PDC Vs corded hammer opinions

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Hi!

A percussion drill like the PDC is not meant to drill into concrete, let alone reinforced concrete. It's for drilling masonry and most of the time, thanks to the CE-Stone drill bits and the 3800 rpm you won't even need to turn the percussion mode on. The percussion is great for hard but rather brittle materials to minimize damage - where a rotary hammer would simply be too powerful and cause a lot of "collateral damage".

Quite a couple of modern masonry/materials even must not be drilled by using any type of percussion/hammering mode because it would cause too much damage inside the bricks (with hollow chambers) i.e.

If it's concrete or reinforced concrete - use a rotary hammer. Don't torture a percussion drill through it, it will simply die at some point - nothing gained except a few holes - that would have been drilled better and faster with the right tool.

--

6" hole saw will kill the PDC. I've taken mine up to 2.5" (6X mm) in 0.7" thick, massive, oak hardwood flooring, that works if you "listen" to the drill and have a feel for what you are doing. I don't see myself using the PDC for larger hole saws - there are way more suited/ speciality drills for that.

Kind regards,
Oliver

For what it’s worth on the Festool USA web site it says that the PDC is designed to “blast through concrete”. From my experience it’s not a good hammer drill/ percussion drill.  Every other high end cordless brand that offers a “hammer drill” can drill through concrete.  It’s still a great drill but I don’t use the hammer/precusion mode bc it’s worth less. 

 

[Sanderxpander]

Unless the concrete is very new/soft, a rotary hammer will always do much, much better than a hammer drill. The percussion force of most hammer drills is something like 0.1 joules per hit, where the most basic rotary hammer has at least 1.0 and usually much more.

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

A percussion drill like the PDC is not meant to drill into concrete, let alone reinforced concrete. It's for drilling masonry and most of the time, thanks to the CE-Stone drill bits and the 3800 rpm you won't even need to turn the percussion mode on. The percussion is great for hard but rather brittle materials to minimize damage - where a rotary hammer would simply be too powerful and cause a lot of "collateral damage".

Quite a couple of modern masonry/materials even must not be drilled by using any type of percussion/hammering mode because it would cause too much damage inside the bricks (with hollow chambers) i.e.

If it's concrete or reinforced concrete - use a rotary hammer. Don't torture a percussion drill through it, it will simply die at some point - nothing gained except a few holes - that would have been drilled better and faster with the right tool.

--

6" hole saw will kill the PDC. I've taken mine up to 2.5" (6X mm) in 0.7" thick, massive, oak hardwood flooring, that works if you "listen" to the drill and have a feel for what you are doing. I don't see myself using the PDC for larger hole saws - there are way more suited/ speciality drills for that.

Kind regards,
Oliver

For what it’s worth on the Festool USA web site it says that the PDC is designed to “blast through concrete”. From my experience it’s not a good hammer drill/ percussion drill.  Every other high end cordless brand that offers a “hammer drill” can drill through concrete.  It’s still a great drill but I don’t use the hammer/precusion mode bc it’s worth less.

Thanks, I re-checked websites (US) and manuals (US/DE), and now it also clearly lists concrete ... Only on the German website it's still masonry.

Then I have nothing more to say than good luck to Festool's warranty department.

I don't need to understand everything, going back to bed.  [smile]

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[six-point socket II]

Guess they need to amend this PDC accompanying document as well then.

"Additionally we generally (in principle) recommend the BHC 18 for drilling into concrete"

Now, really back to bed.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Bernmc]

Result. Cheap SDS drill (AU$119/US$85) makes easy work of big holes.

I'll have to paint it green...!

SDS hole saw

One day it might be a BHC

 

[jasen]

@Bernmac

I have the same drill for at least 10 years. I use it very infrequently and originally bought for taking tiles off the floor with the supplied hammer/chisel bit - worked a treat. It was cheaper than hiring one for the weekend back then. I paid $89 on special at the time LOL

Heavy & cumbersome but thats all i need around the house for our brick home. Kanga SDS drill bits havent missed a beat.

 

[leakyroof]

Result. Cheap SDS drill (AU$119/US$85) makes easy work of big holes.

I'll have to paint it green...!

SDS hole saw

One day it might be a BHC

. Very Nice

 

[Bernmc]

[member=61072]jasen[/member] - it’s a bit of a monster, isn’t it. No finesse, and two settings: off, and Beast Mode!

Mine’ll also come out infrequently -when I need to take a nuclear missile to a knife fight

 

[jarbroen]

If you guys are drilling big holes in 12mm ply why not use a router with a circle jig like the Jasper?  It uses a 1/4" router bit and maybe you'd need two spins around for 12mm but it still goes quickly.  And no worry about breaking your wrist... lol

And I agree if you need something for drilling concrete just get a corded rotary hammer.  I have a Makita SDS that was under $200 and it works great for holes in concrete.  Plus, the ability to use it for chiseling/breaking concrete is handy.

Right tools for the jobs.   Makes work so much easier

 

[Bernmc]

If you guys are drilling big holes in 12mm ply why not use a router with a circle jig like the Jasper?  It uses a 1/4" router bit and maybe you'd need two spins around for 12mm but it still goes quickly.  And no worry about breaking your wrist... lol

Clever little jig - I didn't know they existed. The big holes are actually setting up the template for routing various bits of the Paulk workbench... so using a jig to set up a jig... the universe will implode!

I'll see what's available here in Aus

 

[RussellS]

Yes, Yes, Yes to those advocating using a rotary hammer SDS drill for drilling holes in concrete.  I have a 1 inch Makita rotary hammer SDS drill.  Cost around $200 and I got a free Makita grinder.  I use it frequently for Tapcon screws to attach electrical boxes and conduit to basement walls.  Drills through concrete like my good drill bits go through wood.  Its easy to drill into concrete with a rotary hammer SDS drill.

 

[jarbroen]

If you guys are drilling big holes in 12mm ply why not use a router with a circle jig like the Jasper?  It uses a 1/4" router bit and maybe you'd need two spins around for 12mm but it still goes quickly.  And no worry about breaking your wrist... lol

Clever little jig - I didn't know they existed. The big holes are actually setting up the template for routing various bits of the Paulk workbench... so using a jig to set up a jig... the universe will implode!

I'll see what's available here in Aus

I did a bunch of research on cutting holes before I built a DIY speaker setup.  By far one of the easiest and most accurate ways.
I have the Jasper 200.  It will do as small as 2 1/4 up to 18" holes.  Adjustable in 1/16" increments.  You just drill a center hole for the pin and away you go.
Maybe they have a metric version for the rest of the world.

*edit - found an Australian audio supplier who has it.http://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/p/Jasper-Jig-240/Jasper+Tools+Circle+Jig+Model+240