|
I rented several times, don't the money to buy it but I would if I had the money.
If you are like me, and have an occasional demo job to do in order to move a drain, or tear up a bathroom, it's fine.But this is an expensive thing to have around: it takes up plenty of space, it operates as if it's a real jackhammer (it's big) but it does NOT have close to the breaking power of a pneumatic device, so be forewarned.As a good alternative, you might try renting a Hilti 905. Find a guy who is used to breaking concrete and see if you can make an arrangement with him to be a pair of hands and get him in economically, if that's your deal.If your concrete is an outside job, just bring in a skidsteer or rent a bobcat: this guy isn't about that.Remember you are likely going to be facing rebar, and this guy doesn't like rebar. This tool has to be the whole arsenal for you. The Hilti let's you get more "down" on your project.If you have a basement floor to tear up, or something outside, don't think you have to do everything yourself.
All in all, I can't find any negatives to this tool - definitely worth the price. Just don't get too zealous with the digging because you'll soon be so deep into the soil that it's hard to get the machine back out. If you get the clay spade attachment, it works great for digging into hard soil. I can drive an 8' ground rod in thirty seconds with this thing. I bought the Brute to jack up a bunch of concrete slabs - but it has come in handy for a ton of other uses. It works great for jacking up cement - plows through a 4" slab like nothing. If you have ground rods to drive, or want to plant a bunch of re-bar deep into the ground, definitely get the ground rod attachment.
Since I bought this hammer, I can go out into the yard and bust concrete whenever I want. Home Depot rents this same hammer for $76 a day or $240 a week, but I really don't like renting tools - I feel pressured to hurry up an get the job done and get the tool back to the store. Even took out my 2' x 2' x 2' solid concrete with rebar foundations for some posts.It weighs about 60 lbs so it can get a little heavy if your not use to it. It turned out the guy really didn't know what he was doing. Again, the unit with the spade attached is getting up there in weight, but it sure chews throught the dirt and rock.Once I am done with my project, I think I can sell it (if I want) for a pretty reasonable price, and recover most of my money - after all, they are considered "rental quality" I have been real impressed with Bosch and will continure to buy their products Plus you have to work your ass off to get the job done in time.
I also bought the clay spade for digging out some new foundations. I am a homeowner in S Cal, and we hired a contractor for some backyard improvements. I got estimates of $3,600 to demo and remove his "work" and at that price I thought about doing it myself. It chews through 6" concrete fairly easily - the hammer does most of the work.
I know the one reviewer said it doesnt have the balls of a pneumatic but a pneumatic will cost you ten grand and you have to be able to get the heavy compressor near the job which can be a pain in the ass. I guess its sick when you say $1450 is cheap but in the demolition business nothing that works well and last is cheap so you learn to appreciate quality tools that allways start and thats was this hammer does I use t his breaker every day from digging to breaking up old concrete footer and it always gets the job i'v had it for over a year and havent had to service it yet I imagine its getting near that time but it has plenty of power to bust upsmaller portions(less than 2 yards of 3500 psi) concrete its also gtreat for bustin through shale and rock whilk digging. I still use the pnuematic when i have alot of concrete to bust up or if it really hard 6000psi fiber reinforced stuff but for most smaller jobs this has more than enough power and the price ir right.
|
