Wednesday, March 23, 2011 Bosch 11388 10 Amp SDS-Max Demolition Hammer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I needed something to help me remove about 600 sq feet of Chattahoochee rock (small stones mixed with epoxy, about 1.5" thick, layered over concrete) around my pool deck.I tried several hand tools including; chisels, crowbars, wrecking bars, by themselves and in combination with a small sledgehammer.It was brutal.I started using an air hammer with a chisel.It worked, but it was very slow going (1/2" chisel). It's a big area to chisel up 1/2" at a time.

I couldn't find a review of any of these tools and was initially hesitant to buy such an expensive tool.After a marathon session with the air hammer last weekend, I caved and ordered this one.It came the other day and I had a chance to try it out yesterday.

The thing rocks!I chiseled up more in 3 hours using this tool than I have over the last 3 weekends using the other tools.I picked up a 3" scraper chisel for it.It powers the Chattahoochee off like nobody's business. By hand, it was literally like busting rocks.Now, it's more like scraping bad Rice Krispy Treats off an old, ungreased pan.It seems to be a very robust and well built tool.I'm using it on angle to "scrap" off the rock layer from the concrete and the tool is large enough to be fatiguing after an hour or two.If you were using it straight down, it would be easier on you and you could use the tool's weight to your advantage.After 3 hours I was pretty tuckered out.The tool seemed to be just getting warmed up!

The chisels lock in place, so you don't have to worry about them falling out.The extra handle is easy to reposition.The trigger has a locking mechanism which is nice (it locks on), but it is a little tricky to disengage with gloves on.The locking button is too small and I have to push on it a couple of times to get it to disengage.It isn't a big problem, though.When you depress the trigger, the tool turns on, but doesn't actually hammer until you put the chisel on something and apply some pressure.It makes the tool easier and safer to operate.It gets good and warm after a bit of use, but only on the metal parts, not where you hold it.

I'm wearing gloves and safety glasses (stuff flies everywhere).It's been raining here and the patio where I'm working is pretty damp so dust isn't a big issue for me.You'd probably want to wear a good mask just about anywhere else though.Hearing protection is also probably a good idea.The tool isn't that noisy by itself, but using it is.My wife says she can feel the vibration in the whole house (concrete slab, cinderblock house).

It's a big, specialized tool and big investment too. For me, on just this one project, I'm saving thousands by doing it myself and with this new tool, I'm saving my back and knees too!I removed some floor tile from a concrete floor a couple ofyears ago.I wish I had this tool then.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bosch 11388 10 Amp SDS-Max Demolition Hammer

Product Description:
Features SDS-max? drive for fast steel changes;Vario-lock for 12-way chisel positioning;10 amp; 2,800 BPM;Includes 360 deg. auxiliary handle and case