Bosch 11224VSR 7/8-Inch SDS-Plus Bulldog Rotary Hammer

I bought the 11224VSR to replace my old 11212VSR, which I have owned for about ten years. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the new 11224 is made in Germany, especially since these days so many power tool manufactures are shifting operations to Mexico, China and Taiwan. Even the free promotional SDS-Plus bit set that was included with the kit when I bought it is German made.
The 6.9 Amp motor and stop-rotation feature make the 11224 excellent for light chipping and scaling with 3/4"or 1-1/2"wide chisels respectively. It is reversible, so it is ideal for installing and removing light to medium duty small masonry fasteners. The 7/8" solid bit capacity gives it the ability to make a hole in concrete large enough for pass 1/2" EMT through. With the available, impact rated 1/2" locking geared chuck adapter, you can use the tool for drilling in wood or metal in the rotation only setting or with standard straight shank percussion masonry bits in the hammer/rotation mode. The adapter is not something that I use all the time but was glad to have had it on several occasions because it kept me from having to stop what I was doing and run out to the truck to grab a regular 1/2" drill just to make a couple of holes in a metal enclosure or 2X floor joist.
I also use it with the 1-1/8" and larger Bosch thin-wall core bits with an 11-7/8" shank for drilling through ceramic, granite and marble tile floors and poured concrete walls to run conduit and pipe. The Bosch thin-wall core bits are sometimes hard to find locally and are also expensive, but are well worth it because they make very clean holes and substantially increase the capacity of this small hammer.
In addition, my larger Bosch 1-1/2" spline-drive hammer with a standard heavy-wall core bit just hits to hard and will almost always damage ceramic or expensive granite and marble tiled floors.
The only thing I don't care for is the plastic storage case that comes with the 11224 hammer. It is flimsy and just lets everything inside fly around.
It doesn't have the sliding tray for smaller bits up to 6" and separate compartment for longer bits and attachments or the secure latches of the superb metal case made by Merriam Manufacturing that came with my older Bosch 11212. Plastic cases have do their merits and are sometimes superior to metal cases for storage of some power tools but in my opinion, they are generally not a good idea for most rotary hammers, which usually require many different sizes and lengths of bits, attachments and boxes of fasteners to be used and stored with them.
Other than that one complaint, I feel that the 11224 is easily the best and most versatile 7/8" SDS rotary hammer on the market and would have no problem recommending it to anyone.

I do a lot of brick work, and found myself having to install footings over and in a lot of hardpan. I bought the Bosch Rotary Hammer hoping I could avoid all the pick work which was killing my back. I have to say this machine worked great. I used a chisel bit and it cut through the hardpan like butter. I was able to form my footings by cutting the exact size in the hard soil. I am writing this review because after a couple of weeks of 8 hour days using this Hammer, I realized that in addition to saving my back, the machine was quite durable.

Later I cut through a bunch of cement flashing along my house foundation to lay some footings and again the Bosch did a great job. Oh.. I did try drilling some holes in concrete with complete success. I recommend the Bosch rotary hammer, one of my favorite tools!!

I think of the times I've spent over the years leaning with all my might on a regular drill trying to punch holes in masonry. Little did I know, but using a regular drill on masonry is akin to pushing a nail into wood rather than hitting it.

I started to catch on when I opted for the hammer drill version of my recent cordless drill purchase. Pleased with the performance of that machine, I decided to move up to this Bosch corded rotary hammer for some bigger holes I needed. I have not been disappointed. In fact, the first time I used this unit, I was dumbfounded by the ease in which it tore 1/2" holes into some old concrete. With this unit, I'd have to rate boring in concrete as at least as easy as boring in wood, and much easier than boring in steel.

Yes, it's a lot of money for someone like me who will use it only occasionally. I think what won me over was the versatility of this machine, with the light chipping function as well as the capability to be a high torque regular 1/2" vsr drill. (With the purchase of the adapter - about forty bucks).

At least now I'll be looking for reasons to drill into concrete rather than looking for reasons to avoid it!