I purchased this particular model of Hammer Drill based upon the fact that I owned several other tools of the Dewalt Line. All of the Dewalt tools that I previously owned are of high quality, durable, and more than adequately get the job done. This hammer drill, though, I found to be an exception to the rule! While using it to drill holes in a concrete footing to install anchor bolts, I noticed that it was generating a tremendous amount of heat. It did not take more than a couple of minutes of use to determine that it would soon overheat if I did not use it in short time intervals. I was not applying any excessive pressure on the tool, either, and was allowing the weight of the tool itself and firm gripping pressure to be the determining factor in the depth and speed of drilling. A friend of mine had the same model and had the same result. Anyone know what an electrical motor smells like, when it is on the verge of burning up? The thing still works, and I have used it as needed for the past couple of years, but I think the "wanna-be" owner of a good hammer drill is better off looking at another brand.pHandy Dan

I have had my 505 for about 3 years now and have not had any problems with mine. Most people don't use hammer drills properly and that's why this one has had a bad rep on Amazon.com. Hammer drills are more for smaller holes in concrete and brick and the occasional large hole. The largest hole I think I have ever drilled with mine is 5/16" and the drill will drill these all day long. If you want to drill larger holes in masonry,or want a drill that will do whatever you ask of it, get a rotary hammer. They are designed for more abuse and have a larger capacity.

As a professional home remodeler, I have owned just about every brand of tool out there. The majority of my power tools are Makita and my nail guns are Senco. I own and love the Dewalt 12" compound miter saw and when looking for a 1/2" corded hammer-drill I bought the Dewalt. BIG MISTAKE ! The first one I bought smoked itself after about 15 minutes of moderate use. I brought it back to the dealer and Dewalt replaced it under warranty. I used the replacement drill about three or four times drilling 1/2" anchor bolt holes with no problem. Yesterday, I switched the drill from hammer to straight drilling and the twist lever located near the chuck fell out of the drill along with the pins! The engineers at Dewalt need to take a serious look at this drill's design and quality control. If you are buying a new hammer-drill, this IS NOT the one to buy! I have since bought the Milwaukie 1/2" hammer-drill kit and I am very happy with the quality and construction.

Drill over heated and failed after just 5, 5/32 holes for Tap Con screws. I had to finish the job with my far less expencive Ryobi 18 volt cordless drill.

Being one of a dozen Dewalt tools I've owned, this drill is the first to have failed. The motor sparked its last breath today, before venting a wisp of smoke and then going quiet.
br /
br /The motor overheated easily under a load (quite the smell) and was obviously underrated for many of the jobs I used it for. I wouldn't recommend it for drilling holes greater than 1/4" diameter.
br /
br /Also, the forward/reverse switch broke off during the first week of operation which made changing direction very inconvenient from that point on.
br /
br /Now granted, I mixed thinset w/ this tool and drilled a whole bunch of holes with it. Still, given the quality of most of Dewalt's other tools I expected more. Now I've got to buy another (non-Dewalt) hammer drill.

I use this drill often and it holds up and operates fairly well. This is my second one, the first one I wore out after 4 years of heavy use. For the money a good drill.

For the past month I have been repairing a 20x24 deck out off the back yard. This three year old drill my buddy brought has been a work horse. I was so impressed I bought one the other day. First job was to drill down into the concrete 2 half inche holes 2+ inches deep. This brand new drill with a new bit went into the concrete like it was wet wood. This is my 4th or 5th drill and my first corded one. I expect it to be my last also.

I bought my original DW505 as a rebuild from a tool show at the local Guard Armory in 1997. I have definitely over bit the chuck by more than a half inch in concrete on numerous occasions. The 505 takes it and keeps going. Finally, I wore the chuck pawls down so far that they would not clamp a bit. Went to change the chuck but, I could not get it off. Amazon was running a killer deal on the 505K with the case and roughly the same price I paid for the recon 10 years ago. Say what you will about the plastic gear case. It has never been an issue for me. A thoroughly excellent drill that I would buy again. Obviously, because I did! Amazon's shipping rocks. I have yet to overpay vs. the big boxes. Thanks Guys and Girls!

I've owned and used the Dewalt 505 hammer drill for 10+ years now. It has made me literally 1000's of dollars in work and it's still going strong. Twice I thought it was all done with. Once a wire came loose from the trigger from all the drilling and once the hammer action stopped. Took it all apart and everything in the gearbox looked OK. Put it back together and it worked fine again. I think the ball bearing inside slid out of place is all. Tough little drill for sure. Maybe it's no Hilti TE75, but I didn't have to remortgage a house to buy it either. Enjoy. :)

I used this drill for the first time today to mix up some thinset. Granted a 50 lb bag is a load for any drill. I wasn't halfway into mixing the bag of thinset and I started smelling something burning and started seeing smoke. I backed off and this one went immediately back to Lowes. I exchanged it for the 10 Amp Hammer Drill. Will be curious to see how it handles the challenge. Looked like a great drill on sale for $89.95 at Lowes. Unfortunately performance doesn't match the Dewalt reputation.