Rotary Hammers

About Rotary Hammers

Rotary hammers are purpose-built for drilling into concrete, masonry, brick, and stone. Unlike standard drill/drivers or basic hammer drills, they use a dedicated SDS chuck that drives the bit with a hammering stroke in addition to rotation, allowing far faster penetration with far less operator effort. They are the correct tool for installing expansion anchors, running conduit through concrete block, removing tile, and drilling through structural walls where ordinary drills stall or wear out bits quickly. The products in this category span a wide range. Prices run from $54.79 for entry-level corded options to $648.99 for the Bosch 11264EVS SDS-Max powerhouse. Corded models draw 7 to 14 amps and spin between 340 and 1300 RPM; cordless models run on 18V or 20V battery platforms and include options as light as 5 pounds such as the DEWALT DCH133B and Bosch GBH18V-22N. Weights across the catalog range from 3.82 pounds for the BOSCH RH328VC to over 25 pounds for the heaviest SDS models, so matching the tool to the job matters as much as raw motor output. To narrow the choice, start with three questions. First, do you work away from outlets or need maximum sustained power for production drilling? Cordless suits installers and electricians moving through a building; corded SDS-Plus handles continuous concrete work near power. Second, what hole diameter and substrate? SDS-Plus covers the vast majority of anchor holes and conduit runs in block and brick; SDS-Max is warranted only for large-diameter core drilling or demolition chiseling in thick reinforced slabs. Third, do you own a battery platform already? The DEWALT DCH133B runs on 20V MAX, the Makita XRH01Z on 18V LXT, and the Milwaukee 2912-20 supports both 18V battery and corded operation, so platform alignment can simplify the decision considerably.