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Dutch
Trad climber
pdx
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Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 21, 2010 - 07:28pm PT
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I'm looking to purchase a hand drill. Anybody used the Fixe drill? Any recommendations? Brands to avoid?
Thanks
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Apr 21, 2010 - 07:38pm PT
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rocpec is light and short and takes an SDS bit with the collette, but the same collette can pinch. use climbing tape to prevent the pinch.
what you really need is a shorty 3/8" bit for any drill that is longer, assuming stance or hook drilling.
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Greg Barnes
climber
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Apr 21, 2010 - 08:19pm PT
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The Rocpec is light and quick to change bits, overall great except for people with big hands - and except for the fact that it pinches your hand unless you tape it (which then makes changing drill bits slower). The Fixe is big, beefy, and great for big hands - but it's probably 3 times the weight of the Petzl (don't know the exact weight but it is very heavy). The Pika is still available some places (Mountain Tools has it), and it's also good for bigger hands, but it was infamous for the tightening screws always loosening up.
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Minerals
Social climber
The Deli
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Apr 21, 2010 - 08:46pm PT
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A Hurricane, if you can find one.
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=1024821
According to an Ebay seller, the Fixe drill weighs 400 grams. Mountain Gear lists the Petzl Rocpec at 198 grams.
Fixe hand drill:
http://www.fixeusa.com/rock_drills_hand.htm
Greg, have you seen one of the Fixe drills yet? According to the Fixe website, the SDS bit is secured by two allen screws. I wonder if the drill will have the same problem that the Pika drill has. But 46 bucks seems like a deal for a new hand drill.
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Slakkey
Big Wall climber
From Back to Big Wall Baby
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Apr 21, 2010 - 09:12pm PT
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hurricane for sure if you can find one or get someone to part with theirs. However Rocpec more than likely your best option. I too noticed the way the bit is secured on the Fixe Drill.
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Greg Barnes
climber
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Apr 21, 2010 - 09:19pm PT
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We got one for a rebolter who wanted one - so I just saw it for a short bit before sending it out. It sure seemed more than twice the weight of the Petzl, but it was very well built - heavy duty and beefy, looked like you could batter it to death with no problem. And it looks like you could miss the head and not smash your hand - a really bomber hand protector.
I have no idea on the screws loosening with use.
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Spider Savage
Mountain climber
SoCal
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Apr 21, 2010 - 10:30pm PT
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Love my Rawl. Fortunately I have two. I don't know where to get them anymore.
Watch out for SDS holders that loosen up and the bit falls out when you're hammering.
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dustonian
climber
RRG
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Apr 21, 2010 - 10:32pm PT
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Do NOT buy the Fixe drill... major POS and super heavy too. To change a bit is major operation involving an allan key and everything... retarded!!
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Greg Barnes
climber
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Apr 21, 2010 - 10:57pm PT
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That's the same as the Pika.
The Hurricane requires 2 wrenches, you'd probably think that it was retarded as well.
And those are easy compared to the old drift pins...
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Minerals
Social climber
The Deli
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Apr 21, 2010 - 11:25pm PT
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Thanks Greg and Dustonian.
For $46, it seems like the Fixe drill would be a good non-lead/loaner practice drill that is worthy of taking some abuse. It certainly is no Hurricane, but might be a good addition/back-up for those who already have a solid bolt kit setup or for those that don’t want to do a lot of bolting. You just have to buy some Loctite with the money that you saved.
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Apr 22, 2010 - 03:55am PT
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Petzl for lead bolts, fast and light. I put around a hundred bolts on it before it broke.
Just bought a hurricane, best workmanship climbing will ever see in the way of drills. Option of different style bits is a plus.
Picked up a Pika, placed 1 bolt. Immediately retired it. Great feel but man, Big design flaw in the set screws.
Fixe looks like a great rebolt drill, as long as were not talking about set screws again.
Mucci
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rick d
climber
ol pueblo, az
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Apr 22, 2010 - 10:10am PT
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greg b-
...unless you have Leeper drift pins! Ed sold me 10 in 1989 which I have given out all but 3 which are still in use. Unlike the other pins, I have knocked out a bit 100's of times w/o deforming the drift. Ed Leeper, you are a genius!
I have 3 #14 handles, 2 in use (one is reallllly short, and the third w/ rubber grip is unused.
As I found and Ed Leeper confirmed, some of the Rawls handles were not made correctly and bits would not be able to be driven out. When Leeper sold drill kits he had 10% waste because the handles he bought from Rawl were out of spec.
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For modern units, if there were only a short 3/8" SDS bit I would be happier. I have found that the 3/8" straight flute 5.10 steel bits (when they don't break) can drill 30% faster in sandstone than any carbide tip with a cleaner hole and are easier to modify to baby angle placements.
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Dutch
Trad climber
pdx
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 22, 2010 - 10:54am PT
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Thanks for all the good info. I am definitely leaning towards the Rocpec. I read a review whose author was concerned about the durability. I sounds like its not an issue though. Right? Has anyone beat one to death?
Thanks
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Apr 22, 2010 - 01:57pm PT
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Where can get the bits for the #14 handles? Link please?
thanks
ps, I have a bit stuck in a Rawl handle right now, though it was my fault. Any ideas how to get it out? The drift pin won't touch it.
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Tork
climber
Yosemite
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Apr 22, 2010 - 02:54pm PT
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I guess Mucci wasn't to bummed when his Petzl drill broke on me. I'm just glad it wasn't on the previous pitch. Eh Mucci?
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Apr 22, 2010 - 03:37pm PT
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^^^HA!
Man, would have been a nightmare! Though you could have held that stance overnight.
KNOTT!
That petzl drill, after the collet explodes, turns out to be a better drill.
A little duct tape to hold the bit in, and it works way better for the serious carving.
mucci
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EdBannister
Mountain climber
CA
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Apr 22, 2010 - 04:02pm PT
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Bosch Bulldog
fits in one hand,
about two more holes per battery with Hilti bits.
edit: i laugh as i post , but ho man i can hear the flames a comin.
truth is, I'd rather fall on or belay from a 1/2 inch by 3 3/4ths
stainless steel bolt, than from a 5/16ths rawl whacked in by hand.
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Apr 22, 2010 - 04:17pm PT
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ED- Blatant Trolling! :)
Then you wouldn't have the pleasure of drilling a 2" hole over a period of 1.5 hours, cheating death every second.
Mucci
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