Makita 6671333 Review

Drilling into reinforced concrete is the acid test for any rotary hammer. A standard impact drill will buzz and vibrate against the hard aggregate without biting in, while a proper SDS-plus rotary hammer uses a pneumatic piston to drive the bit forward with genuine percussive force — cracking the concrete ahead of the bit tip and clearing the debris through the spiral flutes. For tradespeople who regularly install fixings in concrete ceilings, drill through brick and block walls for cable and pipe runs, or core-drill medium-sized holes for services, a mid-range SDS-plus rotary hammer is one of the most heavily used tools in the van. It needs to combine enough impact energy to drill quickly with a weight that is manageable in awkward positions, and it should offer the versatility to switch between hammer drilling, rotary-only drilling, and chiselling without changing tools. A good rotary hammer in this class drills a 10 mm hole in reinforced concrete in under ten seconds and keeps doing it all day without the motor overheating.

Makita's professional power tools are widely regarded as some of the most reliable on the market, and their SDS-plus rotary hammers have a strong following among electricians, plumbers, and general builders. The 800-watt class sits between the compact 600-watt hammers designed for overhead fixings and the heavy 1,000-watt-plus machines built for sustained core drilling. When evaluating a rotary hammer at this level, the key specifications are the impact energy in joules, the drilling capacity in concrete, the three-mode functionality, and the vibration levels — because a hammer that transmits excessive vibration to the operator will limit how long you can work before your hands need a rest.

This review examines the Makita HR2663, an 800-watt SDS-plus rotary hammer with a 26 mm drilling capacity in concrete. We will look at its impact performance, its multi-mode versatility, and how it handles the daily demands of professional use on site.

An 800-watt motor powers this rotary hammer, delivering approximately 2.4 joules of impact energy through the SDS-plus chuck — enough to drill up to 26 mm in concrete with a solid bit and up to around 50 mm with a core bit. The hammer mechanism is pneumatic, using a piston and striker arrangement that compresses air to drive the bit forward, which is far more efficient than the mechanical impact system in a standard drill. The blow rate is approximately 4,600 impacts per minute, and the no-load rotation speed reaches 1,200 RPM, giving you a good balance between impact frequency and rotational speed for clean, round holes. The SDS-plus chuck accepts all standard SDS-plus bits and chisels with a simple push-and-lock action — no tools required to swap accessories.

The HR2663 offers three operating modes selected by a rotary dial on the side of the body. Rotary hammer mode combines rotation with pneumatic impact for drilling into concrete, brick, stone, and masonry. Rotary-only mode disengages the hammer mechanism for drilling wood and metal with a chuck adapter — useful when you need to drill pilot holes for framing fixings. Hammer-only mode locks the rotation for chiselling and light demolition work, such as removing wall tiles, chasing channels for cable, or breaking out small sections of brickwork. The mode selector is positioned for access with your thumb while your hand remains on the main grip.

The tool weighs approximately 3.0 kg — light enough for overhead drilling into concrete ceilings for pendant lights, cable trays, and pipe hangers, but with enough mass behind the hammer mechanism that the impact energy transfers efficiently into the workpiece. The D-shaped auxiliary handle adjusts 360 degrees around the collar and locks firmly, giving you a comfortable two-handed grip regardless of the working angle. The main handle is rubber-overmoulded for grip, and the trigger is progressive for controlled starts. A depth stop rod is included and can be set for repetitive drilling to a consistent depth.

Makita has engineered vibration-dampening into the handle assembly to reduce the transmission of impact vibration to the operator. While it does not feature the active anti-vibration systems found on Makita's premium AVT models, the dampened grip helps keep vibration levels within acceptable limits for intermittent professional use. The hammer includes a forward and reverse switch — useful for backing a stuck bit out of a deep hole or using the rotary hammer to drive and remove large screws and fixings with the appropriate adapter. The 230-volt cord provides unrestricted runtime, and the tool draws current within the capacity of a standard site transformer.

The HR2663 measures approximately 470 mm long by 100 mm wide by 240 mm tall with the auxiliary handle fitted. It runs on standard 230-volt corded power and is sold as a single unit with the auxiliary handle and depth stop — a carrying case, drill bits, and chisels are typically purchased separately or included in kit versions. The tool is backed by Makita's professional warranty, and spare parts availability through Makita's service network is good across Europe. At time of writing there are no customer reviews on the French marketplace, making it harder to draw on real-world feedback. For electricians, plumbers, HVAC installers, and general builders who need a capable, mid-weight SDS-plus rotary hammer for daily professional use, the HR2663 offers Makita's build quality in a practical, versatile package.

This SDS-plus rotary hammer is designed for professional electricians, plumbers, HVAC installers, and general builders who need a mid-weight, versatile tool for drilling anchor holes, light chiselling, and occasional core drilling in concrete, brick, and masonry on construction and renovation sites.