FERM - is this too good to be true?

[agulesin]

Looking for a reliable SDS or semi-pro hammer drill. Saw this on Amazon, anyone got an opinion?

http://amzn.to/TsEx1W "FERM FBH-1500 Combi Hammer, Chisel Hammer, Hammer Drill"

(Read some other comments on FERM elsewhere in the forum but from 2007. Want an up-to-date opinion please!)

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Save yourself the grief, pay a wee bit more and get a reputable branded tool like the Makita HR2450 or the Ryobi EHR710. They'll last longer and being under 3kg in weight they won't rip your shoulders off if you ever need to drill above your head, at the top of a ladder, etc (the Ferm is a massive 8kg ).

Conventional 2kg/3-function SDS drills are used by many tradesmen being a good compromise between weight and oerformance, especially if you need to do a lot of drilling. I currently use a Bosch GBH2400, but I've used Makitas many times (no complaints) and I had a Ryobi EHR650 for 3 years (in trade use) after a previous drill went walkabout. It went to a matue last year after I'd bought a cordless SDS as well and he had his drill stolen on a job. Like me he's a chippie and the drill is still in daily use

 

[agulesin]

Save yourself the grief, pay a wee bit more and get a reputable branded tool like the Makita HR2450

Thanks for that Job&; got a Makita HR2470 but I think it's a copy as it's "Made in PRC" and smells very plasticy. Anyway, it does the job and after years using "chuck" drills it's a pleasure to use an SDS.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

got a Makita HR2470 but I think it's a copy as it's "Made in PRC" and smells very plasticy.

Probably not a knock-off. Makita have at least one factory in PRC, as have many other big name makes (e.g. deWalt). The knock-offs I've seen seem to avoid the "Made in PRC" on the rating plate.

have to agree with you about SDS over impact drills - once you've had a decent lightweight SDS you won't want to go back to an impact for drilling masonry - much, much quicker