Masonry & Concrete Tool Reviews & Buying Guides Archives

June 13, 2011 0

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.

June 13, 2011 0

Milwaukee 5262-21 7/8″ SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Preview

by Clint DeBoer

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.

May 10, 2011 0

Panasonic EY7950LR2S 18V Li-ion Hammer Drill Kit Preview

by Clint DeBoer

We got an advanced look at the new Panasonic IEC-rated EY7950LR2S 18V cordless hammer drill at this year’s IBS Show in Vegas and were impressed by the company’s tough talk. Today, Panasonic announced the introduction of four of its new 18V Li-Ion cordless power tools. The new tools will be part of the company’s Tough IP line of professional-grade products. All feature IEC (International Electro Technical Commission) rated dust and water resistant technology and will be available this month. The four introduced models (which seem to be debuting overseas before they hit the US market) include a 1/2″ drill and driver kit, an impact wrench kit, an impact driver kit and a hammer drill/driver kit. All of the new 18V cordless models can be charged for use in 50 minutes with a full charge at 65 minutes, and feature Panasonic’s high capacity 3.3Ah Li-ion battery, LED work light, belt hook, and molded case.

Bosch RHH180 Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill - application 1

April 11, 2011 0

Bosch RHH180 Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill Review

by Clint DeBoer

Using an underpowered tool can ruin your day. If you’ve ever tried to drill into concrete with a standard drill, you’ll have experienced this first-hand. Similarly, a traditional hammer drill, while effective for basic concrete drilling, is not set up for larger jobs that require bigger bits, deeper holes and repetitive drilling. For that you will want a serious tool, and Bosch’s RHH180 18V Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill targets that need precisely. It also includes convenience features like an integrated depth gauge and handle that will allow you to drill to a specific depth quickly and not waste any energy, bit-life or time. It’s also a simple tool to use, with few options and little room for confusion – you just pick it up and go… or rather, IT goes, as you’ll see in the review.

April 7, 2011 0

Milwaukee M18 Cordless SDS+ Rotary Hammer Review

by Clint DeBoer

Milwaukee tried to slip one by us earlier this year, but we caught it. As part of their April 1st push of the new RedLithium platform (which is no joke) the company leaked info on a new M18 Rotary Hammer with SDS Plus technology (2605-22). It’s a 7/8-inch model and comes with either 1 or 2 RedLithium XC batteries. We love it when reviews and projects collide. With the case of the Milwaukee M18 SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer, we couldn’t have asked for better timing. The M18 Rotary Hammer represents one of those cross-over tools. It’s a cordless tool that really attempts to be a corded tool replacement. Itâ€™s not for chopping up large swathes of concrete, but it’s also a huge step above something you’d use for routine fastening into block walls. The 2605-22 Cordless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill Kit is light enough to be used overhead, but strong enough to plow through high density concrete with a 7/8″ bit.

Black & Decker LDX112C 12V Max Lithium Drill/Driver Review

March 28, 2011 0

Black and Decker LDX112C 12V Max Lithium Drill/Driver Review

by Thomas Gaige

Seeing how just about everyone else has a compact 12V lithium-ion powered line of power tools, Black & Decker jumped on board with their value-targeted LDX112C 12V Max Lithium Drill/Driver. Using what has become an industry standard format for the battery style, they opted for a slightly different approach to its integration into the handle of the tool. The front load style actually makes it so that the drill can stand on its own and offer pretty good balance. This little drill has most of what we have come to expect from this type of tool – like an integrated LED worklight, rubber over-molded grips, and variable speed trigger. What actually surprised us was the metal gear box and 3/8″ metal chuck which seemed like nice touches on a value priced tool. The Black & Decker LDX112C 12V Max Lithium Drill/Driver comes in a cardboard box that includes a battery, charger, and a bi-sided driving bit. Sorry, but only one battery is included and there is no nifty carry case. But given its pretty small size, it could easily live in the junk drawer in your kitchen. Come on, admit it, you might not call it a junk drawer, but everyone has one. Its that central drawer in your kitchen or office that houses all the odds and ends that don’t seem to belong or fit elsewhere. It is the first place you will look for masking tape, screws, tacks, candles and a host of other necessities (yes, I too have one) – and what better place than to store this handy little drill/driver.

March 8, 2011 0

Craftsman 17562 NEXTEC 12V Right Angle Impact Driver Review

by Matthias Gaige

Removing or driving fasteners in cramped spaces is easy with the new Craftsman 17562 NEXTEC 12V Right Angle Impact Driver thanks to its compact head size of only 3-1/2″ and 700 in-lb of torque. This handy tool comes with lithium-ion battery power, a variable-speed trigger, 1/4″ hex quick chuck and a compact size that will surely make it one of the go-to tools in your collection. The engineers at Craftsman did a fantastic job of combining the functionality of a right angle drill with an impact driver. The Craftsman 17562 NEXTEC 12V Right Angle Impact Driver represents what might be an industry first with their design and from what we can tell, they engineered a great tool. This impact driver proved to be very versatile when working in cramped spaces and for some projects it’s a must.

February 15, 2011 0

Milwaukee M18 Cordless 3/8″ Right Angle Drill Driver Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation expands its M18 Lithium-ion system with the new M18 Cordless 3/8″ Right Angle Drill Driver. As the only 18V Right Angle Drill with an adjustable clutch feature, the new tool provides eleven torque settings, plus one drill mode, for complete control in close-quarter fastening applications. Featuring a 3/8″ one handed, keyless ratcheting chuck, the user can quickly change bits without additional tools. In addition, an extended paddle switch design provides easy trigger actuation from the top, middle, or bottom of the tool to allow the user to change hand position depending on the application.

February 7, 2011 0

Makita Dustless Hammer Attachment Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Makita debuted and released two new dust extraction solutions for concrete contractors at this year’s World of Concrete. These 2 […]

February 1, 2011 0

Porter Cable PC18ID 18V Lithium Impact Driver Review

by Clint DeBoer

Impact drivers are the new drill. While we don’t recommend them for actual drilling – not into hardwood, at least – the Impact Driver has become the go-to tool for most homeowners looking to reduce fatigue and stress when driving screws. The tools, like Porter Cable’s PC18ID 18V Impact Driver, are extremely compact as well – allowing for more maneuverability than many drills with standard chucks. At just under $80, it also presents itself as an incredible value – especially if you’re already in possession of the lithium-ion batteries and charger required to power this tool.