Contractors work in extremely tough conditions and require power tools that will match their tenacity and persistence. The DeWalt DCH293B is a cordless rotary hammer drill that’s designed and built to meet these extremely high standards.
There is nothing ordinary about the DeWalt XR SDS 1¹⁄₈-inch rotary hammer drill. It’s exceptional in so many ways. I’m not at all surprised to see it on the Amazon best-seller list for power tools. For starters, this is a DeWalt 20V MAX XR tool. For the uninitiated, I should offer a brief explanation of what this means.
DeWalt XR Power
Before delving into the DeWalt DCH293B rotary hammer review, I should point out the significance of the letters “XR” that are so proudly displayed on the tool. Second, only to DeWalt 60V FlexVolt tools, DeWalt XR and XR Power Detect cordless tools are amongst the most powerful and durable cordless tools on the market.
The primary difference between DeWalt XR and the standard DeWalt 20V MAX is the superb brushless motor. This makes the DeWalt DCH293B much more powerful than any of their older drills that still use a brushed motor.
Using a brushless motor significantly reduces the power-to-weight ratio and has numerous other advantages. The brushless motor uses AC power supplied by a sophisticated built-in digital inverter. This allows the DeWalt electronic management system to adjust the voltage and frequency of the power supply to maximize efficiency and power.
Sublimely clever electronics will ensure that you always have the best torque and speed for the required task. It will adjust to the demand of the job at hand and will also adapt as the battery power begins to fade.
Brushless motors require no maintenance and typically last a lot longer than brushed motors. Although more expensive, DeWalt XR tools are far superior to the cheaper 20V MAX models. Little wonder that DeWalt XR tools are the top choice for professionals.
XR technology is not the only reason why I absolutely love the DeWalt DCH293B SDS 1¹⁄₈-inch rotary hammer drill. This review will explain why it’s one of the top cordless rotary hammer drills for contractors.
DeWalt DCH293B SDS 1¹⁄₈” Rotary Hammer Drill Review
Features:
- 5 Joules impact energy.
- E-Clutch offers exceptional bind-up protection.
- Lightweight design is perfect for overhead drilling.
- SHOCKS ACTIVE anti-vibration system reduces user fatigue.
- Brushless motor with ultra-durable German-designed hammer mechanism.
- OSHA Table 1 compliant when used with DWH304DH onboard dust extraction system.
- Weight: 8.71 LBS.
- Dimensions: 15.3 X 4 X 10.6 inches.
- Warranty: 3 years, 1-year free service plan, 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
Review:
One can’t but be amazed when a rotary hammer drill weighing only 8.7 pounds delivers a whopping 3.5 joules of brute force. This amazing power-to-weight ratio, coupled with the incredibly compact design and beautiful weight distribution, is what makes the DeWalt DCH293B one of the best 1¹⁄₈” rotary hammer drills for jobs like beam and column anchorage, cable tray and strut mounting, seismic and safety attachment, rod hanging, basically any type overhead of concrete drilling.
Drilling into a concrete slab 8 feet or more above the ground can never be described as a pleasurable experience. It’s extremely tough work and the toxic dust pouring down onto your face can make it almost unbearable. Yet the DeWalt DCH293B XR rotary hammer makes it about as effortless as it can be.
The L-shaped handle with the battery and motor in the center creates a wonderfully compact drill with an almost perfect center of gravity. Not to mention the amazing lightweight design, all combine to help you endure the otherwise treacherous conditions with relative ease.
Best of all, you won’t leave the jobsite looking like an ashen zombie after breathing in volumes of toxic silica dust. The DCH293B is designed to couple with the DWH304DH dust management system, meeting the strictest OSHA standards. This not only ensures workplace health and safety but also makes your life so much easier.
The DeWalt DCH293B 1¹⁄₈” rotary hammer drill has a long list of additional features that any hardworking construction guy will appreciate. The Shocks Active anti-vibration system has proven to be one of the best of its kind. It allows you to work harder for longer without your hands feeling like they are ringing with insane energy.
The E-Clutch also vastly improves safety, which instantly disengages the power when the drill binds up. Encountering a piece of rebar when you’re powering through hard concrete with 3.5 joules of impact energy in your hands is no joke. The E-clutch will certainly be of value many times in preventing pain and injury.
I find DeWalt rotary hammer drills to be incredibly easy to use and ultimately durable. The 1¹⁄₈” SDS chuck is super easy to use and grips the drill bit like a tenacious gorilla. It has the self-explanatory dial to select drill, hammer drill, or hammer only.
The handles are superbly designed, making it quite easy to wield all that power with great control. The large L-shaped handle is padded with a trigger switch at the top for a comfortable, natural working position. You always have precise speed control up to 4,500 RPM and the 360° rotational front handle makes it even easier to work with.
The drill is built to last in demanding situations with a lightweight metal gearbox housing and durable, impact-resistant plastic is used for motor housing and handles. It also has an adjustable metal hanging hook which is perfect when working in high places.
The DeWalt DCH293B faces tough competition from brands like Hilti, Bosch, Makita, and Milwaukee. It can certainly rank proudly among these prestigious brands as one of the best cordless 1¹⁄₈” SDS rotary hammer drills. Okay, Hilti drills are generally considered top of tops, and Bosch Bulldog models are also much revered. Even alongside these mighty titans, the DeWalt DCH293B fares well and is definitely in the running for a gold medal.
Naturally, if you own DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, this would be one of your first choices for a cordless concrete drill. DeWalt has quite a few 20V rotary hammer drills to choose from but this one really hits the mark for its power-to-weight ratio and incredibly compact design. The DeWalt DCH172D2 Atomic is even more impressive when it comes to compact and lightweight design but is not nearly as powerful as the DCH293B.
While this is a pretty expensive SDS rotary hammer drill, it is undoubtedly one of the very best. DeWalt quality and engineering is up there with the cream of the crop, as is their customer service. For a machine of this caliber, you need to be prepared to pay top dollar. I believe you’re getting what you’re paying for – an extremely powerful cordless rotary hammer drill that can endure excruciating punishment for many years to come, without missing a beat.
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