Tool Box Buzz

World of Concrete 2020 – Hilti Tools

Hilti Tools is one of the largest exhibitors at World of Concrete each year and we spent some time in their exhibit checking out new tools for 2020. They introduced 40 new products this year at the show from new tools to new fastening products. This overview will include some of the exciting new tools we found at the show this year.

Cordless Breaker

Clearly the biggest announcement from Hilti this year was there all new Cordless Breaker, the TE 500-A36. While they are claiming it’s the World’s first cordless breaker, it seems both Milwaukee with their MX Breaker and Hilti are making claims to that title, although the two tools are drastically different. The good news for all of us in the trenches is we’ve got many more cordless breaking options coming soon with the announcement of these two new tools.

Powered by a 36-volt 9.0 ah lithium-ion battery and a high efficiency brushless motor. The tool includes Hilti’s exclusive Active Vibration Reduction (AVR) technology, which reduces the tool’s triaxial vibration over 30% compared to the competition and helps keep contractors productive. Couple it with the VC 75-A22 cordless backpack vacuum system for an OSHA compliant virtually dustless solution that allows users to fully cut the cord.

The new TE 500-A36 is available now and starts at $829 for the bare tool.

Technical Data

• Rated voltage: 36V
• Weight in accordance with EPTA Procedure 01: 17.4 lb
• Triaxial vibration value for chiseling into concrete: 6.7 m/s²
• Single impact energy: 5.8 ft-lbs
• Full hammering frequency: 3300 impacts/minute
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 21.4 x 4.6 x 10.1 in

Updated 12V Lineup

Advancements in battery technology and brushless motors have given many tool companies the ability to introduce new 12V compact cordless tools able to perform a wide range of daily tasks on the job site. Hilti has introduced a re-designed set of 12V drills anchored on a new 12V battery pack that uses the latest 21700 li-ion cells.

With enhancements made for improving the number of applications completed per day, the 12V cordless impact driver SID 2-A12, cordless screwdriver SFD 2-A12 and cordless hammer drill driver SF 2H-A12 are built to last. They feature brushless motors and up to 50% more work per charge when combined with the new B12V 4.0 Ah battery. Keeping comfort in mind, the designs boast a compact and ergonomic grip, helping reduce fatigue on the Jobsite. Engineered for pre-fabrication work and finishing work, this tool family is the perfect addition to your toolbox for drilling holes or controlled fastening.

We tested both the drill driver and the impact driver and were very impressed with the power and more importantly the ergonomics (grip and balance). Having up to 50% more work time available is a huge improvement over the older models.

Updated 22V Lineup

New Cordless Jigsaw

Last year Hilti introduced a new 22V top handle jigsaw and it’s been a big hit. This year they introduced an all-new 22V barrel grip jigsaw. The SJT 6-A22 is a powerful and well-balanced jigsaw. This is a very fast cutting jigsaw with three levels of orbital action.

Features

• Stroke: 1-3/32″
• Blade Speed: 3,000 SPM
• Max Bevel Angle: 45 °
• Max Cutting Depth (Aluminum): 0.98″
• Max Cutting Depth (Mild Steel): 0.39″
• Max Cutting Depth (Wood): 5.91″
• Keyless Blade Change
• LED Light
• Dust blower

This is an impressive jigsaw to say the least. Being designed to cut both wood and metal results in a very powerful saw. In the photo above you can see some 2x material that we basically scroll cut very quickly and the saw just chewed through the material and held the blade vertical easily. Definitely a saw worth looking into! It’s available now and runs $227 for the bare tool.

Updated Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill

Another update shown this year was the SF 6H-A22 1/2″ Hammer Drill. This drill is extremely powerful yet not overly large and bulky. We tested it out using a 3/4″ spade bit in Douglas Fir drilling holes in both speeds 1 and 2! This thing is a beast for sure and runs on their 22V battery line. The drill also includes Active Torque Control and electronic clutch which is a great safety feature to help prevent wrist injuries due to the binding of the drill.

Features Include:

• Hammer drilling in diameters up to 1/2″ in brick, masonry, and aerated concrete
• Hammer drilling in diameters up to 14 mm in brick, masonry, sand-lime block and aerated concrete
• Drilling with auger and spade bits up to 1 1/2″ diameter in wood
• Drilling with auger and spade bits up to 32 mm diameter in wood
• Cutting recesses and through-holes with hole saws up to 5″ diameter
• Starts at $139 for the bare tool

Cordless Metal Cutting Solutions

Hilti also introduced two new metal cutting solutions with a cordless shear and metal nibbler. The double-cut cordless shear SSH 6-A22 and the cordless metal nibbler SPN 6-A22. Both are available now and start at $499 for the bare tool.

SSH 6-A22 Metal Shear Features

• Brushless Motor
• Keyless Blade Change
• Five Different Blades
• Lock-on Switch
• Cutting Metal Sheets up to 13 Ga
• Cutting Spiral Duct 4x 20 Ga
• Cutting Stainless Steel up to 16 Ga

SPN 6-A22 Metal Nibbler Features

• Brushless Motor
• Speed: 620-1,370 SPM
• Three Different Interchangeable Heads (cut sheet, corrugated, trapezoidal and profiled metal)
• Virtually no sparks
• Cut up to 14 Ga

Expanded Metal Working Portfolio

Hilti also introduced three new cordless metalworking tools including: cordless belt sander GTB 6X-A22, cordless burnisher GPB 6X-A22, and cordless band file GFB 6X-A22.

GTB 6X-A22 Belt Sander Features

• Precise speed control from 3.8 – 8.4 m/s – you can use higher speeds to remove material very quickly, while the lower speeds help you to craft a perfect polished finish on stainless steel
• Upgraded ergonomics with lock-on switch – this cordless belt sander fits firmly in your grip, for more comfortable handling and precise control even in hard-to-reach places
• Tool-free sanding belt changes – minimizing the time spent replacing worn-out abrasives
• Brushless motor
• Rough grinding – efficiently removing welding seams, burrs, rust, coatings or tarnish from round-section steel bar stock and pipes
• Fine grinding – finishing tubular carbon and stainless steel to a smooth, uniform and attractive appearance
• Surface finishing – removing scratches from curved steel surfaces
• Mirror finishing – polishing stainless steel to a mirror finish
• Starting at $499 bare tool and available now

GPB 6X-A22 Burnisher Features

• Precise speed control from 1220-2750 rpm – you can use higher speeds to remove material very quickly, while the lower speeds help you to craft a perfect polished finish on stainless steel
• Upgraded ergonomics with lock-on switch – this cordless burnisher fits firmly in your grip, for more comfortable handling and precise control
• Tool-free sanding belt/flap wheel changes – minimizing the time spent replacing worn-out abrasives
• Brushless motor
• Rough grinding – efficiently removing welding seams, burrs, rust, coatings or tarnish on larger metal surfaces
• Fine grinding – finishing carbon and stainless steel to a smooth, uniform and attractive appearance
• Surface finishing – removing scratches from steel surfaces
• Mirror finishing – polishing stainless steel to a mirror finish
• Starting at $499 and available now

GFB 6X-A22 Band File Features

• Precise speed control from 4.3 – 9.5 m/s – you can use higher speeds to remove material very quickly, while the lower speeds help you to craft a perfect polished finish on stainless steel
• Upgraded ergonomics with lock-on switch – this electric metal file fits firmly in your grip, for more comfortable handling and precise control even in hard-to-reach places
• Tool-free sanding belt changes – minimizing the time spent replacing worn-out abrasives
• Tool-free sanding arm adjustment – rapidly adjust the belt angle to the most comfortable working position
• Rough grinding – efficiently removing welding seams, burrs, rust, coatings or tarnish in difficult-to-reach corners and depths
• Fine grinding – finishing carbon and stainless steel to a smooth, uniform and attractive appearance
• Surface finishing – removing scratches from steel surfaces
• Mirror finishing – polishing stainless steel to a mirror finish
• Starting at $499 bare tool and available now

Hilti Smart Fasteners

Our job sites are getting more technical every day and the inclusion of smart devices continues to grow every day. One of the most fascinating new products this year at World of Concrete undoubtedly was the new Hilti Smart Fasteners!

On larger more complex projects that utilize BIM and require significant coordination and inspection, this is a HUGE deal!

Documenting every anchor, screw and bolt installed by hand can be time consuming and inefficient. Hilti’s exclusive Tracefast technology provides specifiers and contractors with an easy-to-use, more productive solution. A data matrix code (DMC) makes every fastener uniquely identifiable and traceable. Simply use the Hilti Connect App, scan the code with your smartphone and view installed fastener details. Tracefast leverages IoT and provides a new level of control and digital access to relevant setting instructions, training and inspection documents and certifications.

“As IoT transforms the construction industry, our product portfolio will continue to expand and shape possibilities for broader applications and services,” said Muthu Manohar, Senior Director of Fastening & Protection at Hilti North America. “Connected anchors is another expansion of that value that only Hilti is positioned to provide. The anchor identification that we bring to the market now paves the way for increasing jobsite productivity across the application chain, helps provide traceability from design and ordering to installation, and eventually ‘smarter’ products. Such technology is useful with the increasing trend of inspections on safety critical applications.”

In recent years, Hilti has made major investments to digitize the construction industry and simplify workflow for contractors with its innovations including smart tools, asset management systems ON!Track and advanced layout tools. Visit the Hilti traceable fasteners page to learn more.

Hilti Tools World of Concrete VIDEO Highlights 2020

2 Comments

1. Brendon Moore

   February 10, 2020 at 12:22 pm

   Hey I love your content, and your advice will be greatly
   appreciated. I have owned a two piece milwaukee kit gen two, it worked great, but I then upgraded to gen three and was disappointed. Am not in the states but always followed them, giving how quick it failed and other complaints I saw online am discouraged to say the least. Now I want to move to a new platform, giving the fact I have to order one and won’t have and probably won’t have Warranty, I wanted a trusted and reliable system and was thinking of makita, metabo, bosch and hilti. The German brand stood out due to their reputation, and if I have to sacrifice the money for build quality, I don’t mind once it last. Your advice and critique will be greatly appreciated. Now I mentioned makita because after watching your channel and many others, I have grown fond of carpentry even if am a electrian by profession and will like your view of how they will compete, not just performance but longevity. Thanks so much and look forward to your response, also I love to see you review the new hilti brushless 22v hammer drill and the metabo 3 speed hammer drill, personally you give a more thorough break down compared to the rest. Also am in the caribbean and a fan.

   Reply
   1. Todd Fratzel

      February 10, 2020 at 1:58 pm

      Brendon – Which Milwaukee tool did you have trouble with? We’ve had such amazing luck with Milwaukee tools I’m surprised to hear this. My guys also use quite a bit of Hilti tools and they are extremely long lasting, but of course cost more. Which is best is such a loaded question. It depends on many things, how many tools are available on the platform for example, what battery options are available, and often is service available locally. I would say Milwaukee and Makita have the widest offering of tools, and don’t keep changing battery voltage like some companies.

      Reply

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