Bosch broke new naming records when it announced the RH228VC Bulldog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer. I mean, it's got to be good to be named Bulldog AND Xtreme AND Max. In actuality, we think it probably should have been named the Bosch RH228VC Bulldog Pitbull Super Xtreme Ultra Max Premium Vibration Control Rotary Hammer, but maybe we're a bit more adventurous than the product managers over at Bosch (you know who you are!) We're certainly more facetious. Bosch specifically designed the RH228VC to master both power and vibration control. As a result, the hammer - according to Bosch - delivers 40 percent more speed, 20 percent more power (2.4 ft lbs) and up to 30 percent less vibration (12 m/s2) than a majority of the other rotary hammers in its class.
Continuing their expansion of their rotary hammer line, Milwaukee has introduced a new 1-9/16" Spline Rotary Hammer. This new rotary hammer delivers the durability users have come to expect from Milwaukee, with a 10.5-amp motor and 5.5 ft-lbs of impact energy. We've picked up and used several of Milwaukee's rotary hammers and they are a force to be reckoned with. The new hammer is an improvement in that it offers new features to increase efficiency and lower the amount of work (effort) you have to expend in order to achieve the results you need.
Continuing their expansion of their rotary hammer line, Milwaukee has introduced a new 1-9/16" SDS Max Rotary Hammer. This new rotary hammer delivers the durability users have come to expect from Milwaukee, with a 10.5-amp motor and 5.5 ft-lbs of impact energy. We've picked up and used several of Milwaukee's rotary hammers and they are a force to be reckoned with. The new hammer is an improvement in that it offers new features to increase efficiency and lower the amount of work (effort) you have to expend in order to achieve the results you need.
When Porter-Cable announced it had launched a new 7-amp 1/2" 2-speed hammer drill (PC70THD) we perked up our ears. The tool is designed to take advantage of new power-to-weight ratio advantages in motor and transmission technology and apply that to the corded tools that so often lag behind their "updated every 9 months" cordless brethren. The new corded hammer drill seems to really target pros who are looking for an ergonomic rotary hammer drill driver that doesn't cost a fortune, but isn't slack on performance.
It's the day of rotary hammers, as Milwaukee introduces a new 5/8" SDS Plus Rotary Hammer in addition to an M18 model we covered previously and a 7/8" rotary hammer drill that retails for just $199. With regard to the 5263-21 5/8" model, Milwaukee claims it as the "lightest and most compact" rotary hammer in its class. The tool measures just 10.9" long and looks like a corded version of the 2605-22 M18 Cordless 5/8" Rotary Hammer Drill. But get this - it weighs only 4.6 lbs! This is a dream hammer for drilling overhead or when you happen to not have a lot of room to maneuver. Even with its compact form factor, however, this tool has a full 1.5 ft-lbs of impact energy and features an astoundingly fast 0-3700 RPM and 0-4400 bpm. With this kind of performance it's going to be plenty powerful enough to drill the kind of holes required by professional electrticians, plumbers and other journeymen or professionals.
Lightweight rotary hammers are fast becoming the new tool of choice among professionals who need to drop in some large anchors or drill through concrete or cinder block with a bit more performance than you get out of a cordless tool. Milwaukee has just revamped its rotary hammer platform with a new M18 Cordless rotary hammer, but their 5262-21 7/8" SDS Plus Rotary Hammer is just the ticket when you've got enough work to warrant the extra power and versatility. At just 5.8 pounds, this D-handled tool is going to be able to be used overhead without causing your arms to fall off after the first 2 minutes of drilling. In fact, Milwaukee, in order to keep the price point where it is, opted out of active vibration reduction, relying instead on the low weight to help the user with any overhead work.
At the 2011 World of Concrete (WoC) show this year, Makita unleashed a new hard hitting demolition hammer that uses less weight to accomplish more. The demo hammer, which accepts SDS-Max bits, weighs only 11.1 lbs. and is ideally suited for horizontal work and jobs where you just don't want to lift a heavier hammer off the ground. The new tool comes with an Electronic Speed Control that automatically applies additional power to the motor to maintain speed under load to complete the most challenging jobs. It also features a soft start motor to suppress start-up reaction and current draw for more control and better accuracy.
Bosch bills this as the fastest, longest lasting breed of rotary hammer. The totally redesigned BULLDOG Xtreme outlasts the competition in both speed and performance. A side-mounted multi-function selector allows 3 modes of operation: rotary hammer, hammer-only and rotation-only mode. Vario-Lock Positioning rotates and locks the chisel into 36 different positions to optimize your working angle. The patented rotating brush plate provides equal power in both forward and reverse, so you get as much torque and speed coming out as you do going in. There are also some nice minor touches, like how the cord turret has a 35-degree pivot for added flexibility and longer cord life.
The Skil 6716 16mm Impact Drill is new and joins the 6002 and 6006 in the company's lineup of products designed to provide more efficient and powerful drilling into masonry and metals such as steel plate. This new hammer drill extendings the company's existing range of 10mm and 13mm impact drills. Positioned at the top of Skil's lineup, the 6716 hammer drill has a powerful and reliable 710 W motor with an all-metal bearing system. It offers the highest rotation speed (up to 3200 rpm) and impact rate (51,200 bpm) in its class for efficient metal and masonry drilling.
Delta Machinery introduced its new 18-inch Laser Drill Press (model 18-900L), bringing a new patent-pending Auto-Tensioning Belt Drive System, along with a full 6-inch quill stroke and an oversized woodworker’s table. The patent-pending Auto-Tensioning Belt Drive System is an industry first and allows for fast and easy speed changes while maximizing efficiency with consistent belt tension and motor alignment.
Makita's new drywall screwdriver line comes with an impressive new lightweight design. There are three new models and each features a 6-amp motor, aluminum gear housing, adjustable depth locator, and LED work light. The only difference between models is the maximum speed (which of course begs the question: why not one tool with three settings?). The FS6200 delivers 0-6,000 RPM while the FS4200 delivers 0-4,000 RPM - and both weigh just 2.9 lbs. The FS2200 delivers 0-2,500 RPM and weighs 3.5 lbs. Makita also provides several model options: The FS4200A features a 50 ft. cord and the FS4200TP a 50 ft. twist lock cord. The FS6200TP also features a 50 ft. twist lock power cord.
See All Articles In This Section