Drilling Concrete at Home: SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Guide (Makita DHR183 vs DEVON 5401)

Most walls and ceilings in Hong Kong flats are reinforced concrete. Putting up a shelf, a TV bracket or an air-conditioner bracket means drilling into it, and an ordinary drill, even one with a hammer mode, struggles. The right tool is an SDS-Plus rotary hammer (電錘).

Why a rotary hammer?

A hammer drill vibrates the bit with small, fast taps. A rotary hammer uses a piston to strike the bit with much more force, so it breaks up concrete instead of grinding it. The SDS-Plus chuck locks the bit in with a click and lets it slide back and forth with each blow. The result: faster holes with less pushing.

Makita DHR183

The Makita DHR183 is a compact 18mm SDS-Plus rotary hammer on the 18V LXT battery platform.

• Brushless motor runs cooler during long drilling sessions
• Compact enough to use one-handed, including overhead
• The kit (DHR183RTWJ) includes two 5.0Ah batteries, a fast charger, a case and the DX16 dust extraction system, which catches concrete dust as you drill
• Also available as a bare tool if you already own Makita 18V batteries

DEVON 大有 5401-Li-20RH

The DEVON 大有 5401 is a 20V brushless SDS-Plus rotary hammer with four modes: hammer drilling, chiselling, chisel angle adjustment and drilling.

• 1.7J impact energy, up to 4,500 blows per minute
• Drills concrete up to 22mm, steel 13mm and wood 28mm; best range 6–12mm
• Chisel mode for removing tiles and chipping concrete
• 2.1kg without battery, with an anti-vibration side handle

Which one?

• You already use Makita 18V tools: the DHR183 shares your batteries, and the kit's dust extraction is ideal for drilling in a lived-in home.
• You need chiselling, or want a lower-cost entry: the DEVON 大有 5401.

Note that Makita and DEVON 大有 batteries are not interchangeable, so it makes sense to stay on one battery platform.

Safety and good practice

1. Check for hidden water pipes and electrical cables before drilling, especially near sockets, switches and in kitchens and bathrooms.
2. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask.
3. Start without hammer mode to mark the spot, then switch to hammer drilling.
4. Check your building's permitted renovation hours with the management office before noisy work.
5. Use the right wall plugs and anchors for the load.

See all our rotary hammers and impact wrenches, or ask us in our Fo Tan shop which bits and anchors you need.