rotary hammer

DeWalt DCH213L2 20V Max SDS Rotary Hammer Review

DeWalt DCH213L2 20V Max SDS Rotary Hammer Review

I remember when the cordless hammer drill was the new tool every contractor and pro was talking about. It revolutionized how quickly you could get a job done, and the cordless aspect of bringing that kind of power to tasks like pre-drilling Tapcons or performing other tasks really altered the industry. But jobs like overhead drilling in reinforced concrete or repetitive drilling of dozens of 3/8″ or larger holes really takes its toll. For that, DeWalt just upped the ante with its DCH213L2 20V Max Rotary Hammer. Not only does the tool take advantage of the new 20V Max battery technology (which is really built from the ground up to communicate with the new 20V Max tools), it brings a whole lot more power and versatility to the work of concrete drilling and penetration.

Max-Lok Carbide SDS-Max Bit Extension System

Milwaukee Max-Lok Carbide SDS-Max Bit Extension System

So Milwaukee is into innovation – everyone who is even remotely familiar with the company and its product lines can attest to that. But what’s always surprising (to me, at least) is the diversity of areas that innovation touches. Take their new Max-Lok Carbide Extension System, for example. This falls smack dab in the lap of serious concrete professionals who use SDS-Max bits day in and day out. The Max-Lok system is designed to extend SDS-Max rotary hammer bits up to 82.5″. That means you can take your existing SDS-Max bits and bore deeper and into more places than ever before. And you’re not buying expensive and dedicated extended length bits to do it.

Bosch RHS181K 18V Compact Rotary Hammer Drill Preview

Bosch RHS181K 18V Compact Rotary Hammer Drill Preview

Last summer we got to check out Bosch’s RHH180 Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill and found it to be the kind of tool that would make lots of on-site jobs much easier. When you just need to grab a tool and drill to, for example, set anchors or Tapcons to mount conduit, an 18V Hammer Drill can be a great solution. What we especially like about the new RHS181K is that Bosch took a great idea and compacted it further. The new hammer drill moves the battery from the front of the D-handle to the base and migrates the motor structure forward. The result is a much more compact design that shaves nearly a pound off the weight (the new tool weighs 4.6 lbs – and that’s including the 18V Lithium-ion battery.

Bosch RH228VC Bulldog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer Preview

Bosch RH228VC Bulldog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer Preview

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.

Milwaukee 5317-21 1-9/16" SDS Max Rotary Hammer Preview

Milwaukee 5317-21 1-9/16 SDS Max Rotary Hammer Preview

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.

Milwaukee 5316-21 1-9/16" Spline Rotary Hammer Preview

Milwaukee 5316-21 1-9/16 Spline Rotary Hammer Preview

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.

Milwaukee 5263-21 5/8" SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Preview

Milwaukee 5263-21 5/8″ SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Preview

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.