Bosch 1194VSR 1/2-Inch VSR Hammerdrill Only

What's the saying? Three strikes, you're out? Well, this is the 3rd time this drill has died on us. The first one was under warranty and died during light use. The replacement died out of warranty, also under light-moderate use but we were able to get it repaired. This time, I'd just started drilling holes in to brick and after breaking two bit tips, the drill just died. It had been running for less than 2 minutes with breaks for cool down. There wasn't any telling smell of burnt motor, so its probably another electronic problem. I was able to finish the holes lickety-split with a small 3/8 corded drill.

There are some serious design flaws in this equipment. Worked great for serious wood drills, but we won't be repairing it again. It's clearly undependable.

I bought the 6 Amp1194VSR about two years ago to replace my old, heavily used 4.8 Amp 1181VSR hammerdrill which I owned for about nine years. I use the 1194VSR extensively to drill small diameter 1/4" and 3/8" holes in concrete and mortar for conical masonry anchors used to mount conduit straps and metal electrical boxes. In hammer-mode it performs better and faster than my Bosch 3/4" rotary hammer for this type of work, giving a smooth, clean hole with very little run out so anchors fit more snuggly and hold more securely than with holes made with the rotary hammers SDS bits. This is true even with the close-tolerance SDS bits that I use for Tapcon fasteners. The ergonomic handle design of this drill really does help keep your hand from going numb when doing this type of work all day. You and everyone else working around you will definitely want to wear ear protection though, because in "high speed" with hammer mode the screaming sound is most deafening, especially in enclosed areas.
With continuous use, the Bosch's non-metallic motor housing/gear case will get almost as hot as the metal gear case on my Makita HP2010N hammerdrill. This also occurred with my old Bosch 1181VSR and did eventually result in the motor field winding burning out on the old drill. Bosch repaired it free under warranty but I would assume that from the feel of things, with heavy use the same problem could occur with this newer Bosch. Because of the heat factor, I limit my use of this drill to small diameter holes of 5/8" or less in concrete, hole saws of 2" or less in wood and HSS bits 3/8" or less in metal, where it performs exceptionally well. Even with this self-imposed reduction in capacity, I would certainly purchase this hammerdrill again myself and also would have no problem recommending it to other individuals who need to drill holes for small diameter masonry anchors all day. It really is comfortable and light enough to use all day without generating a great deal of undue fatigue. From a safety standpoint, I especially like the fully insulated non-metallic construction. If Bosch could only make some improvement as to eliminate the motors heat problem, this would be, overall, one of the better 3/4" hammerdrills around.

I have read somewhere else (I don't remember where) that this drill overheats. I did not really trusted that review since I had great considereation for bosch (I still do). I went ahead and bought the drill. I have used the drill to make 3 inches long holes thru concrete in percussion mode. However, at each 1/2 inch interval, I would stop (1-2 minutes) to cool down the expensive masonry bit. I would only drill 3-4 holes in a day. In the third day of drilling, the drill overheated and stop functioning. I am assuming that the excessive heat has melted the protective cover on the copper windings, resulting in an internal short circuit. I will take it back to the store where I bought it. I hope for bosch that mine opinion and the other I previously read are a result of just two isolated incidents.