When you want to drill concrete, brick, stone, or mortar, you need a hammer drill. A good hammer drill is like a little jackhammer in your hands. It practically blasts a hole through tough materials. A corded hammer drill may not be as handy as a cordless one, but you’ll have a tool that’s ready to use whenever you need it. A bonus feature of these two models is that they are versatile. You can turn off hammer mode and use them for regular drilling. Let’s look at these two from DeWalt to see which one is the best for you.
DEWALT DWE5010 1/2-Inch Single Speed Hammer Drill
The DWE5010 is a little less powerful than the DW511 described below, but it will still make repairs around the home go a lot faster. It’s especially handy if you have to install anchors or fasteners in concrete.
The drill has a 7Amp motor that’s powerful enough to take on hardwood, steel, and masonry without stalling. Even better, it has a dual-mode feature so you can turn off the hammer action when you don’t need it.
It has an all-metal ½” chuck so it’s compatible with a wide range of bits. On the downside, it’s not keyless. Remember to attach the chuck key to the drill so you have it available for changing bits.
The DWE5010’s maximum capacity in concrete and steel is ½-inch, while it can handle up to 1-1/4-inches in wood. You can lock on the two-finger trigger so you don’t have to hold it down all the time. That saves your hand from getting tired when you’re doing repetitive drilling.
The drill weighs 4.3 pounds and comes in a pistol-grip style. There is a removable auxiliary handle that rotates 360 degrees around the barrel so you always have the best grip possible. DeWalt also includes a depth rod.
More features of the DeWalt DWE5010 hammer drill
- Drill is 10.3-inches long
- Comes with side handle, depth rod, and chuck key with holder
- DeWalt offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, a 1-year free service contract, and a 3-year limited warranty
DeWalt DW511 1/2″ (13mm) 7.8 Amp VSR Hammer Drill
The DW511 is a step up in power from the DWE510 described above. It has a more powerful 7.8Amp motor rated at 650 unit-watts-out. Like the other drill, this one is dual-mode. You can use it as a hammer drill, or turn off the hammering action to use it as a regular drill.
It comes in the same pistol-grip style as the other drill, and it’s about an inch longer. It has a two-finger trigger which does a lot to keep your hand from getting tired when you have a lot of drilling to do. It’s also a variable-speed trigger that gives better control when you start up. The maximum rotational speed is 46,000rpm when you’re using the hammer action. There is an option to lock the trigger on, but be careful using this option if you are drilling by hand. The bit could bind in the hole and cause you to be injured. If you plan to use the lock-on feature a lot, consider mounting the drill in a drill press.
The maximum drilling capacity of the DW511 is the same as the DWE5010. It can handle up to ½” in metal and concrete and 1-1/4” in wood. The difference between them is how long each one takes to complete tasks. The DW511 is more powerful so it will finish the same drilling job faster than the DWE5101.
It comes with a removable side handle that rotates 360 degrees and a depth rod (or depth gauge). It also comes with a chuck key because you’ll need one to change bits. On the bright side, the DW511 has a rugged, all-metal chuck.
More features of the DeWalt DW511 hammer drill
- Drill measures 11-1/2-inches long and weighs 4.3 pounds
- Comes with depth rod, chuck key, and auxiliary handle
- DeWalt offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, a 1-year free service contract, and a 3-year limited warranty
Recommendation
The main difference between these two drills is power. Their maximum drilling capacities are the same in metal and concrete.
You can turn off the hammer mode on both models and then use them as regular drills. You can also mount them like a drill press and lock on the triggers. These features make them very versatile.
If you don’t need top speed for tasks, and the price is right, get the DWE5010.
If you prefer a faster drill, get the DW511.
Click here to purchase DEWALT DWE5010 on Amazon!
Click here to purchase DeWalt DW511 on Amazon!