Black & Decker Hammer Drill Attachment (for MATRIX Quick Connect System)

Why I reached for the hammer drill attachment

I’ve been using Black & Decker’s MATRIX system for a while, mostly for light carpentry and around-the-house fixes where a single power unit with swappable heads keeps my toolbox trim. Adding the hammer drill attachment felt like the logical next step for tackling masonry anchors, brick repairs, and the occasional hole through a block wall. After several weeks of real jobs—mounting a ledger on a brick veneer, setting Tapcon-style anchors in cured concrete, and drilling through PT lumber with larger bits—I have a clear sense of where this attachment shines and where it asks for patience.

Design, build, and fit on the MATRIX power unit

The appeal here is obvious: snap it onto the MATRIX quick-connect base and you’ve got a compact hammer drill. The attachment is small (about 4.2 inches long, 2.5 inches wide, 7.5 inches tall) and light at roughly 1.8 pounds, so it doesn’t overwhelm the base. That matters when you’re perched on a ladder or working above shoulder height; I appreciated not juggling a bulky, dedicated hammer drill for a couple of holes.

The 1/2-inch keyless chuck is a standout feature for an attachment at this price tier. It clamps down securely and accepts larger-shank bits that a typical 3/8-inch chuck won’t. I ran everything from 3/16-inch carbide masonry bits to a 1-inch spade bit in wood, and the chuck held without drama. As with most keyless chucks, a quick re-snug after the first few hammer impacts kept things tight.

Two speed settings are built in. I kept speed 1 for masonry and larger bits in wood or metal where torque matters, and speed 2 for smaller twist bits or pilot holes. Paired with the variable-speed trigger on the MATRIX base, it’s easy to dial in what you need.

Compatibility-wise, I used it on a 20V MAX MATRIX power unit (models like BDCDMT120C and its kit variants are a fit). If you’re running a MATRIX base from this family, you’re good to go. Power units are sold separately, of course.

Masonry performance: light to moderate duty, as intended

This is not a rotary hammer, and it doesn’t pretend to be. Think “hammer drill for anchors and occasional masonry,” not “core drilling all day.” In practice, it did exactly that.

• Brick and mortar: Clean, predictable holes with a 3/16-inch bit for light anchors. Speed 1, moderate pressure, and let the bit do the cutting. Dust clears adequately with a pause-and-pulse technique, and the attachment’s hammer action reduces the urge to over-lean on the tool.
• Cinder block: Similar results. Webbing portions drill quickly; solid portions take a little more patience. I was able to set sleeve anchors without the bit skating.
• Poured concrete: This is where the limits show. In older, hard aggregate, holes progressed steadily but slowly. For 1/4-inch anchors, plan on a modest pace and keep batteries fresh. Swap bits if you feel heat soak or glazing. The hammer action is there, but it’s gentler than a dedicated pro hammer drill—about what I expect from a compact system head.

Vibration is noticeable but manageable. Without the mass of a big drill body, you’ll feel more feedback in your grip, especially in concrete. That’s a trade-off of the compact form factor, not a defect. Hearing protection is a must; the pitch is typical of hammer drills.

Wood and metal: a useful 1/2-inch drill option

Because you can turn the hammer action off (run it in drill mode), this attachment doubles as a solid 1/2-inch drill. I used it for:

• 1-inch spade holes in PT 2x lumber: Speed 1, slow and steady. The MATRIX power unit did fine, with the attachment’s larger chuck giving me more bit options.
• 3/8-inch holes in mild steel angle: Speed 2 for pilot, speed 1 for the finish. With cutting oil and a measured feed, it produced clean holes.

If you’re already invested in the MATRIX system, this head saves you from buying a separate 1/2-inch drill just to run larger bits or hole saws in wood. That versatility is a big part of its value.

Ergonomics and control

Balance with the 20V power unit feels neutral. The compact length helps you fit into awkward corners where a full-size hammer drill would be a knuckle-buster. You don’t get the leverage or inertia of a heavy, two-hand rig, so managing bit wander on slick masonry requires careful starting technique: mark the hole, use a center punch or a light starter tap, run at a low RPM until the bit seats, then ramp up. The variable-speed trigger on the base makes that easy to execute.

Heat management is important. In hammer mode, I’d drill for 8–10 seconds, back out to clear dust, then continue. That kept the bit sharp and the tool from bogging. Batteries lasted respectably with two packs rotated; for a full afternoon of anchor work, I’d want both charged and ready.

What I liked

• Quick connect convenience: Snap-on, snap-off. No re-holstering in the middle of a job when I need to switch to a driver head.
• 1/2-inch keyless chuck: Accepts larger shanks and holds well. No need to baby it.
• Two-speed range: Practical and easy to remember—torque in speed 1, pace in speed 2.
• Compact and light: At about 1.8 lb for the head, it doesn’t turn the MATRIX into a wrist workout.
• Versatility: Does double duty as a regular drill, not just a masonry specialist.

Where it falls short

• Not for heavy concrete: Poured, cured concrete with tough aggregate is doable, not delightful. Expect slower progress, especially beyond 1/4-inch.
• Less leverage than a dedicated hammer drill: The compact form factor trades brute force for convenience.
• No frills: You won’t find advanced features like depth rods, anti-kickback, or a side-handle style grip common on bigger tools.

Best use cases

• Hanging ledger boards, fixtures, or straps on brick or block using 3/16–1/4-inch anchors.
• Occasional holes in poured concrete where time isn’t critical.
• General drilling in wood and metal when you need a 1/2-inch chuck on a compact platform.
• Homeowners and light-duty pros already using the MATRIX system who value space-saving and quick changeovers.

Tips for better results

• Use fresh, quality carbide masonry bits and keep them cool—pause to clear dust regularly.
• Start at low RPM to seat the bit and avoid skating on glazed brick or tile.
• Run masonry in speed 1; save speed 2 for smaller holes in wood/metal.
• Keep two charged 20V batteries on hand if you’ll be drilling multiple holes in concrete.
• Mark depth on the bit with tape if you need consistent anchor depths.

Durability and maintenance

Over the test period, the attachment held up well. The chuck remained true with no noticeable runout, and the quick-connect interface stayed tight with zero wiggle. As with any hammer drill, the front end will get dusty—blow it out after masonry work and wipe the chuck threads clean to keep the action smooth. I didn’t notice any unusual heat or smells under normal loads, which speaks well for the internal gearing at this size.

Value for MATRIX owners

On its own, this attachment won’t convert a casual user into a masonry pro. But within the MATRIX ecosystem, it’s a smart, compact way to add genuine hammer capability and a 1/2-inch chuck without buying a separate drill. Storage savings are real, and the quick-change workflow means fewer trips back to the toolbox. If you only set anchors a few times a month—or you’re adding occasional masonry to an already versatile 20V setup—it checks a lot of boxes.

Recommendation

I recommend the hammer drill attachment to anyone already using a 20V MATRIX power unit who needs light-to-moderate masonry capability and the flexibility of a 1/2-inch chuck. It’s compact, easy to live with, and genuinely useful for anchors in brick, block, and manageable stretches of poured concrete. If your workday is heavy concrete from breakfast to dinner, step up to a dedicated hammer drill or, better yet, an SDS-plus rotary hammer. For the rest of us juggling a mix of tasks and valuing quick changeovers and storage efficiency, this attachment earns its spot in the kit.