Bosch 11264EVS 1-5/8 SDS-Max Combination Hammer

by Bosch

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Unmatched Power to Weight Ratio - 13 Amps, 8.1 ft-lbs Impact energy & 14.3 lbs – Best performing rotary hammer in its class!

Product Description

Unmatched Power to Weight Ratio - 13 Amps, 8.1 ft-lbs Impact energy & 14.3 lbs – Best performing rotary hammer in its class!; Active Vibration Control™ - Vibration reduction in the hammer mechanism and the grip area provides maximum user comfort for extended periods of work; One-Hand™ SDS-max® - One-hand tool free SDS-max® system makes changing bits easier than ever before while maximizing jobsite productivity; Constant Response Circuitry- Maintains speed under load and overload protection; TurboTM Power — delivers 20% more power in hammer only mode; Vario-Lock™ Positioning - Rotates and locks chisel into 12 different positions; Auto-Max™ variable speed Dial - Ensures maximum speed every time the tool is turned on; Service Minder™ light — indicates when preventative maintenance is required; Patented cord turret - Reduces cord wear; Includes: (1)360 deg. Auxiliary Side Handle and (1) Carrying Case.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 25.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0020ML69K
• Item model number: 11264EVS
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,535 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #4 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Rotary Hammers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Personal Weapon or Most Expensive Tool in Shop?, August 24, 2010

By 

P. Schmidt (Chicago, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bosch 11264EVS 1-5/8 SDS-Max Combination Hammer (Tools & Home Improvement)

As with many homeowners, I have occasional need for a hammer drill-type tool, and have happily rented one for $50 a day as required. Lately, I had a three week project that involved concrete chiseling, asphalt cutting, rebar driving, concrete and cinder block drilling, and tamping of crushed limestone and cold-patch asphalt. Let's see, $50 x 3 x 7 = $1050 = "too much", time to buy the tool that can do all this, assuming it can be had for less than the rental.

After much Googling, reading reviews in tool magazines, talking with tech support at companies such as Bosch, Milwaukee, etc; I decided that what I needed was a tool that primarily is a light weight version of a jackhammer, with the ability to also rotate a cutting bit whilst hammering for certain chores. The solution meant that I needed a rotary hammer, not a hammer drill (former always hammers, but can also turn, latter always turns, but can also hammer...got that?).

Next step was to decide on how big a rotary hammer was needed, and 1-5/8" seemed best after consulting experts. Variable speed was also desirable, as was "SDS-Max" chuck, as apposed to the older spline type chuck; all manufacturers said that spline is dead or dying, and SDS-Max is the new standard, and most bits in the future will be available in this style.

The Bosch model 11264EVS was the closest match, at least in a high quality brand (no Harbor Freight Chinese tools for my shop, not anymore, thanks). Bosch make an otherwise identical rotary hammer that takes the spline bits instead, by the way. The EVS suffix means that it has the variable speed function, but for a few $ less they have one without the EVS.

The SDS-Max is a spring loaded chuck for one-handed tool insertion and removal. Pull back the chuck ring with one hand while holding the hammer with the other hand, and it stays in this 'cocked' position. Simply insert the shaft of the SDS-Max style bit into the chuck, and when the end of the bit reaches the rear of the chuck, the chuck internally snaps closed on it, locking the bit to the tool. To remove the bit, pull back the ring and the bit practically falls out by itself.

The hammer has two indicating lamps; one shows power is on (cord plugged in to power source), and the other lights up when the tool needs service, which is usually when the bearings have worn out. Bosch has a service for replacing these when the go, which is not for a long time; unless you use this every day professionally, you will probably never see this light turned on.

The hammer has two triggers; the top one starts the motor when in hammer-only mode, and acts like the variable speed trigger on a regular electric drill when on rotary hammer mode. The bottom trigger stops the motor when in hammer-only mode. To clarify, in drill (rotary hammer) mode, you squeeze and hold the top trigger, and the amount you squeeze it determines the speed, and in hammer-only mode, any amount of squeeze of the top trigger locks the motor in 'on' at a fixed speed, no need to hold the trigger, and the lower trigger turns the tool off.

There is also a variable speed knob which is used to set the maximum speed the tool can reach when the trigger is fully pressed in (in rotary hammer mode only).

On the top of the hammer if a large knob to select the mode. One position is for rotary hammer mode, the middle position unlocks the chuck's rotation, and the third position is for hammer-only mode. You use the middle position to decide which angle you want the bit locked to when in hammer-only mode (where the hammer is not rotating the bit). There are 12 detents that you can rotate the bit to when the knob is in the middle position, and returning the know to hammer-only position locks the bit in that position.

The hammer has two handles; a fixed handle with anti-vibration shock absorber, and a secondary handle near the chuck. By twisting the secondary handle's grip, it is unlocked and can then be rotated anywhere around the chuck, left, right, up, down, or in between.

Hammer construction seems to be almost all metal with plastic trim and outer housing as required to make it double-insulated. Grips are rubberized.

The hammer itself is pretty quiet, with most noise being made by whatever bit you are using impacting whatever you are using it on.

I bought the concrete chisel, the asphalt cutter chisel, the tamping plate and its rod bit, and the ground rod hammer bit (which I use for sinking rebar deep into the ground). Each of these is priced at about $50, so they add about $200 to the price of the hammer. The hammer comes in a large case made of tough plastic. The case has compartments to hold a tube of oil (which comes with it) and several bits, including large once like the tamping plate and the asphalt cutter; you can probably fit most bits in the case along with the tool itself.

The hammer takes almost 15 amps, so make sure you have a heavy duty extension cord and an outlet on a circuit that is not also running something heavy like a fridge, air conditioner, etc.

This is a first rate quality tool, and you pay for that quality. I am quite pleased with mine.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What I expected and more, July 20, 2011

By 

Analytical Book Reader (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bosch 11264EVS 1-5/8 SDS-Max Combination Hammer (Tools & Home Improvement)

I researched rotary hammers for a month or so, finally settling on the 11264EVS while looking at DeWalts, Milwaukees and a Hilti. I only have a few hours on the unit but so far I am completely satisfied with my purchase. The shock absorbing handle is actually all that it is stocked up to be. I have used older rotary hammers and they can punish your wrists, especially on long days of use. With this unit, just sit back and let the hammer do the work.

The power has been sufficient for my tasks. I drilled a 1-1/4" gas line hole through my 55 yr. old basement wall in about 90 seconds last night with ease. I have also done some drilling in sidewalks and a bit of scaling work. Even with 'turbo' off or the power dialed down - the drill just powers through my jobs.

I would rate the unit at 4.5/5 (Amazon only does 4 or 5). The only complaints I have are that the trigger lock can stay 'on' when the unit is unplugged. The implication is that plugging in the unit without checking the trigger starts the hammer motor. Not a big issue as long as the trigger itself is not activated (i.e. jammed in the 'on' position). Other than that - the carrying case is a bit flimsy and the unit is hard to put back in the case without pinching the power cable. Again - minor if you are aware of it.

So, for a mid-upper range rotary hammers, I can't think of a better unit for the price. I paid $570 USD which included shipping to a US address.

Happy destruction!