft isn't THAT much that it can't be accomplished in a day.

Use a respirator. Concrete dust is bad for you.

[howgil]

My experience with the chipping hammer is that it is great for removing tile and not so good for getting thinset off a concrete slab. The Bosch surface grinder works great, and has an unbelievably efficient dust removal system.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...360174-1953600

[stullis]

Surface grinder is great but be prepared to go through a lot of vacuum bags.
Definitely use a bag in the vacuum too or you will burn up the vacuum quickly.

If tile are down well a pneumatic air hammer works better to remove the tile.