KATSU Tools 102661 Review

Every home improvement project eventually hits a wall — literally. Whether you are mounting shelves on a brick wall, running cables through a concrete floor, installing outdoor lighting on a stone facade, or anchoring a heavy gate post into masonry, a standard drill and masonry bit will quickly reach its limits. The drill bit spins and spins, generating heat and noise but making painfully slow progress, while the motor screams in protest. This is where a rotary hammer drill — often called an SDS drill after the tool holder system — changes the game entirely. Unlike a standard hammer drill that uses a mechanical clutch to vibrate the chuck, an SDS rotary hammer uses a pneumatic piston mechanism to drive the bit forward with real impact force, almost like a miniature jackhammer. The result is drilling through concrete, brick, and stone in seconds rather than minutes, with far less effort and far less wear on both the tool and the operator. For anyone who regularly works with masonry — from professional tradespeople installing fixings all day to DIYers tackling a single challenging wall — the right rotary hammer turns a dreaded task into a straightforward one.

Katsu Tools has carved out a reputation in the budget-to-mid-range power tool segment by offering tools that borrow proven designs and package them at prices accessible to home users and tradespeople who do not want to pay the premium commanded by the major brands. Their cordless SDS rotary hammer sits in the 18-to-21-volt ecosystem — a common voltage range shared across many budget cordless platforms — and is sold as a bare tool without battery or charger. This approach keeps the initial purchase price low and makes the most sense for users who already own compatible batteries or are building a multi-tool kit around Katsu's battery system. The brushless motor is a noteworthy inclusion at this price point, as it typically delivers longer runtime, less maintenance, and better power efficiency than the brushed motors found on competing budget rotary hammers.

This review examines the Katsu FIT-BAT 22 mm cordless SDS rotary hammer drill. We look at the brushless motor performance, the 22 mm maximum drilling capacity in wood, the 12 mm concrete and 10 mm steel ratings, the 30 newton-metre torque figure with a 54 Nm maximum, and the SDS chuck system. We also assess the 0 to 750 rpm speed range, the 3,000 impacts-per-minute hammer mechanism, and the practical implications of buying a bare tool that requires a separate battery and charger investment.

The FIT-BAT packs a brushless motor into a compact SDS rotary hammer body that measures 195 mm long by 95 mm wide by 270 mm tall and weighs 1.42 kg — light enough for one-handed overhead drilling into ceilings and walls without arm fatigue. The motor delivers a no-load speed of 0 to 750 rpm with an impact rate of 0 to 3,000 impacts per minute, driven by the pneumatic hammer mechanism that is the defining feature of any SDS drill. The rated torque is 30 newton-metres with a maximum of 54 Nm, which provides enough twisting force for the tool's rated drilling capacities: up to 22 mm diameter in wood, 12 mm in concrete, and 10 mm in steel. The SDS chuck accepts standard SDS-Plus shank bits and provides tool-free bit changes — push the collar back, insert the bit, release, and the bit is locked in place with enough axial float for the hammer mechanism to work.

The drill offers the standard three-mode operation expected of an SDS rotary hammer: rotation-only for drilling wood and steel with a standard chuck adapter, rotary-hammer for drilling into concrete, brick, and masonry with SDS bits, and hammer-only for light chiselling and tile removal. The mode selector is positioned for thumb operation, and the switch clicks positively into each position. The variable-speed trigger gives you fine control over the drilling speed — useful when starting a hole in a smooth surface where a fast-spinning bit can skate before it bites. The brushless motor contributes to efficient power consumption, extracting more holes per battery charge than a comparable brushed motor, and eliminates the brush wear that eventually requires replacement on brushed tools.

In use, the 1.42 kg weight is a genuine advantage for a rotary hammer — many corded SDS drills weigh 3 kg or more, and holding that weight at shoulder height to drill overhead anchor holes quickly becomes exhausting. The compact dimensions also make it easier to manoeuvre between joists, inside cabinets, and in other confined spaces where a larger rotary hammer would not fit. The trade-off is that lighter tools transmit more vibration to the user, and the impact energy is naturally lower than that of a heavier, more powerful corded rotary hammer. The 12 mm concrete rating reflects this: it will handle 6 mm and 8 mm holes for wall plugs and light anchors with ease, but pushing a 12 mm bit through reinforced concrete will be at the upper limit of comfort and speed.

The tool is sold as a bare unit — no battery, no charger, no carry case. The single included component listed is the hammer drill itself. This means the headline price of around 42 euros is only the entry point; you will need to budget for at least one battery and a charger if you are not already invested in Katsu's 18-to-21-volt battery platform. The initial cost of a battery and charger can double the effective price, though once you own them, additional bare tools become very affordable. The drill uses a 12 mm maximum chuck size when fitted with a standard drill chuck adapter for non-SDS bits, and the single-speed gearbox keeps the operation straightforward with no gear switching to manage.

The Katsu FIT-BAT is finished in a blue body colour, measures 195 by 95 by 270 mm, and carries a bestseller rank of number 708 in the hammer drills category. Customer feedback averages 3.6 out of 5 stars from a limited but growing base of reviews — a rating that reflects satisfaction with the value proposition while noting the expected compromises of a budget tool. The brushless motor, three-mode operation, and SDS tool-free chuck are features typically found on drills costing twice as much, and they form the core of the tool's appeal. For the DIYer who drills into masonry occasionally — mounting shelves, installing curtain rails, fitting external lights — and wants a dedicated rotary hammer without the weight and cost of a corded professional model, the FIT-BAT makes a pragmatic case, provided you factor in the battery system cost.

The Katsu FIT-BAT cordless SDS rotary hammer is ideal for DIYers and home renovators who need occasional masonry drilling capability without the weight and cost of a professional corded rotary hammer.