serious power tool

RobertN · Nov 24, 2002

Finally broke down and got a Makita Demo Hammer. Was trying to get out old fence posts and concrete where I could not get the tractor to. That electric jack hammer is a lot faster than a rock bar!

I got the 1500 series. I have used a friends older Makita a lot, so I stayed with the same brand. Robert has really put his through it's paces, and it's lasted well.

Here in the foothills, it is about impossible to dig a hole without running into rocks. During the summer, it works real nice when using a spade bit to dig this hard clay up; used them a lot while forming up for concrete.

Now, I'm only limited by the super-duty extension cord. I think a generator might be next...

BigDave · Nov 25, 2002

<font color=blue> it is about impossible to dig a hole without running into rocks </font color=blue>

You mean I could have bought a power tool that will break rocks...I've been using a pick-axe all of this time. Don't worry it's not too bad, the wife usually lets me take a break after I drop to my knees and swing the axe a last couple times just before complete exhaustion. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

What does something like that cost? I assume that's not something they sell at Home Depot. Please give us an updated after you have broken it in.

Harv · Nov 25, 2002

As you know, Robert, my property is them same foothills as you, with the same dang-blasted rocks. I can't even sink a T-post without running in to those annoyinng li'l buggers.

My solution was similar to yours, except instead of buying the electric jackhammer, I hired a live-in caretaker who just happens to have one. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

JATO_RaT · Nov 25, 2002

Robert, Harv, here I am just a few miles north of you guys, at least Robert and I don't have that situation. My soil is pretty much a mixture of decomposed granite and top soil. It is great for working particularly when moist. Robert, the idea of a generator is a good idea. As you know, the length of cord will quickly drop the voltage and the higer the current or amp requirement of the tool, the more severe it gets. Even a #10 cord will quickly drop the voltage after a few hundred feet. I've used the Bosch many times and would expect the Makita to perform equally as well.
I'm familiar with your soil. Besides building 2 homes in rescue, my dad purchased 40 acres just off Bass Lake road. It was up at the top of the highest hill and had a great East/West view. We split it into 4, 10 acre parcels and sold them back in the 70's. I had to go around and put posts in the ground to show the various parcels and found many rocks. I wonder what that land would be worth today? He bought it for $36,000 for 40 acres in 1972. Rat

wroughtn_harv · Nov 25, 2002

What you need with that little hammer now is a long chisel bit. Say about six feet.

I'm serious. I have two bits for chipping hammers. One is six feet long and the other is seven. You can't even begin to imagine how much easier it is to chip away holding the hammer at chest or waist height versus standing on your head to get the hole deep enough.

I'm sure they make an adaptor for driving T posts. If they don't then I'd suggest taking an old bit and making an adaptor out of it.

Another great addition for your tool is a blacksmith buddy. A blacksmith can reshape and resharpen bits, even make adaptors.

Most folks just take a grinder to a bit for sharpening. The edge lasts no time or less. But a decent smith will heat and hammer the new point and then retemper it. It will be harder than a bad girl's heart when the rent's due.

I have a Hilti TE75. I don't use it often but when it's needed nothing can replace it.

ScottAR · Nov 25, 2002

Actually, the local box store (not HD) has 4-5 Bosch units on the floor all the time. I drool a little when I go past. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

RobertN · Nov 25, 2002

Actually Home Depot caries a couple demo hammers. They had Makita, Hitachi, and Bosch. They run $600-$675, with a pointed bit(not sure what you really call the types of bits...)

I went with the Makita, based on expierience with an older model. My buddy has had it for at least ten years, and got it used at that. That demo hammer has seen some serious use and abuse. It has held up great.

I have done the rock bar lots of times. We're starting a little landscape business up here, so we figured the business would use it a lot.

They are real handy even just in dirt, when using a spade bit. The clay around here gets downright stubborn in the summer...

RobertN · Nov 25, 2002

Rat, I have friends that live a mile away. They had a lot of grading done last summer. The dozer came across one football sized rock...

The IR losses across extension cords can burn up a motor fast. That's why I like the idea of a generator.

That Bass Lake area has some big tracts going in. I'm guestimating $75-90k for a residential lot.

RobertN · Nov 25, 2002

It's amazing what a "Smith can do. It's also amazing how fast you can take temper out of steel when using a grinder...

T-posts... I got this funky old weight box on rails that's raised by hydraulic that drives t-posts. I need a longer cylinder than my top link cylinder though...