mcmeadows1's Full Review: Bosch SDS - max Demolition Hammer 11316EVS
Prelude:
The ground, here in southern Arizona where I live, is very dense and extremely compacted, gravel and rock infused, dirt. Also, just below the surface is a layer of caliche which is almost as hard as concrete. These two factors, combined, make digging in the earth here an enormously difficult task.
My wife and I live on a one acre lot, which we intend to landscape extensively over the next several years. This past weekend, Memorial Day holiday here in the U.S.A., my wife decided, for our first home improvement project, to have me build a pergola over our patio. The design of the pergola requires six posts be secured into the earth. Each foundation hole needs to be approximately 12" in diameter and 18" to 24" deep.
On the first day of the project, I was able to dig two of the holes by hand, but only to a depth of approximately 12". Not only was I extremely sore and tired, but the holes simply were not deep enough. Furthermore, it had taken me almost an entire day just to dig two holes! My wife finally conceded to my request to either rent or purchase a demolition hammer.
We did consider renting a demo hammer. However, a quick check of the cost of a one day rental versus the number of projected jobs we anticipate pursuing over the course of landscaping our property and we decided we would be better off to purchase a demo hammer versus renting one for ten-plus times.
I have used both Bosch and Makita demolition hammers before, when I worked for a local landscaping company. However, that was years ago and I have since not had any experience using demo hammers. From what I remember, either brand held up well and worked with equal efficiency, speed and ease of use. I also remember the noise and vibration both brands' demo hammers produced. Suffice to say, hearing protection and thick gloves were mandatory! Also, both brands demo hammers were heavy and resembled traditional pneumatic jack hammers in appearance and usage. By usage, I mean both brands' demo hammers were pretty much only usable in the vertical (upright) position.
Review:
The Bosch SDS-max® Demolition Hammer, Model 11316EVS, seems to be light years ahead of the ones I used just a few short years ago! First, the engineering and design Bosch engineers have obviously put into this demo hammer are readily apparent. While the unit is relatively lightweight, compared to its competitors, it is solidly built and feels like it is designed to last for years, if not decades. Obviously, I have not taken the unit apart, but those parts which I can see and touch are built to very close tolerances and with materials and components which appear, and feel, to be very tough.
The power cord is long enough to be useful, but not so long as to require too much space for storage. Speaking of storage, the storage/carry case is made of plastic. I suppose Bosch had to save costs somewhere to keep the price of the unit reasonable, but I feel as if a metal storage case would have made more sense. After all, the typical purchaser of this unit is probably a commercial craftsman (landscaper, carpenter, etc.) who requires his tools to be well-designed and built and will probably be rough with not only the tool, but the case in which it is stored. I just don't envision the case lasting anywhere near as long as the tool it is supposedly supposed to protect. As for myself, I am a residential home owner who will use the tool, and case, only for projects on my property. I anticipate I will find the case to be more than adequate.
The unit includes two handles, the main handle on the rear of the unit and an auxiliary handle which is mounted towards the front of the unit, near the base of the attachment locking assembly. Both handles are solidly built, comfortable and allow positive control and use of the demo hammer. The auxiliary handle can be rotated 360 degrees around the unit. I have not yet tried to rotate the handle. I am right handed and the handle is positioned from the factory to extend 90 degrees to the left of the demo hammer. When the demo hammer is stored in the included case, the auxiliary handle must be folded flat along the side of the unit.
The only attachment I have so far purchased is a spade, also made by Bosch. I was able to quickly, and easily, secure the spade to the demo hammer. I also tested the ease and speed with which I could remove the spade. Again, it was no problem. While the locking mechanism is very easy to use, for both attaching and detaching attachments, it works very well. When the attachment is in place, it is held tightly with absolutely no looseness or wobbling.
Attachment can be rotated 360 degrees, in 30 degree increments, by adjusting the ratchet just to the rear of the dust shield. As with the attachment locking mechanism, the ratchet works easily and securely.
The controls are simple. The 'On' 'Off' switch is very big, clearly marked, functions smoothly and positively latches in either position. Positioned as it is, protected by the main handle, there is little chance of accidentally turning the unit on or off. On the side of the unit is a dial, numbered from one to six, which controls the number of beats per minute (BPM). Just below this dial is an indicator light which illuminates when maintenance will be required.
The owner’s manual states the demo hammer will operate for approximately eight house of further use after the maintenance light illuminates. After eight hours, the light will turn off and the demo hammer will no longer operate. At this point, according to the owner’s manual, one must send the unit to a factory authorized repair center for maintenance. The owner’s manual does not indicate for how long the demo hammer will function before maintenance will be required, as indicated by the maintenance light turning on.
When I first powered the unit on, I immediately wondered what was wrong. The noise it made was subdued and there was no vibration. Furthermore, the spade attachment was not moving! Not knowing what else to do, I placed the spade against the soil. Ah! The spade began to move! It did not move violently, as I remember from using demo hammers years ago, but slowly at first and then quickly to full speed. The whole process was smooth and far less fatiguing than I had anticipated.
I was, and still am, very impressed with how efficiently the demo hammer, with spade attachment, loosened and then cut through the soil. Rocks, and other debris lodged in the soil, did not cause the unit to violently bounce out of control. It simply continued to dig without complaint. If the rock was too big to be shattered by the spade, the demo hammer simply began to score and then chisel through the rock. At this point, I would reposition the spade to side of the rock to loosen the surrounding soil. Eventually, the rock would be worked loose to the point where I could easily pick it up by shovel or by hand.
The overall noise produced by the demo hammer itself, when it is 'on' and no pressure is applied to the attachment, is far less than I anticipated. One could easily hold a conversation with another person while doing so.
On a side note, when the unit is 'on' and there is no pressure on the attachment, the demo hammer does not operate the attachment. One could simply leave the demo hammer 'on' throughout usage, without turning it off to reposition the attachment or move it to another location. The owner’s manual does not state this, but I suspect this is for liability reasons more than anything else. I do not recommend one doing this either, as there may be a legitimate reason, other than liability, for Bosch not stating this.
When one is actually using the demo hammer, that is, applying pressure to the attachment, noise is, as expected, loud. However, it is no louder than reasonable, given the usage. Hearing protection is required.
Vibration, on the other hand, is very low. Yes, it is there, but far less than one would expect. I do not know how the Bosch engineers did it, but my hat goes off to them! Obviously, digging in soil is different than digging through concrete, so I can not comment on how well this demo hammer dampens vibrations for that usage. However, I am still impressed with how little vibration is transmitted to the operator.
Is this an expensive demo hammer? Yes, it is. However, I am nothing but impressed with it. As I continue to use it, I will continue to evaluate it. If something derogatory comes to my attention, I will add comments to this review. Until that happens, I can fully recommend this demo hammer, without any reservations.
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