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/6a00d8341cae1553ef0120a67be2bf970c-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-HORSEPOWER-DEMOLITION-HAMMER-93853-/360370857468?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e7c6e5fc#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

[Plumb Level]

Thanks Mark - checked out your blog the other day, looking good!

[merc66rkm]

I get the impression that the Chicago Electric is a low quality product. Is the demo hammer previously mentioned tough enough for building a log house? It seems a couple of hundred $ more for a name brand machine in the grand scheme of things isn't that much more. Thoughts?

[dazedandconfused]

Will this one on ebay do the job

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hitachi-PH65A-H65-1-1-8-Hex-Shank-Demolition-Hammer-/160611517056?pt=Industrial_Hand_Tools&hash=item2565314280

[blane]

I bought a used Chicago demo hammer from a fellow LHBA member for my build and it has done an excellent job on building 2 homes. The previous owner had to replace the switch at a minimal cost. Other than that it will get the job done. I have bought some Harbor Freight tools that were a waste of my money and time but this one is a good buy IMO
I get the impression that the Chicago Electric is a low quality product. Is the demo hammer previously mentioned tough enough for building a log house? It seems a couple of hundred $ more for a name brand machine in the grand scheme of things isn't that much more. Thoughts?

[StressMan79]

one thing to note, "jack hammers" usually use bigger bits than the SDSmax bits that we generally use for rebar. They are also much heavier. They'll pound harder and if using seasoned wood or 5/8ths bar (or both) i'd go with a bigger machine.

[lilbluehonda]

It's not that bad and the other demo hammers you see that are a little more aren't capable of driving rebar it takes a heavy hammer the next closest hammer that is high quality costs hundreds more

[dazedandconfused]

stress and lil blue where you responding to my question above regarding the ebay listing Hitachi PH65A H65 ? Thanks again

[merc66rkm]

Thanks Blane! Just getting started here, and am trying to soak up all the knowledge I can.

[blane]

So, are you signed up for the next class?
Thanks Blane! Just getting started here, and am trying to soak up all the knowledge I can.

[Plumb Level]

Hey Dazed - I tried to buy a couple of those Hitachis of Ebay, but near the last few minutes of the bidding, the price would rise up to several hundred dollars. Same thing happened with some Hilti's and some Bosch's. The Hitachi machine is a brute according to the specs, and hitachi has a good reputation. But like Stressman says, it doesn't take the SDS Max bits like the harbor frieght, take the larger 30mm bits.

[rkissinger]

Hey Dazed - I tried to buy a couple of those Hitachis of Ebay, but near the last few minutes of the bidding, the price would rise up to several hundred dollars. Same thing happened with some Hilti's and some Bosch's. The Hitachi machine is a brute according to the specs, and hitachi has a good reputation. But like Stressman says, it doesn't take the SDS Max bits like the harbor frieght, take the larger 30mm bits. I have recently been shopping for demo hammers also. I picked up a used Harbor Freight on Ebay for about $45 + $25 shipping, I also got one on Craig's list for $75. Theses are the orange ones that are discontinued from Harbor Freight. They have replaced them with new models. They now have 3 sizes of demo hammer, small, medium, and large. The medium is similar to the old model and it goes for about $350. Everyone should call your nearest Harbor Freight and check if they have any of the discontinued ones left, Model 93853, they dropped the price to $70-something bucks, but I don't think there are many left. I couldn't find one in any of the stores I called. On Ebay there is a steady stream of returned ones from Empire Liquidators, they seem to be going from about $50-$80 + shipping. That's where I got mine, I haven't pounded anything with it, but I have turned it on and it goes brrbrbrrbrbr. They definitely are inferior to the name brand tools, but for $75 I'm going to take my chances, I think between the two of them I should get the job done. I have also learned that the Dewalt driving bit (the two piece one) comes in SDS size and the 3/4" hex size, but the 1 1/8 hex bit is a one piece. So you can get a larger hammer and still get the same bit. The sds bit is model DW5847, but I think they are phasing it out and making a new 1 piece bit. I've noticed it for sale with the same model number.

[merc66rkm]

Yep. Heading to Vegas in September. Hope to get a well and power on our place in the next few years. Paying as we go...

[Mosseyme]

We got nervous about getting a HF demmo hammer when we saw that they had been discontinued, so when we went to the store and they had the display model left I bought it and ordered a power cord since they had cut it off. Paid to much for it. Then I started seeing them on EBay and picked one up for $37 plus shipping. Then last week I was brousing craigslist and saw a month old listing of one that was In excellent conditions so I went and bought it for $60. So I guess we are good for hammers but may need another Hole Hawg. Also need advice on what kind of nail gun is best for doing the chinking nails.

[Sheepdog419]

As of August 2019:

https://www.harborfreight.com/125-amp-sds-max-type-pro-demolition-hammer-kit-63437.html

[Shark]

There is one at home Depot for a bit over$100 now.

[MPeterson1020]

As of August 2019:

https://www.harborfreight.com/125-amp-sds-max-type-pro-demolition-hammer-kit-63437.html

So a 12.5 amp will do the job?

[John17three]

So a 12.5 amp will do the job?

That link has two different models pictured for the same listing. 15 amps would be better, but those units are much heavier. Jwhitehead23 recently purchased the one you linked, but it was the one pictured with the square casing, NOT the one with the more formed/aerodynamic look to it. It seems to work nicely. His logs were large, green yellow pine.

[dgrover13]

This is the one you'd want from HF.

https://www.harborfreight.com/15-Amp-35-lb-Pro-Demolition-Hammer-Kit-64277.html

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[DoubleJRanch]

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

Amazon had them, fairly reasonable, the big names like De Walt etc are pricey. But there is a few harbor freight grade ones I would consider. In fact, I have one in my cart.
Look under demolition or jackhammer

I think a good one for 200-300 mark, they have them for 100-150, not sure I'd trust them.

[rawson]

Amazon had them, fairly reasonable, the big names like De Walt etc are pricey. But there is a few harbor freight grade ones I would consider. In fact, I have one in my cart.
Look under demolition or jackhammer

I think a good one for 200-300 mark, they have them for 100-150, not sure I'd trust them.

I bought one of the $150.00 demo hammers now years ago off Amazon. Came with 2-bits, also bought the spade bit. Took the advise from others to remove all screws, coat the threads with lock tight and tor-ck em tight. Did that. Also recommended replacing the electrical cord, did not do that no problems with the cord or the hammer. Got plenty of use out of the spade bit for all kinds of digging assistance. Concrete demo's a bunch of that. Cut the point off of one bit, attached hydraulic hose to the end of the bit to drive rebar pins into the beams for a modest post and beam addition add-on. Never had a performance problem with it. It gets a-lot of use and still in service. It was a gamble buying it as with most purchases it is a decision and budget constraints to boggle ones mind with.

[DoubleJRanch]

This is the one I ordered. https://www.trindustrial.com/products/demolition/tr89305/

Looks like 13 amps. I got the series 300. It came with a point and chisel, I ordered the rebar bit too.

OK, just showed up today, what an absolute beast. 35lbs, It didnt look that big. ;). OK, rebar/ground rod tool coming later. Good news, it comes in a nice case that rolls, has wheels on one end like luggage.

This is not a practical unit to take up on top of a log wall, its more the size of a real jackhammer. A 10-20lb unit would be a better fit. I am going to look into a smaller unit. This would be perfect for digging footers and removing any rocks you may encounter.
4194
https://www.trindustrial.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Product_Thumbnails_TR89305_5.jpg

Way too big, so also ordered this one.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61DBqb-EHNL._AC_SL1200_.jpg

Amazon for under $100 bucks.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1ID6CX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Much more manageable for up on a log wall.