Customer Reviews

Skil 6443 4.6 Amp 1/2-Inch Slugger Hammer Drill

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The value to any tool is relative to its purpose. This drill is versatile. It is equipped with a reverse switch, a hammer on/off switch, and a varialbe speed trigger. Although I found it provided all the torque I needed, it is a bit heavy for rocking. I would suggest it have a level built in and it be sold w/ optional case. A belt hook would also be nice. This drill is a very good buy and I expect it to last for many years.

Bought this product to drill a total of 24 1/2" holes in concrete (yes i used a masonry bit, even used smaller bits for pilots). The FWD/REV switch locked up within 5 holes. THe variable speed trigger operated at either full speed or slow, no in between. By hole # 18, it competely burned out. Wish I had put the $$ down on a reliable unit. Don't waste your $$.

I bought this little beauty at my local superstore, and returned it an hour later. I only had a small project to do and the price was slightly more than double the rental fee for a Bosch 1/2" hammer drill. I figured with a two year warranty I had nothing to lose, all I had to do was use it three times and I would be ahead of the game. (I would never use a hammer drill often enough to justify purchasing the Bosch at three times the price.) I drilled eight holes 4" deep in concrete with this baby, using a brand new 1/2" carbide tipped masonry bit. The motor got hot and started to smell after the first hole. During the eight holes, the chuck loosened up three times, and finally on the ninth hole, thick smoke poured out and I stopped for fear that it was going to burst into flames. I immediately switched to my trusty 10 year old Milwaukee 1/2" drill (which is not a hammer drill, but drilled 12 more holes in about twice the time, without ever getting warm), and finished the job. I don't see how this thing would be good for drilling anything but wood, but if that's all you are doing, spend half the money and buy a rotary drill. If you need a hammer drill for a small project, or don't have much money, RENT one, don't waste your money on this!

I needed a hammer drill to attach ledger boards to my house's concrete foundation. This tool was 10 bucks less to own than a full-day rental would cost at the local Rent-A-Tent. I didn't experience any problems and I poked a dozen holes in the wall. It seemed to work as well as a Makita drill I have used in the past

Of course, when I see a tool start to smoke, I take a break. But that's just me. While I didn't wait for flames to shoot out the side to turn off the drill, I don't deny that more expensive drills with more metal parts will stand up to heavier, more prolonged use. But hey, I already have a good general use drill. I guess the question you have to ask yourself is, how often do you need a HAMMER drill? If you're Harry-Homeowner hanging some peg board in your basement you will appreciate how much better it works on masonry than a regular drill, and it's a bargain to boot.

I bought this hammer-drill to take on the small holes and thereby give my more expensive hammer-drills and rotary-hammers a break. As far as I'm concerned this tool excels in drilling 3/16", 1/4" and 5/16" holes...it's as good as a Milwaukee at a third of the price. I use it for setting the smaller screw anchors in masonry (EMT clamps, electrical boxes, etc.).
I think bigger holes are best left to rotary-hammers anyway because they are so much more efficient. (and costlier!)

THERE IS FIRE! YES, THIS DRILL CAUGHT FIRE. I USED THE DRILL A COUPLE TIMES AND IT WORKED OKAY. THE HAMMER FEATURE DOESNT WORK VERY WELL. IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO DRILL A 3/16 HOLE. THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS THE BIT SO I USED A COUPLE DIFFERENT BRANDS AND STYLES,STILL NOT MUCH LUCK. JUST NOT THE PERFORMANCE I EXPECTED. THOUGHT I COULD LIVE WITH IT BECAUSE ITS SO CHEAP, BUT THE LAST TIME I USED IT, THE DRILL STARTED GETTING HOT. I WASNT DONE DRILLING SO I HAD TO KEEP GOING, WHEN I WOULD LET GO OF THE TRIGGER IT WOULD SMOKE AND YOU COULD SMELL THE HOT PLASTIC. I HAD TO KEEP GOING. THE DRILL SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS GRAVEL IN THE BEARINGS THE MOTOR STOPPED TURNING AND FLAMES CAME SHOOTING OUT THE SIDE. IM STICKING WITH DEWALT FROM NOW ON. UNLESS YOUR GOING TO USE THIS DRILL FOR OCASIONAL VERY LIGHT DUTY I WOULDNT RECOMMEND IT. I HAVE ABUSED MY 14.4V CRAFTSMAN CORDLESS FAR MORE THAN THIS SKIL DRILL, THE CRAFTSMAN BEGS FOR MORE.

I received this 1/2" hammer drill (Model 6443)as a gift and it looked very impressive. The 1st time I attempted to use the drill, the "FWD/REV Switch" did not have any affect on the drill rotation. The drill rotated in a clockwise direction when the reverse lever was pushed to the right or when it was pushed to the left.

Unfortunately, my 1st time to take the drill out of the carton and attempt to use it was beyond the warranty period; therefore, it appears I will have to live with this lemon the best I can or buy another one. I noticed that I am not the only one who had this problem, so I assume it must just be a design deficiency with this Skil Drill.

The hammer feature on this drill, at least on my particular sample, only makes noise. There isn't enough hammer action do really affect the hole drilling performance.

I was trying to drill small diameter holes in my poured concrete garage walls that are 10 years old for Tapcon fasteners to hang shelves. This drill should have been perfect for that, but forget it! Every time I hit a rock, the drill bit stopped stone cold. I burned through 4 NEW masonry drill bits, 2 Tapcon and 2 Bosch brand before I gave up about 6 holes later. I rented a Bosch rotary hammer the next day and it went through the wall like it was made of chalk.

Buying and using this POS drill was THE pivotal moment when I vowed to own a Bosch rotary hammer drill, and $180 later, now I do. Yeah, I know, ironic Bosch owns Skil, oh well. So the Bosch is 3 times more, it WORKS!

I bought this drill in order to set some masonry screws into brick. I have found it to be excellent for this purpose and have had no trouble at all with the tool. I can see that it would be underpowered for heavy work. For someone who just needs something to help with the occasional masonry drilling job this would be the one to get.

Im not impressed with this drill. It's ok with wood but the hammer is not that powerful, and it also neede regular maintenance.