Engineered with Makita’s Advanced Anti-Vibration Technology (AVT), the HR4013C 1-9/16″ combination rotary hammer delivers impressive power while keeping user fatigue in check. Let’s weigh the pros and cons, look at some specs, and compare it to another popular mid-weight hammer.
Pros
- Great Vibration Control: The AVT system—featuring an air-actuated counterbalance, vibration-absorbing housing, and damper spring—slashes vibration performed as well or better than any hammer we’ve tried.
- Powerful Performance: 8.4 ft-lbs of impact energy is class leading for a mid-weight combination hammer, which will come in handy for chipping and driving ground rod.
- Versatile Operation: Five speed settings and dual-mode functionality (drilling or chipping), enhanced by a lock-on option for continuous chipping.
- User-Friendly Design: Soft start ensures precision, while LED indicators alert you to brush wear or cord issues, minimizing downtime.
- Feature Rich: A 15 ft cord, nice hard case, a depth gauge, and two included handles: one D and one straight.
Cons
- Cost: The Makita HR4013C retails for $759.00, which is higher than the Bosch 11264EVS 1-5/8″ Rotary Hammer, that performed equally well in my testing and retails for only $599.00. That said, both can often be found at significantly discounted sale prices.
Specs
- Motor: 11 AMP
- Impact Energy: 8.4 ft-lbs (11.4 Joules) (Pretty good compared to the 1-9/16″ corded DeWalt 1-9/16″ with 4.5 ft-lbs and the 1-5/8″ corded Bosch with 6.5 ft-lbs.)
- Max Capacity (Concrete Drilling): 1-9/16″ (4-1/8″ with core bit)
- Blows Per Minute (BPM): 1,450 – 2,900 (variable speed)
- Vibration Rating: 5 m/s²
- Weight: Specs at 15.1 lbs but actually weighs 16.5 lbs with the cord, handle, and depth-rod.
- Modes: Hammer and Hammer-Drill
- Features: AVT, soft start, variable speed dial, LED service/power lights
- Best Feature: Lock-on button for Hammer-Mode
Note: The specs on Makita’s site list (Bind-Up Control : No), which I don’t understand because the clutch slips when the blade binds. If any of you guys know the difference, let us know in the comments.
What about the Bosch?
I tested the Makita against the Bosch 11264EVS 1-5/8″ Rotary Hammer and found they performed equally well. Both offer good vibration control, drilled 3/4″ x 4″ deep holes in the same amount of time, and chipped equally effectively, despite the Makita delivering 8.4 ft-lbs of impact energy compared to the Bosch’s 6.5 ft-lbs.
All that said the Makita comes with a 5ft longer cord and the additional D handle. Two very useful things. Also the cord on the Makita smells sweet, where the cord on the Bosch has harsher chemical smell similar to what you get on cheap dolly wheels or super flex aftermarket battery cables.
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Makita HR4013C Rotary Hammer
Bottom Line
The Makita HR4013C is a great tool. It’s a comfortable-to-use workhorse that has a more punch than the Bosch for hammering ground rod. Its vibration-dampening tech and solid specs make it ideal for medium-duty jobs. If you’re in the market for a tool that can handle the toughest tasks without rattling your bones, look the Makita on sale as a solid choice.
See these tools in action below and we’ll see you in the comments.
