Bosch hammer drill

These drill and chisel hammers have proven their worth

The long-established German company Bosch is certainly one of the most renowned suppliers of home and handyman products in the world. The product range of the family-owned company also includes a wide range of different hammer drills. A Bosch hammer drill is considered reliable as well as easy to use. While the inexpensive DIY series is available for do-it-yourselfers, the powerful professional devices are popular in the trade.

In the following, we will show you which Bosch hammer is recommended. You will also find out what you should bear in mind in this context. We hope to be able to help you with this guide.

Bosch hammer drill – 3 models in the presentation

Bosch Professional GBH 2-28 F

Some hammer drills are particularly popular and have proven their worth for years. Above all, this applies to the model Bosch Professional GBH 2-28 F .

The hammer drill is equipped with an 800-watt motor and is operated via a mains cable. Depending on the choice, it is supplied as a single unit or, if required, with a comprehensive range of accessories. Although the device weighs only 3 kg, it has an impact energy of 3.1 joules. This is sufficient to drill holes up to 28 mm in size in concrete. You can choose between drilling, hammer drilling and chiseling. A dust extraction system can also be retrofitted if required.

In addition, it is even possible to screw in and remove screws. Thanks to the AutoLock quick-action chuck, changing all attachments is child’s play. The variably adjustable speed provides even more flexibility. Furthermore, all relevant safety functions are used. In a dangerous situation, it is therefore very likely that the Bosch hammer will reduce the power on its own.

Bosch DIY Uneo Maxx

There are also affordable hammer drills from the brand manufacturer Bosch. An inexpensive cordless hammer drill from this manufacturer is the Bosch Uneo Maxx .

This model also has the convenient quick-action drill chuck. You can hammer, drill and screw. The respective operating mode can be conveniently switched at the touch of a button. The hammer is powered by an 18V rechargeable battery, which can also be used in the other cordless DIY tools. Because the hammer drill weighs only 1.4 kg in total, it can be used by women and senior citizens.

According to Bosch, you can change the attachment within 3 seconds. The hammer drill is comfortable to handle – also thanks to the rubberised grip surfaces. However, it is important to note that the maximum power is limited to 0.6 joules. Large resistances and comprehensive tasks are therefore not possible with this model.

Bosch Professional GBH 5-40 DCE

Bosch also has the right hammer drill for demanding tasks in the trade. A powerful model here is the Bosch Professional GBH 5-40 DCE .

This tool is ideal for use as a caulking hammer. It can be used with an impact energy of up to 8.8 joules. This means that even solid walls can be knocked down quite quickly. Flat chisels, pointed chisels and, of course, drill bits can be mounted in the SDS-max drill chuck. Even in concrete, the drill diameter can be an impressive 90 mm (including the hammer drill bit).

Because the speed can be reduced, you can also proceed quite gently if necessary. In addition to the speed, it is also possible to vary the number of blows. You can be particularly aggressive with the turbo function. In general, this Bosch hammer is able to cope with tough continuous use. However, the components weigh a not insignificant 6.8 kg.

Bosch hammer drill – You should always pay attention to the following

Drive & selection options

Bosch currently offers 32 different rotary hammers. As already mentioned, there are models for private DIY work (green DIY series) as well as powerful models for high demands in trade (blue Professional series). Of course, it can also make sense to use a more solid design for private use.

Looking at the drive, one can divide it into 2 categories: Models with a mains cable and models with a rechargeable battery. Both types have advantages and disadvantages.

A corded hammer drill usually has a price advantage. Even Bosch brand products are sometimes available for less than 100 euros. In addition, the hammer can be put into operation immediately, as the cable only needs to be placed in the normal mains supply (220-240V). In the top segment, more power can still be accessed through the mains current. A clear disadvantage is the limited freedom of movement and the risk of tripping.

A cordless hammer drill gives you maximum freedom of movement. Accordingly, you can work on any place of your choice immediately and move around without any worries. First, however, the lithium-ion battery must be charged. Continuous operation is not quite as easy here. In addition, the impact energy of a Bosch model is not yet sufficient for the really big tasks, such as drilling large diameters in steel.

Power

Power is definitely an important factor. It must be suitable for the conditions on site. In general, it can be said that hammer drills are more powerful than, for example, impact drills. An electropneumatic percussion mechanism takes over the part of the power application. It is therefore not necessary to use your own muscle power.

Regardless of the form of drive, the first point of contact in terms of power is the so-called impact force – sometimes also referred to as impact energy. It is expressed in the unit joule. The larger the desired drill diameter in hard materials, the higher the value should be. While values of around 1 joule are sufficient for wood, 4 or more joules are needed for a certain degree of variability in the trade. The Bosch maximum is 19 joules.

In the cordless hammer drill segment, the battery capacity is also a promise of potential power. Bosch uses either 18V or 36V. The 36V devices can be much more powerful.

With all power tools, it can also be worth taking a look at the power consumption. It is given in watts. First and foremost, the wattage only defines the power consumption, but a high power consumption per unit of time can also be associated with increased performance.

Drill chuck

Bosch is considered the inventor of the SDS drill chuck. The so-called Special Direct System combines several advantages. It has a standardised shank diameter of 10 mm and is now also used by many other manufacturers. This makes it consumer-friendly, because you do not have to replace all the drill bits and chisels when you change manufacturers.

Generally, insertion and removal is possible within 3 seconds. Separate tools do not have to be used. Moreover, not only drills but also chisels can be used in various combi hammers. The use of a chisel makes sense, for example, when chiseling walls.

A professional hammer drill from Bosch also allows you to adjust the chisel to many different positions. In an SDS-plus or SDS-max holder, slipping – provided it is handled properly – can also be almost completely ruled out.

Handling

Every manufacturer should see it as his duty to provide the user with maximum comfort. Only then will physical discomfort be delayed for a long time and one can devote oneself fully to the desired task. A Bosch hammer drill promises a high level of operating comfort for a number of reasons.

First of all, some models actually weigh less than 2 kg. Such models are of course best suited for women as well as people with muscular complaints. However, it must be said that a light weight is often synonymous with a rather limited performance.

The Vibration Control also ensures a high level of comfort. A lifting rod counteracts the vibrations of the motor so that they only minimally affect the handle or the hands. This is also ensured by rubberised elements.

In general, a Bosch hammer can be operated intuitively. It starts conveniently at the touch of a button and has clear symbols on the respective controls.

LED lighting can help you when working in dark areas. Because the entire working area can be illuminated, the risk of accidents is also reduced.

It is up to you whether you choose a comprehensive set with case and accessories or a single unit. Of course, the matching carrying case helps immensely to ensure that nothing gets lost.

Functionality

A Bosch hammer drill has a number of functions that significantly improve flexibility and convenience. We will briefly explain which ones are particularly useful in the following.

The speed can be controlled electronically (VariableSpeed) so that you can always optimally adapt the power to the task at hand. This makes it equally possible to drill precise holes in soft woods and to penetrate metals aggressively. ConstantSpeed then ensures that the speed can also be kept constant at one level.

As already mentioned, the quick-action drill chuck can accommodate not only drills but also chisels. For carefree chiselling, it is of course possible to disable the rotary function (chisel function).

Incidentally, a cordless hammer drill from Bosch has a heat-conducting housing. This reliably prevents the battery from overheating. An LED display informs you about the remaining battery capacity.

Safety

The aspect of safety must always take on a certain relevance. Both the manufacturer and the user can ensure that the risk of accidents is reduced to a minimum. A Bosch hammer drill is considered to be maximally safe because it comes with many safety features.

If a blockage occurs, the KickBack Control kicks in. It then prevents dangerous kickbacks. The hammer drill can also detect excessive torque. RotationClutchControl then separates the drive trains from each other.

After a power failure, Restart Protection protects you from sudden action of the hammer drill.

Furthermore, some Bosch hammer drills can be combined with a dust extraction system. As a rule, however, this does not fully replace a suitable respiratory protection mask.

You can contribute to a high level of safety by ensuring that the hammer drill is used properly. It is also advisable to put on adequate protective clothing. Depending on the purpose, this may include sturdy shoes, safety goggles, a dust mask and a helmet

Price

Of course, the price also has a certain influence on the decision. It should be in a fair proportion to your own requirements. In the segment of rotary hammers, this means roughly the following: the more power and the more versatility you expect, the more you have to invest. Otherwise, there is an increased potential for disappointment.

A Bosch hammer drill covers different price ranges. While simple DIY models can be had for around 100 euros, a powerful hammer drill for continuous use can quickly cost well over 500 Pounds. Generally, one can speak of a fair price/performance ratio.

Bosch hammer drill – It has many advantages

A hammer drill from Bosch has a number of advantages. All the tools are tried and tested, because they can be found on thousands of construction sites and in at least as many garages around the world. Due to the comprehensive selection options, the right solution can almost always be found. Compared to other manufacturers, however, even Bosch is not top everywhere. So that you can quickly weigh up the pros and cons of the devices, we have provided you with an overview below:

Video: Bosch GBH 2-28 SDS Plus in practice