Itโs always fun to get a new tool and put it into the hands of somebody who really knows how to use it. Last month we got to toss a Bosch SDS-Max demo hammer to our friend Tata, who works at Tiger Concrete and Screed (TCS), a concrete company based in Lakeland, Florida. Tata works with his seven brothers and they got to see the article. Needless to say, they were a little jealous. So this month we interviewed Sergio Aceves, Tataโs older brother on his use of the Hitachi H41MB SDS-max demolition hammer. Weโre just trying to keep the peace, you know?
We just stared. When Sergio was finished, he came over to talk with us. 
Pro Tool Reviews: That was some impressive wheelbarrow work there.
Sergio Aceves: Wellโฆ(smiling)โฆit has to get done.
PTR: I know weโre at a shopping mall, but whatโs being done here? It looks like youโre adding on a new store.
Sergio: Yeah, we demoed an existing mall anchorโdown to the dirt. There was some selective demo of nearby retail space as well. Theyโre going to rebuild it with a new Sports Authority and also add a new movie theater.
PTR: So what kind of work did TCS do for the new space?
Sergio: Part of rebuilding the new site involved digging and pouring new footers. Since the building used to end here, we had to pour concrete right next to the current footers. That will let us plant new steel and add on to the structure. And we also have to pour a new slab and mechanical pads. The movie theater is detached and self-standing, so it has lots of block construction and its own foundation work.
PTR: So we gave you this new Hitachi H41MB Demo Hammer to use. Is it the right size for this kind of work?
Sergio: Well, I was able to use it to chip away excess concrete and block leftover from the demo. A smaller chipping hammer like this is great for when a regular hammer canโt do the work. I also used it to clean around the outside edge of the old floor, since it connects to the new foundation.
PTR: Did you use the H41MB on anything else?
Sergio: Last week we took it to a Loweโs in Tampa where weโre doing some work. Weโre putting a trench drain into some existing concrete pavement to handle some puddling.
PTR: Puddling in Florida? You mean it actually rains here?
Sergio: (laughing) Oh man, drainage on concrete is a huge issue. [At Loweโs] we saw cut two lines about 20 feet long and then used a larger demo hammer plus the Hitachi to chip out the concrete in between. It was around 6โณ thick in that area. If it were over 6โ8โณ deep we probably would have gone with just the larger hammer, but the Hitachi helped us clean up the edges while the big hammer kept going. It really sped up the job.
PTR: What did you like about it in particular?
Sergio: Itโs light, but it still puts out some good power. The trigger and lock are all in the same place and the vibration wasnโt bad. The bits go in easy, too, and you can move the handle around quick to get a better grip on the tool. You can also rotate the bit in the tool, like when youโre using a wider chisel. Most of the time we just move the tool, but sometimes you canโt, and so you just turn the bit in the shank.
PTR: How does this compare to other hammers you use?
Sergio: Well, we use a lot of bigger hammersโDeWalt, Bosch, Makitaโand thatโs good for the thicker pads we need to knock out. We also use a DeWalt 12 lb hammer, which I think is a bit heavier and longer than this one. I actually like Hitachiโs handle, because it comes right off the shaft. The smaller DeWalt we use has a smoother D-shaped handle. I think the Hitachi feels better when you have to pick it up and move it around more, and the DeWalt is slightly more comfortable when youโre staying in one place. Theyโre both pretty good, though.
PTR: So youโd tell your friends to use this tool?
Sergio: For smaller work, yeah. It wonโt replace a big hammer, but this is compact, so itโs easy to pull off your truck when you donโt need the bigger tool.
PTR: Youโre going to give that Hitachi back to us, right?
The speed and efficiency with which these tilt wall construction structures go up is mind-blowing. Itโs so fast you might overlook it if youโre not involved in that kind of work. Having the right tools is why these storefronts and buildings can go up seemingly overnight. Weโre really developing an appreciation for the guys who work hard to build this stuff. Thanks, Sergio.
