Why DeWalt's Demolition Hammer Power Tool Has DIYers Giddy With Excitement

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Sometimes putting a coat of paint on a wall or refacing kitchen cabinets just isn't going to cut it. More serious action is called for to scratch that DIY itch. Maybe you're still in the phase of thinking about renovating or rebuilding, and which you should do, or maybe plans are more advanced. Chances are, some demolition work is going to be involved, and if you're doing it yourself, you'll be looking for the best tool for the job. If that's the case, you'll want to check out why DeWalt's latest demolition hammer has DIYers giddy with excitement.

There are plenty of tools around that can be called demolition hammers. They might also be known as jackhammers, breaker hammers, chipping hammers, and rotary hammers depending on their function. They range from relatively lightweight models (a bit like overgrown drills) to serious groundbreakers. The model we're focusing on, the DeWalt D25966K Demolition Hammer, falls into the latter category, but whereas many of these tools can be large and cumbersome, the DeWalt packs a lot of power into a very compact unit. The result is something that certainly qualifies as a pro-grade tool but can also be put to great use by DIY enthusiasts. There are a few high-end DeWalt tools worth splurging on, and if you're undertaking a serious renovation or remodel, you might well want to add this to the list.

The DeWalt D25966K Demolition Hammer delivers impressive performance while being as compact and user-friendly as possible. For the technically-minded, it delivers 40 joules of impact energy at 1,000 bpm (blows per minute). In addition to demolishing block and brickwork, it's also powerful enough for breaking asphalt and hard-packed dirt for pipework trenching. Three chisels are included, as is a transport cart.

Perhaps surprisingly, it weighs just 41 pounds, and, thanks to Active Vibration Control (which isolates the user), it's much less tiring to use than many rivals. It also has wireless tool control so it can link to a DeWalt dust extractor, which will then automatically turn on and off as the demolition hammer is operated.

People sometimes wonder whether DeWalt tools are worth the hefty price tag, and at around $1500, this demolition hammer is a considerable outlay. Whether it's worth it will depend on the work you need to do, but it's not difficult to see how it could soon save you money. With labor rates at anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour, you're only looking at 10 to 30 hours of use before the tool has paid for itself. That's less than a week's hard work. If you have serious demolition or groundwork to do, then the DeWalt D25966K Demolition Hammer looks like a very sensible investment.