rotary hammer or demo hammer?

[Plumb Level]

I've seen a lot of pictures of hammers used to drive the rebar. What hammers are recommended by people that have actually used them? If you can be specific with model number, that would be great.

I had one shop recommend a Bosch 11247 Rotary Hammer which is 10 amp and 5.2 lbs impact energy. Just not sure that is big enough, but anything would be better than swinging a sledge.

Also - what about drills recommended? I thought a rotary Hammer drill would also drill, but it isn't rated to drill in wood, only concrete. Is the Milwaukee Hole Hawg a big enough drill for the job.

[lilbluehonda]

You need a demolition hammer not a rotary hammer and that size Bosch is way too small and the hole hog is more than enough,

[loghousenut]

Demo hammer for pinning logs. The rotary hammer won't have enough "POW" factor. The difference would be like trying to drive a nail by lifting the hammer only 2' as compared to a full swing.

[lilbluehonda]

I was just looking at the Harbor Freight web page and they don't have any demo hammers listed anymore but there are two used ones on Ebay

[StressMan79]

I noticed the same thing. They seem to have been discontinued. Luckily, I already have a couple, and you can get them off of ebay easily enough.

-Peter

[loghousenut]

You might check the store in person. I noticed one the last time I was in about two weeks ago. It is worth snagging if you can. I really used the heck out of mine. SSSOOOOOOOooooo much easier than pounding by hand the way Skip taught us.

[emersonelk]

Thanks for the tip guys.After reading the above,i checked the website myself and found nothing,so i jumped in the truck and went to my harbor freight just a short few minutes drive from work here.They checked their system,and they are indeed being discontinued,the big one and the littler one we use.They had one left so i grabbed it at 139.99.Now all they have left is the display model with no box or bit/accesories.I asked the fellow if that one would be even further discounted and he said yes.I'm thinking about going back tomorrow to low ball an offer.Seems to make sense to have a backup on a build site.The california warehouses do not have any left,so if you are gonna need one even if its for the future, like i did,nows the time to go shopping.Thanks again guys, number 3032 reason why this forum rocks.

[loghousenut]

I hope you are using your 20% off HF coupon. Most any Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Hot Rod, etc magazine has them. Of course they will probably replace it with something else but, to be safe, now might be the perfect time to stop in at your local Harbor Freight and snag the last one or two.

I'd hate to loose the $100 demo hammer option almost as much as I'd hate to go back to pounding rebar by hand.

[dazedandconfused]

Can any one tell me the model number and brand at harbor, i too want to go check it out is there an attachment I also need or should be looking at?

[lilbluehonda]

It's a Chicago Electric 11 Amp. Demolition Hammer Item # 93853

[rreidnauer]

I got an email with a 25% off one item coupon for this Sunday only. I might just have to take a run up to my local store and see if they got one there.

[loghousenut]

Went to the local HF yesterday and they are sold out. Store mgr siad it was a fairly good seller and that he had heard that it was being replaced by similar model. He said it is common practice with HF to keep someone from buying a new tool and returning the 3 year old tool in the new box. I'd still be inclined to buy one if I found one.

[Plumb Level]

Thanks for all the repsponses. I'm now looking at Demo hammers only, and wow, the name brand demo hammers on ebay are selling high. most over $400 for a $600 brand new hammer. Even the Harbor Freight older ones are going pretty high. One just sold for 77 and then you would have 35 shipping, for a total of 122 for what looked to be gently used.

I was by harbor freight in Columbia, mo and they have a 34lb breaker hammer (weight of tool and also impact energy) for $400. model number is 68150. then they also have a Central Machinery Demo hammer, model 68148 for $180. The smaller one weighs 15lb and impacts at 9 ft/lbs of energy.

Does anyone know what kind of impact energy the older orange and white harbor freight's have? if it is around 9lbs and you all have had good luck with it, then I'll just buy the brand new version for $180.

[loghousenut]

New news... The newest HF ad flyer has a new 10 amp demo hammer for $159.99. The 20% coupon will apply. Not online yet but oughta be hitting the brick and mortar stores any time.

[logsurfer]

New news... The newest HF ad flyer has a new 10 amp demo hammer for $159.99. The 20% coupon will apply. Not online yet but oughta be hitting the brick and mortar stores any time.

Is that enough AMP to do the trick? I have a B&M store right down the street from me.

[jimirwin]

I just bought the Chicago Electric demo hammer online; could NOT find it on the regular website; HAD to go thru the flyers:

http://www.harborfreight.com/retail-flyer

There are 3 flyers listed - go to THIS one:

We're Rolling Back Prices
June 1 - June 30

Go to Page 14

I used a 20% discount code 78536406 and got the item for $127.99 plus tax/s&h

From going thru multiple posts; the general consensus is that this product will do what is required of it (driving the rebar into the logs).

Happy Father's Day to me!

[lilbluehonda]

That isn't the one that was talked about,it doesn't look big enough but you can't tell by a picture but the one that was talked about is about the smallest that will work anything lighter won't ,I made the mistake and bought a small one the only thing it's good for is if you get a hard to peal log as long as your careful with it ,it works great for that with the chisel tip

[Timberwolf]

Yeah, the one you want looks like this.

http://thisoldhouse.typepad.com/.a/6...e2bf970c-800wi

[lilbluehonda]

I just looked and there are two on Ebay ,a while back I picked up a spare one on bay for 70 dollars delivered
http://cgi.ebay.com/NAMEBRAND-2-HORS...ht_3344wt_1136

[lilbluehonda]

And just to be clear a Rotary Hammer is not a Demolition Hammer two totally different tools for totally different jobs

[logsurfer]

And just to be clear a Rotary Hammer is not a Demolition Hammer two totally different tools for totally different jobs

So, just to clarify...The 10 amp demo hammer that LHN had mentioned would not be worthy of the Job?? Do you know what AMP of the one you listed on Ebay ??
Is there a special attachment to purchase to fit the rebar of different thickness??

[lilbluehonda]

The ones listed on ebay are 11 Amps but it's how heavy they are that matters also the old Harbor Freight Demo Hammers weigh 25 to 30 Lbs. the only special attachment is a ground rod driver,like I said before the new one doesn't look as heavy but I don't know,I do know that one even a little smaller won't work on some of the tougher logs and when the rebar hit knots I'd have to use a sledge Hammer

[logsurfer]

The ones listed on ebay are 11 Amps but it's how heavy they are that matters also the old Harbor Freight Demo Hammers weigh 25 to 30 Lbs. the only special attachment is a ground rod driver,like I said before the new one doesn't look as heavy but I don't know,I do know that one even a little smaller won't work on some of the tougher logs and when the rebar hit knots I'd have to use a sledge Hammer

Cool, Thanks LBH! That's mighty good info indeed!

[Plumb Level]

I went ahead and bought one of the older Harbor Freight (orange and white) off of ebay from empireliquidators. won it for about 77 or 78, shipping 35. Powered it up and it chisled thru flint like it was limestone! Pretty heavy hammer, not like a 30 pounder, but I'm sure it will wear me out.

Along these line and I started this thread, so I can't hijack myself............Does anyone know of an LHBA member that makes the rebar driver that is shown on the galleries on this site? The dewalt that is pressed apart and then washers are welded at the correct height so the bar drives down flush to the log? I thought i heard from someone that an LHBA member was custom making those for $70 or $80? I don't have a press or a welder, so I would be willing to pay that.

[Scoutman]

I think they mentioned that in class about someone making them.

[Cruiser]

Plumb level, Go to www.mechanicaltransfer.com and you can purchase it there. Ellsworth said in class (as is mentioned in the description) that the cup is press fitted and will "bust" loose in fairly short order most of the time. This will allow you to then drive the rebar flush with the log. $58 on the website.

[Plumb Level]

Thanks - but I don't have the tools to make it from there. don't have the press or a welder. thought there was someone making them to sell to members. Not a member yet, but attending the class in sept.

[Zetmandu]

Plumb level
Form my notes in class Steve or E said the bit Cruiser was referring to would break itself loose and then drive the rebar flush after using it a little while to drive rebar. You shouldnt need any other tools except for the demo hammer itself. Said it might take 15-20 rebar to get it to break loose though