Greenworks 24V SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Delivers Budget-Friendly Concrete Drilling And Chipping
Hammer drills have their limitations and when you reach them, it’s time to get your hand on a rotary hammer for bigger holes in concrete and to gain the chipping function. The Greenworks 24V cordless SDS-Plus rotary hammer has an attractive price tag, but can it get the job done? We got it in our hands to find out.
Greenworks SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Performance
Speed and Power
This rotary hammer brushless motor delivers up to 1,000 RPMs, 4,500 BPM, and 2.0 Joules of impact energy (1.48 ft-lbs). Let’s digest those numbers for a minute. The RPM and blow rate are a little on the low side compared to something like Ryobi’s HP Brushless 1-inch rotary hammer. As we’ll see, though, there’s also a pretty big price difference between the two, so we’ll withhold judgment based on that context.
The power level puts this model on par with 1-inch rotary hammers. If you’re new to this class of tool, that’s the maximum recommended bit size. The sweet spot for drilling efficiency is going to be around 5/8-inch and you’ll notice a slowdown as you move up from there even though the tool is perfectly capable of working under those loads.
It’s also an effective range to get into light chipping applications. If you’re cutting a channel in concrete and need to break it into manageable pieces to remove, you can do that. It’s also good for popping up tile on flooring or backsplashes when you’re tackling some DIY repairs or replacements.
Mode Selection
This Greenworks 24V cordless SDS-Plus rotary hammer has a 3+1 mode selection dial like you find on Pro-level models. A dial on the side lets you quickly switch between the three drive settings: Rotary Drilling Mode, Hammer Drilling Mode, and Hammer Mode. In addition to the drive settings, there’s also a position to adjust your chisel angle located between Hammer Drilling Mode and Hammer Mode.
To switch modes, you press the button on the end of the dial and turn it to the mode you want. The button will pop back up as it hits the detent in each mode, so just press it down as you turn to override the modes you want to skip.
Greenworks SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Design Notes
From tip to tail this rotary hammer measures a compact 12.5 inches and stands 8.5 inches tall. It weighs 5.9 pounds as a bare tool and 7.6 pounds with a 4.0Ah battery. You’re perfectly welcome to use the smaller 2.0Ah battery, but in most cases, the additional runtime of the larger battery is the way to go.
One thing that’s a bit different from other cordless rotary hammers is that the battery slides in from the front and locks in a bit toward the front. It balances the tool nicely and is particularly noticeable when you’re drilling horizontally.
The adjustable forward grip aids in keeping the tool stable while in use. Like other rotary hammers, you can rotate the handle 360°. If you find the depth rod gets in the way, you can flip the handle around and reverse its position.
Finally, there’s a two-finger trigger to reduce some of the finger fatigue that can set in when you have applications that keep you working longer.
Additional Features
- Tether ready
- LED light
- Adjustable depth rod
- Compatible with SDS-Plus bits
- Works with all Greenworks 24V batteries
Greenworks 24V Cordless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Price
The Greenworks 24V SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer retails for $129.99 as a bare tool and $159.99 as a kit. The kit includes a single 24V 4.0Ah battery and a charger. We also found a kit on Amazon for $177.99 that adds a few bits to help get you started. Greenworks backs this rotary hammer with a 3-year limited warranty.
We mentioned earlier the price difference between Greenworks and some of your other options. The Ryobi P223 runs $189 as a bare tool or $239 as a kit with a 4.0Ah battery. That’s significant. Even Skil’s brushless RH1704-1A is $199 as a single-battery kit. Essentially, you’re getting the benefits of a brushless rotary hammer at a price we usually only see brushed models. That’s a win.
The Bottom Line
When your DIY projects or home repairs get to the point where you need a rotary hammer, it’s hard to ignore what the Greenworks 24V cordless rotary hammer has to offer for the price. The design is solid and while it’s possible to get higher performance, you’ll need to open up your wallet quite a bit more to get it.
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Greenworks SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Specifications
- Model: Greenworks HMD401
- Power Source: Greenworks 24V battery
- No-Load Speed: 0-1,000 RPM
- Impact Rate: 0-4,500 BPM
- Impact Energy: 2.0 J
- Drilling Capacity: 0.94 in. (concrete), 0.5 in (steel), 1.25 in. (wood)
- Weight: 5.9 lbs. (bare),
- Length: 12.5 in.
- Height: 8.5 in.
- Warranty: 3-year Limited tool warranty
- Price: $129.99 (bare), $175.30 (kit)
