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Topic Date User

Bosch 36V 3 mode SDS Plus Cordless Li-Ion Rotary H 17-Feb-2011 At 5:14:46 AM Tommo

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On 16/02/2011 jay590 wrote:
>are the 18V makita rotary hammer drills any good. Ive already got makita
>18v drill and impact for work so only need the skin which is about $250.
>Is it worth it or am i better off with something else?

I have the 18v Li-ion Makita rotary hammer, and used it a lot in Blueys sandstone. Light and cheap, but at 18v means less holes, obviously. About 12 x 12mm holes at about 100mm depth (which means only about 6 u-bolts). With 2 batteries I could get a pitch done unless it was especially long. I now have a 18v Makita drill/driver as well, so when I return to the Blueys one day I will have 4 batteries to use, which will be nice.

If you already have the batteries, I would say the skin at $250 is an awesome plan - you simply won't do better for your money. If you have plans for longer pitches/multipitches/remote crags/crags far from home, then the full kit (drill + 2 batteries) at around $700 would get you 4 batteries and maybe 25 holes, but then we are closer to the price range of the big drills.

I really like my Makita rotary though. Overall, I'd go that way again I think. Also, a small, cheap 12v acc. outlet inverter for the car is an option, for a quick recharge at the car over lunch (if the walk isn't far). The modern chargers are incredibly fast and high-tech, and the Makita even blows air through the batteries to keep them cool.