Milwaukee’s new M12 dust extractor, aka the HammerVac, attaches to your SDS rotary hammer or hammer drill to provide HEPA-quality dust extraction and filtration. This universal adapter won’t replace large-capacity vacuums (like the newly released Makita Xtract Vac), but it does provide convenient containment for small jobs.
When drilling into brick, block, or concrete, airborne dust poses a personal health hazard and environmental contamination concern. That’s why so many brands have been focusing on masonry dust extraction systems and attachments recently.
Advertisement
The beauty of this universal attachment is that it can be attached to any make or model SDS Plus rotary hammer or hammer drill. It connects to your drill or hammer via a side handle collar, with three sizes available to ensure a proper fit.
A 3-position switch allows for on/off/auto power settings.
The HammerVac is available as a kit (2306-22) for about $200 and bare-tool (2306-20) for about $150.
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
First Impression
I had a chance to preview the HammerVac at Milwaukee’s 2012 media event, and at the time the dust extractor seemed like a great idea. It still seems like a great idea, but I still have a few reservations.
Advertisement
Weight
The HammerVac weighs 3.3 lbs, which is nearly as much as their new M12 rotary hammer. An adapter plus vacuum hose might be easier to deal with when drilling many holes.
What I do like is how the dust extractor attaches to the side of rotary hammers and hammer drills, rather than the bottom as with other brands’ proprietary accessories.
Capacity
While I am slightly concerned about how often the HammerVac needs to be emptied, Milwaukee engineers assured me that the collection chamber can hold quite a bit of dust before it needs attention.
Overall
Masonry dust is nasty stuff to clean up, and you don’t want to breathe it in. A self-contained dust extraction system – especially a universal one that works with other brands’ tools – is a great idea, and I am optimistic that it performs well.
The weight and dust-holding capacity might be an issue for larger jobs, so users will probably want to switch to a full-size vac for heavier usage.
jkrl
The best solution I saw for this problem is from Karcher:
http://www.karcher.com/int/Products/Home__Garden/Vacuums/Drilldust_catcher/16791000.htm
Here is a video of how it works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAPdsrIInzk
I have it for about two years now and it works like a charm. It is compact, light weight and doesn’t add weight to the drill. It’s disadvantages are that you need two hands to place it (one holding the drill). When drilling on the ceiling, some dust may come through. The drill attachments also have the advantage of keeping the drill at a straight angle. It also has a relatively small dust bean, enough for a only few holes.
For DIY, however, it is a perfect solution.
The only down side is that it is available only in Europe (I bought it on a trip).
Stuart
I’ve seen that Karcher device on the web a couple of times, and it does look interesting for DIY use. But its jobsite value is tremendously limited by its 10mm maximum drill bit capacity (<0.4") and how it seems designed to only grip onto smooth painted surfaces.