Masonry & Concrete Tool Reviews & Buying Guides Archives

Bosch RHH180 Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill - application 1

April 11, 2011 0

Bosch RHH180 Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill Review

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.

January 20, 2011 0

Bosch CAG180 Cordless Angle Grinder Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Bosch Power Tools and Accessories has earned its well-deserved reputation for providing outstanding user experiences in the grinder category. Now, with the CAG180 4 1/2-inch, 18-volt Lithium-Ion Angle Grinder, Bosch has set out to create the most powerful cordless angle grinder in its class packed with power, design and safety features. It is designed to outlast and outperform the competition. The CAG180 addresses many common user complaints with cordless grinders used for light-duty cutting and grinding applications in metal, masonry and tile materials such as lack of power, excessive weight and poor overload capacity that causes the tool to stall when the pressure is raised.

January 20, 2011 0

Bosch RH432VCQ SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Bosch has incorporated its patented Active Vibration Control technology into the Bulldog 1-1/8-inch SDS-Plus RH328VC, RH328VCQ, and 1-1/4-inch Bosch RH432VCQ […]

January 17, 2011 0

Makita HM0870C 11 lb Demolition Hammer Preview

by Clint DeBoer

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.