The HITACHI DH24PC3 rotary hammer model is not new on the power tool market. Currently, more powerful products from this manufacturer are also on sale. However, the model cannot be called a modest "middle peasant". In the line of light rotary hammers HITACHI DH24PC3 occupies a leading position and is in high demand among buyers. What caused such interest, you can find out by examining in detail the characteristics of the tool and studying customer reviews. Which we will do.
First meeting
The product comes standard with a shock-resistant plastic case. Considering that rotary hammers are used mainly for professional use, there is no question of transporting the tool to the place of work. The inner space of the case is divided into several compartments, which allows you to store drills, drills and other useful accessories. However, accessories are not included in the scope of delivery. In addition, there are no special mounts for drills inside the case.
The puncher itself looks quite imposing: the alternation of black, green and white inserts on the body, the ribbed surface. Due to the design, this model was dubbed "sneaker". Upon initial inspection, the instrument really resembles sports shoes.
There are no rubberized inserts on the handle of the model, but the tool still fits comfortably and securely in the hand, thanks to the corrugation. By the way, the product is equipped with a pistol grip, where the main controls are located. In particular, the start key, the rotation direction switch (reverse), the power-on lock. The operating mode switch is located at the bottom front of the housing. It is equipped with a lock, so to switch it is necessary to press the button, then turn the regulator arrow in the desired direction.
Please note that the HITACHI DH24PC3 model is equipped with an additional handle. This element is used to perform complex work, an additional handle is fixed in any direction.
It may be noted that the manufacturer's nameplate indicates the place of assembly of the tool: TOKIO JAPAN. This model costs about 7,000 rubles, which is quite good for the original "Japanese". Consider the filling of this device.
General specifications
Immediately, we note that the characteristics of the perforator look quite decent. Even taking into account the fact that the model has not been a novelty for a long time, in terms of technical equipment, the instrument is quite capable of competing with more modern counterparts. So, let's begin.
HITACHI DH24PC3 is a corded puncher equipped with a pneumatic type impact mechanism. The type of power source is indicated by the power cord that comes out from the bottom of the tool's handle. Battery operation is not available. The power consumption of the product is 800 W, while the nominal impact force is 3.2 J. According to these indicators, HITACHI DH24PC3 surpasses such popular models of lightweight rotary hammers as BOSCH GBH 2400 or MAKITA HR24500.
The model has one working speed, but at the same time there is the possibility of adjusting the rotation of the spindle. The maximum number of revolutions of the drill at idle is 1,150 rpm, the number of strokes is 4,600 per minute.
To fasten the drill, the SDS-PLUS keyless chuck is used. This design securely fixes the drill in the grooves, completely eliminating the rotation of the shank.
Useful options include:
- Drilling depth limiter (included in delivery).
- Reverse rotation. Provides the release of the drill in case of clamping.
- Screwdriver function. This greatly expands the functionality, allowing you to work with fasteners. To take advantage of this feature, you need a replacement cartridge, which is purchased separately.
Please note that the structural weight of this device is only 2.5 kilograms (excluding accessories). Given the compact dimensions, the model is optimally suited for working at heights.
Operating modes
Like most similar products, HITACHI DH24PC3 has three working modes:
- drilling.
- Impact drilling.
- Chiselling.
In principle, this is quite enough to carry out all types of repair work, including engineering communications and the dismantling of old finishing coatings.
It should be noted that when working with various types of building materials, there are maximum allowable hole diameters. For instance:
- Wood - 32 mm.
- Concrete and brick - 24 mm.
- Metal - 13 mm.
These parameters are declared by the manufacturer, so you should not exceed the recommended values. Exceeding the permissible load on the impact mechanism can lead to failure of the motor brushes. The case is not guaranteed, so the cost of repairs is entirely the responsibility of the consumer.
Strengths
Any tool, including HITACHI DH24PC3, has its advantages and disadvantages. User reviews help to form an opinion about the tool, which reveal all the existing problems during operation. Let's start with the sweet.
- Appearance. Useless at first glance, but rather original design of the tool, brings the first point to the Hitachi puncher. Therefore, the appearance a la "sneakers" is fully justified.
- Ease of use. For a rotary hammer, the HITACHI DH24PC3 model looks quite compact. Dimensions: 430*95*310 mm. In addition, it is possible to note a relatively small structural mass, a keyless chuck and the installation of additional seals inside the body. The last nuance eliminates the possibility of lubricant leakage (a problem with many rotary hammers). The body of the model is collapsible, which allows you to independently carry out minor repairs, but we do not recommend doing this before the warranty period expires.
- Performance. An impact energy of 3.2 J, combined with a motor power of 800 W, is enough for complex jobs. However, the puncher is more designed for domestic use.
- Functionality. These include four operating modes (including a screwdriver), a long network cable, an additional handle with the ability to rotate around its axis by 360 degrees. The function of adjusting the spindle speed also looks good, which allows you to choose the optimal mode of operation, depending on the material.
- Reliability. The rotary hammer housing has a built-in protection that protects the motor from overheating and sudden power surges.
Design flaws
HITACHI DH24PC3 also has weaknesses, as evidenced by negative customer reviews. Here's what we managed to find out:
- Poor build quality. Note that problems with factory defects are found in models that went on sale after 2011. Until that time, buyers had no complaints about the build quality. Perhaps this is due to the sale of a defective batch.
- Expensive service. If you try to repair the product yourself, two big problems arise: the lack of original spare parts on the market (others do not fit) and the high cost of parts.
- Overheating of the engine when working with concrete floors. There really is such a problem, it occurs when using a crown for drilling concrete. In defense of HITACHI DH24PC3, we can say that the product was not originally intended for this type of work: a more powerful tool is required here. However, given that we are talking about a perforator, we mark this problem as a significant minus.
- Network connection cable. With prolonged use, the cord literally breaks at the point of docking with the handle.
- Impact energy is lost. The problem does not occur with all products, so perhaps we are talking about a defective batch, which was mentioned in the first paragraph.
Conclusion
In principle, HITACHI DH24PC3, despite its age, remains quite a competitive rotary hammer. In terms of ease of use and power, the model has practically no complaints and deserves the highest score. In addition, the product continues to work stably with a long period of use, once again confirming the quality of Japanese instruments.
However, negative reviews spoil the positive picture a little. If you listen to the opinion of consumers, then after the expiration of the warranty period, it is better not to repair the product: buying a new puncher will cost less. Note that, subject to the rules of maintenance and operation, repairs may not be required for a long time.
Summarize. HITACHI DH24PC3 is a fairly powerful and reliable tool designed for home use. Therefore, the model is awarded an evaluation of 8 points out of 10 possible.
