DeWalt 60V MAX 27 lb SDS‑Max inline chipping hammer

Why I reached for a cordless 27‑lb chipping hammer

I spent a week taking up sections of slab and cutting pockets in a stem wall for a retrofit, and I purposely left the generator and cords in the trailer. The goal was simple: see if a heavy, cordless chipping hammer could keep pace with typical horizontal and downward concrete work without turning the day into a battery‑swapping slog. This 60V DeWalt chipping hammer surprised me in a few meaningful ways—and reminded me where corded still has an edge.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the case, the tool’s inline layout and rear handle make its intent clear: it’s built for working into floors and mid‑to‑lower walls where you want to lean your body behind the tool. At 27 lb and about 30 inches long, it’s substantial but not unwieldy, especially once a wide chisel or scaling bit is locked into the SDS‑Max nose. The SDS‑Max interface is what you’d expect—quick, positive engagement and easy bit indexing.

The kit I used included two FLEXVOLT 15 Ah packs and DeWalt’s fast charger. That’s important, because big batteries are what make a 27‑joule hammer viable without a cord. Pairing the tool to a compatible dust extractor via Wireless Tool Control took a minute or two: hold the buttons, wait for the LEDs, done. I also ran the DWH053 dust shroud where it made sense. For demolition and chasing that produces long chips, a shroud won’t catch everything, but on horizontal surfaces it substantially reduced airborne fines and cleanup time.

Power and performance

Impact energy is rated up to 27 J with 1,350–1,620 blows per minute. In practice, the tool has the punch I expect from a corded chipping hammer in this weight class. On the slab, a 3‑inch wide chisel broke up 2–3 inch concrete cleanly without babying the tool or overdriving it. For pockets in a stem wall, I switched to a narrower point and the hammer made steady progress without stalling. The tool keeps impacts consistent under load; it doesn’t exhibit the “soft touch” you sometimes find on lighter cordless rotary hammers where you have to coax the bit back into the cut.

I wouldn’t choose it as a primary breaker for deep, thick concrete all day—that’s more the realm of a heavier demolition hammer or a jackhammer—but for chipping out up to about five inches, scaling, removing slab or curb sections, and trench prep, the performance is squarely in the professional range. The tool’s sweet spot is flattening and separating, not brute punching through rebar‑laden structural elements.

Ergonomics and control

The rear handle design is the right call for the intended work. Pushing into the floor or a horizontal joint is natural and secure, and the tool stays aligned without fighting the bit. The front grip and housing give enough room to choke up when you want more finesse. Balance is slightly nose‑heavy with a scaling bit installed, which helps the tool stay planted and work under its own weight. Over long sessions, that weight works for you on the floor and against you on walls; after shoulder‑height chipping, I was ready to set it down. This isn’t an overhead tool, and DeWalt doesn’t position it as one.

Controls are straightforward—no clutter or confusing modes. The hammering action engages cleanly, and the tool ramps into a consistent BPM without drama. Bit changes are quick, and the chuck feels tight and precise, even with wider chisels that can amplify slop on cheaper noses.

Vibration, dust, and noise

The published chiseling vibration is 6 m/s², and my hands agree it’s notably less fatiguing than older corded hammers in the same impact class. The active vibration control does its job; I could run longer without the tingling that tells you to take a break. It doesn’t eliminate vibration, but the reduction is meaningful for a 27‑lb tool.

Noise is 105 dB(A) at the tool, which is in line with what your ears (and neighbors) will tell you. It’s loud, and hearing protection isn’t optional. Concrete work is inherently messy, so dust management matters. With the DWH053 attachment and a compatible extractor, collection is effective on flatwork and when chasing shallow runs. The Wireless Tool Control link is a small but real quality‑of‑life improvement; the vac kicking on automatically saved steps and kept me more likely to use dust collection consistently.

Runtime and charging

Runtime is the question everyone asks about cordless in this class, and the honest answer is “it depends.” Using the included 15 Ah packs, I was able to complete typical cuts and chips in bursts—remove a section, sweep, reposition—before swapping. For continuous chipping on hard concrete, expect to change batteries regularly. For intermittent chipping mixed with layout and cleanup, the cadence feels manageable. The fast charger gets the large packs back online in roughly an hour plus, so running two or three packs in rotation kept me moving through the day without a cord.

If you’re planning all‑day heavy demolition, plan your battery strategy: extra packs, charging close to the work, and a corded backup if the schedule is tight. For targeted demo, service work, and remodel tasks where mobility and setup speed matter, the cordless convenience outweighs the runtime penalties.

Practical productivity tips

• Match the bit to the task: a wide spade for scaling, a 3–4 inch chisel for slab breakup, and a point or narrow chisel for starting pockets.
• Let the tool’s weight work; don’t lean so hard that you stall the bit or transfer vibration into your shoulders.
• Use dust collection on flatwork; the shroud is worth the setup time and keeps the site cleaner.
• Pair the tool and vac so you actually use dust extraction. The auto‑start makes it painless.
• Check the bit indexing; a small rotation can reduce binding and improve chip flow.

Durability and serviceability

The brushless motor and simple control layout give me confidence on longevity. There’s no cord to nick and no brushes to replace. The SDS‑Max chuck has stayed tight and precise. The tool is “tag‑ready,” which is handy if you manage a fleet and need to track it. As for warranty, two years is decent, though some competitors offer longer coverage on similar tools and batteries.

What I’d change

• Weight and reach make it awkward above waist height; an auxiliary side handle option with more adjustability could help on walls.
• A speed or soft‑start selector would add finesse on brittle masonry, even if I ran it at full BPM most of the time.
• Battery status visibility could be better while you’re mid‑cut; flipping the tool to check the pack is a small interruption.

None of these are deal‑breakers, but they’re areas where refinements would add value.

Who it’s for

• Concrete and demo crews needing a cordless option for floor work, slab repair, scaling, and pockets up to a few inches.
• Remodelers and plumbers who value fast setup and no cords for trench starts and selective demolition.
• Facilities and maintenance teams that want mobility and asset tracking on a shared tool.

If your workday is wall chipping above shoulder height or breaking out thick, reinforced concrete continuously, a heavier corded breaker or pneumatic solution is still the better choice.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt chipping hammer for trades that do frequent horizontal and downward concrete work and want to cut cords without sacrificing real impact performance. It hits with authority for a cordless tool in this size, the vibration control reduces fatigue, and the dust‑control pairing is thoughtfully executed. You’ll need a sensible battery plan for long demo days, and it’s not the right tool for heavy overhead work, but as a mobility‑first chipping hammer, it earns its place on the truck.