Bosch Cordless 1-Inch Rotary Hammer Cuts the Cord on Popular Corded Model
Bosch’s introduction of their Core18V battery line opens up more power availability. Bosch has now hit the point where their cordless battery-powered rotary hammers exceed the power of their corded models. The Bosch GBH18V-28DC 1 1/8-inch rotary hammer with GDE28D dust collector provides 3.4 J of impact energy.
What to Expect from the Bosch GBH18V-28DC 1 1/8-inch Rotary Hammer
Performance
The Bosch GBH18V-28DC 1 1/8-inch rotary hammer is even stronger than the corded GBH 2-28. In fact, we see several differences in the specifications. The impact energy is up by 0.2 J to 3.4 J (2.5 ft-lbs). It maintains the same maximum drilling diameters in masonry, metal, and wood.
Design
Bosch goes with the more elongated D-handle design. We actually prefer this to the open drill handle of the corded GBH 2-28 rotary hammer.
Without a battery, the Bosch GBH18V-28DC rotary hammer weighs just 0.2 pounds more than the corded model. Add an 8.0Ah Core18V battery, and you’ll contribute about a pound and a half to the 6.6-pound bare tool weight.
Kickback
The Bosch cordless 1 1/8-inch rotary hammer continues to include anti-kickback features to help prevent injuries if you bind up. It’s a welcome addition, especially when you drilling into reinforced concrete.
Mode Control
You get three standard rotary hammer modes: rotation only, hammer only, and hammering with rotation. There’s also a chuck rotation point so you can change the angle of attack with a chisel.
What’s interesting is that Bosch goes with a two-stage dial. You have to push the top button and give it a little turn to unlock it. From there, it will snap back into the next detent it comes across. That helps prevent you from accidentally popping the dial out of the selected mode.
Additional Features
- Variable speed reversing trigger with equal power in both directions
- 360º side handle with push-button depth rod lock
- Connected-ready for integration into the Bosch Toolbox App
- Tool hook for hanging the rotary hammer
Cut the Cord and the Hose
The Bosch GBH18V-28DC is compatible with the lightweight GDE 28 D dust extractor with filter cleaning mechanism. It uses an onboard HEPA dust collector for dustless drilling and lets you work completely untethered to cords and hoses. We like the transparent container and the ease with which the GDE 28 D attaches to the tool and doesn’t require its own battery to operate.
The GDE 28 D Professional dust extractor easily assembles with just one click. You can also empty out the dust box without removing the filter. You get a lot of flexibility since it includes two interchangeable dust eyes for drilling with bits up to 1 1/8-inch in diameter and an extension for bits up to 10.5-inches in length.
Because it includes a manual filter cleaning mechanism, it qualifies as a Table 1 compliant accessory. You can also check the Bosch silica dust site for Objective Data documents and methods to comply with concrete drilling regulations.
Adding the dust collector to the Bosch cordless 1 1/8-inch rotary hammer only adds around 1.8 pounds. That makes the whole Bosch GBH18V-28DC cordless/hoseless package settle in at around 10 pounds.
Bosch GBH18V-28DC Pricing
Typically, Bosch gives you some options for how you might purchase the tool. Here’s what you can expect:
- Bare tool: TBD
- Kit with one 8.0 Ah Core18V battery and charger: TBD
- Kit with two 8.0 Ah Core18V batteries and charger: TBD
The onboard dust collector should be available as a kit and definitely as a standalone SKU for later purchase.
Bosch GBH18V-28DC 1.125-inch Rotary Hammer Specifications
- Power: Bosch Core18V batteries (for best performance)
- Chuck: SDS-Plus
- Impact Energy: 3.4 J (2.5 ft-lbs)
- Vibration (in concrete): 10.1 m/s^2 (+/- 1.5m/s^2)
- Drilling dia. (concrete w/hammer drill bits): 1 to 2-5/8 in. (25–68 mm)
- Opt. app. range in concrete: 0.3–5/8 in. (8–16 mm)
- Max. drilling diameter in metal: 1/2 in. (13 mm)
- Max. drilling diameter in wood: 1-3/16 in. (30 mm)
- Length: ~17.5 in.
- Weight: 6.6 lbs. (bare tool)
