Looking for hammer drill with non rotation feature

Paddy · Nov 30, 2015

Hello,

I'm looking for a small hammer drill but has the ability to operate in jack hammer/demo mode, i.e., no rotation. I have a monster Hitachi with spline bits. It operates in both rotation and with out. It is an amazing drill that will drill a 3/4 hole through 8 in on concrete in 30 seconds!

But what I'm needing it for is to use it as an alternative to a stone carvers small pneumatic air hammer. The pneumatic hammer versions are expensive and use a lot of air. I just don't have a big enough compressor either. For really tight places I use an engraver with a 1/8 in flat tip. It was made for grout removal between tiles. I'm looking for something similar but larger.

A few months back, i saw a reference on a stone carvers blog for a 1980's Black and Decker 3/8 in or 1/2 in hammer drill model that had the non rotation feature. I even saw one on Ebay pretty cheep.

Anyone know of a small hammer drill with non rotation? Or know where I can find the Black and Decker model number?

ray66v · Nov 30, 2015

A small auto body air chisel, does not use a lot of air.

You could run it on low air pressure, or shorten the length of the piston, to make it hit softer if you needed.

The Chinese ones go on sale for almost nothing, why not get one, and experiment with it?

I have not seen a small, hammer only, electric tool.

I have done some stone carving, but not any material hard enough to need power tools.

Paddy · Nov 30, 2015

Ray66,

I have seen these, I know my compressor will run non stop though. Low cost investment though

LD1 · Nov 30, 2015

Is something like this too big 10 Amp Heavy Duty Professional Demolition Hammer

Paddy · Nov 30, 2015

LD1,

Yes, way to big. As I mentioned above, I have a large hammer drill. Looking for something a bit larger than an engraver. I did find a Skill X TRA 599. Its still bigger than I could wish for.

4570Man · Nov 30, 2015

A cheap air chisel will be your best option. A small air chisel can out hit a hammer drill that weighs 5 times as much. A heavy duty portable air compressor can run one, just not very long at a time.

dfkrug · Nov 30, 2015

ray66v said:
The Chinese ones go on sale for almost nothing, why not get one, and experiment with it?

I have not seen a small, hammer only, electric tool.

If you mean a Chinese electric roto-hammer with the non-rotation option, I would be all
for buying one from HarborFright if you don't plan on long-term professional use.

My Bosch Bulldog SDS rotohammer is small and very capable, and I paid only $100 to
buy it in like-new condition. You can switch it into one of 3 modes: roto-hammer,
roto-only, or hammer-only. The only downside is you have to buy SDS bits.

Just checked the HF website, and this one seems to be a close copy of the Bosch Bulldog:
1 in. 7.3 Amp Heavy Duty SDS Variable Speed Rotary Hammer $72 currently

CDN Farm Boy · Nov 30, 2015

I've got a Metabo KHE 24 that has a chisel only feature. It's no larger than a standard 1/2" hammer drill. Uses SDS shank drills and chisels. Love that thing. Cooked the motor in it last summer but beat the snot out of it for 15yrs first. Haven't looked into repairing it yet but it paid for itself the first job I did.

PILOON · Nov 30, 2015

As a tool nut I suggest an automotive 'zip gun' *(even cheap offshore type) and modified tool ends.
Most ends can be re ground to suit your needs or again cut the shanks and weld on whatever tip you you wish to use.
One advantage is the compactness of the air tool vs anything electric can ever be.
Also air tools are far more trouble free. A bit of oil from time to time and they last forever.
All air tools use a common 401 shank so the choices of bits (ends) is vast.
Check aviation supply** houses as the A/C rivet tools are lower in the BPMs but also use the 401 shank.

I personally have experimented with success.

*an on line regulator will help control the BPMs. (blows per min)
** Sporty aviation is one source.

Paddy · Dec 1, 2015

All,

Thanks for the suggestions. You ever want/need a tool that makes you wonder, "why don't they make that?". I often want a tool that is in between what is available. Like, Dremal vs. router. I use a Roto-Zip as a router for carving limestone. Standard wood bit work great, for a while. The wire base pretty limited.

So when it comes to electric impact, the range is very large. Small engraver modified to remove grout,

Hyde-Tools | For a better finish, start with Hyde.

or larger hammer drills. Something twice as robust as the grout removal would fit the bill for what I do. Fine detail stone carving.

I carve stone relief panels and they are fragile because they can be as thin as 1/2" thick, 16 " by 16". I work with as thick as 2" slabs as well, but in any case I must be very careful not to crack the stone.