BHC 18 Video Demonstration and Review

[Stone Message]

Hello Everyone

Festool UK invited me to take a look at the BHC 18 Cordless SDS Hammer drill - it is a lovely piece of kit and well up to the standard that we expect from Festool.

They will be collecting it in a couple of weeks time which is a great shame.

Here is the link:



Peter

 

[mike68au]

Brilliant review as usual Peter many thanks..... looking forward till August when we can get our hands on them. 

 

[pettyconstruction]

Great review Peter,
The dill looks very well made and powerful.
I have a hammer drill that's falling apart,but I only use it for about 3-6 holes a year,so it will do. Until it breaks that is.

 

[jonny round boy]

Peter,

Nice review as usual. I really like the vibration-dampening front section - I didn't even realise it did this!

Just wanted to make a couple of points:

Firstly, I have the vac attachment thingy that sucks to the wall - it's awesome! But, in your video you put the 27mm hose end into the angled adapter. You don't need that - you can actually remove it by rotating it round to the back and it slides out, and the 27mm hose end fits perfectly. The adapter is (presumably) to accommodate different hose end diameters. Taking the adapter off makes it hold even better too, as the hose is at a more natural downward angle.

Secondly, and I must admit I haven't watched the video in full yet (just skimmed through it) but I didn't see you mention the lack of a chisel function (rotary stop, hammer only) on the drill.

This, in my opinion, is the biggest ****-up Festool could possibly have made with this machine. How could they release a machine this good, but completely ignore a vital function like this? I mentioned this (back when the release was first delayed) to a Festool rep, and was given the company line of "well, we've done extensive research, and found it's not necessary on a battery powered SDS". That's complete bull, and the look on the guy's face as he said it told me he knew it too.

The 'research' that they did showed that a battery powered SDS wasn't the correct tool for demolition work, and that a heavier, mains powered drill should be used for this. If you're demolishing brick walls every day then yes, that's true. But, as a kitchen and bathroom fitter, one of the main 'demolition' jobs I come across is removing tile - and a lightweight, battery powered chiselling tool is the perfect tool for this! There are also loads of other light demo jobs that you could do with an 18V machine. Having said that, another fitter & I did take down a brick chimney breast in a kitchen with nothing more than an old 24v Makita. It was really a bit too big a job for that tool, but it did it!

They can't even say that it's not possible to put a rotary stop on this machine either - the gearbox used on this drill is lifted directly from an older Protool model, and they also did a version of that drill with rotary stop. So they could easily have done it, but chose not to! Utter madness!!!

I can in all honesty say that if it had that function, I'd own one already. I know a couple of people who are of the same opinion as me, and who would have bought them. Instead, they both own Makita 18V SDS drills that do have rotary stop. At the moment, I still use my mains SDS, as I really don't want to buy a battery tool that's not compatible with the Festool 18V system, but I can't justify buying the BHC18 as it is.

I'm desperately hoping Festool realise the mistake they've made and bring out another version with the rotary stop, but I'm not holding my breath.

[sad]

 

[TelcoRandy]

I wasn't even thinking about a rotary stop when the BHC 18 was first announced, but jonny round boy swayed me. I figured I was going to buy the BHC 18 if it came out in North America, now I decided not to because it wouldn't be very different from my Milwaukee M12 Rotary Hammer drill (the biggest holes I've ever had to make is 1/2" so it suites me just fine).

I read this in an earlier thread of yours JRB on this rotary stop business:

I asked a rep from bosch about why some drill had this and some didn't a few years back, I was told the drilling action is greater in those without it. Dunno if it's true

I wonder if anyone would know of this is true? If it is then perhaps that was the reason why Festool decided not to add it? I'm a little disappointed though, I expected more from Festool than a SDS+ drill with a Starmix vacuum attachment and a Centrotec SDS chuck accessory. But, at least we can take comfort in the fact that it'll be rock solid and made in Germany by non-slave workers that don't have their human rights violated on an ongoing basis.

I would get more excited if Festool made a run-of-the-mill cordless reciprocating saw, then I could give my brother my 18V Makita tools. I don't think that's on the horizon though as Festool seems to cater more toward people outside of the world of demolition.

 

[mike68au]

The lack of Chisel function i thought would be a deal breaker for me, but the more i think about it the less it concerns me.  
I currently have the Makita Brushless 18v Rotary hammer, this unit has the rotary stop function. It's a fantastic drill and i use it every day since i'm always drilling into brick walls.
I generally use 6-22mm bits but also 50mm core bits and even 60mm Multi Construct Core cutters (2 different styles of Core Drills ) - The Makita handles them all with no complaints.   Now even though i have the rotary stop function i have only used it on a handful of occasions, and for very light duties.  The reason i avoid using the function is what has happened to my 240v Bosch 3 mode Rotary Hammer drill.

Since brick construction is the staple here in Western Australia as an AV installer i have to get cables hidden, and on occasion cutting or wall chasing the Brick walls is required - so after doing the a wall chase i usually chisel out the brick with my Bosch as it is the more powerful uint.... does the job no problems no complaints. That is till i have to use the Bosch as a Drill again - the small bits 6mm-10mm are no problem but as soon as i start using the larger diameter bits any type of resistance the drill clutches, it didn't do this when i first bought the drill and only started doing it after i had been using the chisel function on a semi-regular basis.  It has become so bad that i now just use it in Rotary Stop/Chisel mode only unit since my Makita 18v can do the drilling functions i need - I feel the use of Chisel function has caused the issues i'm having with it, and this also now stops me from wanting to use the chisel function on the Makita.
I haven't done a large amount of research but in my discussions with Rep's on the 3 Mode drills most agree with me that using the Rotary stop function causes issues in the long term.... it's only there for very light duties.

Last weekend i was helping demo a kitchen and had to remove tile, pulled out the Makita to see how it would go, didn't even get the first tile of before i walked out and got the Bosch ( tiles are usually glued to cement plaster over brick here, a little harder to get off ) the Bosch did it easily.

Anyways I have come to the conclusion form my own personal experience that there is a tool for a specific job, a Drill for drilling and a Chisel for Chiselling.  I don't want to happen to my Makita what happened to the Bosch, so the lack of Rotary Stop/Chisel on the BHC18 is of little concern for me, i want a light compact Rotary hammer drill to be used just as that - a Drill.  
It's similar to my logic for choosing the DRC18 over the PDC18, I didn't need the Percussion function as i use a rotary hammer drill instead.

My Makita is perfect to keep using for many more years but since all my other drills are Festool i would like to condense to the one battery platform. and save having to carry as many batteries as i currently have to.   When i need the chisel it's of to the Van and grab the Bosch.

If you only have light chiselling to do, having the Rotary stop function can be a benefit on a cordless tool, but I feel using it to much is not good for the primary function which is drilling.  
What would be great is if a company came out with a small dedicated 18v+ small Demolition Hammer.  

 

[Stone Message]

Jonny Round Boy has started an interesting debate.

Just to get it out of the way... the reason I kept the hose adapter on was to have the swivel action to move the hose out of the way.

The chisel function is something that I did not think important until the posts above.

I do not know anything about Festool's decision to omit it but is could be done with an after market adapter. I had a very old machine like that a long time ago (I think - I might have borrowed it).

My Bosch semi industrial SDS machine (late 1980s to late 1990s) also had a gearbox failure after I spent a couple of days breaking some concrete. I avoid using the feature mow on my current Bosch (SDS bought in 2005). I now use a big breaker bar for concrete and a hammer with various chisels for normal stuff. I can see the advantage for light work but nobody would stick to it and everyone would be going full tilt into concrete. An after market adapter would overcome this.

Peter

 

[TelcoRandy]

Hey Peter, I never would've thought that such an adapter would exist until you mentioned it here. I was able to find this chipping adapter you were talking about on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.ca/Bosch-2607018296-SDS-plus-Chipping-Adapter/dp/B000A8PIV8

I didn't know this 90 degree angle adapter existed either.
http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=RHA-50

 

[Stone Message]

Hey Peter, I never would've thought that such an adapter would exist until you mentioned it here. I was able to find this chipping adapter you were talking about on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.ca/Bosch-2607018296-SDS-plus-Chipping-Adapter/dp/B000A8PIV8

I recognise the adapter - my old Bosch (the one that died) had one. I imagine the fitting is the industry standard (43mm ?? or whatever). It seemed to work with no problems on the old Bosch but who knows if chiselling caused the machine to fail.

Peter

 

[jools]

I am going to a Festool hands on demo of the pdc and bhc tomorrow at my local supplier. I think I will nail my credit card to the work bench before I go!

 

[Kev]

Dear Peter,

The music scared me .. I wasn't ready for that and the volume on my PC was high. You owe me me trousers.

Kev.

PS Great review, looks like another Systainer coming home to roost - and I'm 2 away from the magic number!

 

[Stone Message]

Dear Peter,

The music scared me .. I wasn't ready for that and the volume on my PC was high. You owe me me trousers.

Kev.

PS Great review, looks like another Systainer coming home to roost - and I'm 2 away from the magic number!

Hi Kev

Sorry about the trousers - I thought that music might catch people's attention.

If you buy this machine then remember...

I only make videos of kit that I am prepared to recommend to my very best friends. I really do recommend this machine to you. I just wish that Festool had not arranged for its collection!

The vibration damping is brilliant and I found that despite my arthritic wrists that it is a joy to use.

Peter

 

[jools]

On the omission of rotary stop my first makita only lasted a couple of years because of occasional breaker use. The current one used only as a sds is five years old. Same model. My entire makita 18v drill collection is nearing the end of its life with only pattern batteries left and most have had at least one replacement chuck. I bought a 50 quid wicks special corded breaker and that is good enough for my occasional use.

 

[Kev]

Dear Peter,

The music scared me .. I wasn't ready for that and the volume on my PC was high. You owe me me trousers.

Kev.

PS Great review, looks like another Systainer coming home to roost - and I'm 2 away from the magic number!

Hi Kev

Sorry about the trousers - I thought that music might catch people's attention.

If you buy this machine then remember...

I only make videos of kit that I am prepared to recommend to my very best friends. I really do recommend this machine to you. I just wish that Festool had not arranged for its collection!

The vibration damping is brilliant and I found that despite my arthritic wrists that it is a joy to use.

Peter

Honestly Peter, I'd buy based on your positive review without further thought!

Most "youngies" don't appreciate things like vibration dampening, but they will in the years that follow!

I've got the Protool CHP 26 Plus as a corded SDS - it has a chisel lock and it's relatively light. It'll be perfect for teaching my son how to lift a tiled bathroom floor [wink] but I like to go untethered as much as possible these days!

Kev.

 

[SittingElf]

Kev said:

................ but I like to go untethered as much as possible these days!

Kev.

Me too...but I live in a hot, temperate climate and when I go "untethered" I can't wear loose shorts anymore! [big grin] [jawdrop]

 

[joiner1970]

Nice tool , had a go of one last year sometime at a demo day. Too expensive though I'd rather spend the money on a Hilti. My cheaper Makita 18v sds is almost as good for a fraction of the price.

I do love the vac thingy though, didn't know they did them. I'm always drilling holes over mega expensive carpets or furniture. Have to get a helper to hold the hose but not anymore

 

[johnrichardson]

Dear Peter,

The music scared me .. I wasn't ready for that and the volume on my PC was high. You owe me me trousers.

Kev.

PS Great review, looks like another Systainer coming home to roost - and I'm 2 away from the magic number!

Hi Kev

Sorry about the trousers - I thought that music might catch people's attention.

If you buy this machine then remember...

I only make videos of kit that I am prepared to recommend to my very best friends. I really do recommend this machine to you. I just wish that Festool had not arranged for its collection!

The vibration damping is brilliant and I found that despite my arthritic wrists that it is a joy to use.

Peter

Great Videos  Peter! I bought  a BHC this morning and was very impressed . Heres a quick look at the features there a part 2 as well with drilling and options to use centrotec/jacobs chuck with the sds adapter.

 

[festivus]

Thanks for the review Peter, and jrichardson6 (useful to see centrotec adapter).

I have a PDC and the hammer action is pretty good. But what sort of corded SDS drill would the BHC equate to?

I have a Ryobi 600w SDS which will beat the PDC hands down drilling into tough lintels for example. It would be great to see a comparison of the PDC and BHC. The BHC is available as a basic with no batts etc - under £200 ex VAT so quite tempted if it means can really ditch cordered SDS?

Thanks!

 

[Stone Message]

I cannot answer that as I have no visibility of the rest of the market. Perhaps others can contribute.

Peter

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I recently fitted a kitchen and lowered a ceiling in an apartment with really tough hard concrete walls. The BHC 18 did a great job in the 6/8mm range and did actually drill as fast as my colleagues corded Atlas Copco drill. Sure, my Bosch corded SDS hammer drill is faster but the BHC 18 did the job.

Since I have a C15 I was running the drill with the C15 batteries so the BHC 18 was not used to its full potential. I also used the BHC 18 for holesaws up to 68mm in light concrete and wood as well as mixing grout/plaster so I must say I am impressed with it.

(I had to manually chisel down some old tiling but it wasn't that much anyway and it came down nicely since I have a broad head chisel for that.)

EDIT:

I have now drilled some 8 to 10mm holes in very hard concrete and I have compared it to the Bosch 18V "equivalent". They perform more or less the same - both are great machines. The BHC18 is MUCH easier on the hands though. The Bosch is fine, but the BHC18 is very smooth in action. It feels like the BHC18 drills slower but after clocking them they are very similar in drilling depth/hole size and drilling time.