I'm writing this review for those who have a hard time trying to decide on a drill as I did. People sometimes write reviews only because they either love the product or absolutely hate it. Well here's my opinion of the DeWalt DW511 hammer drill.
For what it's worth , I searched and researched for about two weeks before I listed my priorities and decided on this drill. I needed it to strap my basement walls for insulation. I knew that after this job it would become my corded general purpose drill to use when I needed the power. The major factor on chooseing this drill was it's amps and mostly the weight. I have used it and to my amazement I drilled a 2 1/2 inch hole in poured concrete w/rocks in about 10 seconds. This seems to be a great drill and is light in weight , less than four pounds, I wouldn't want a big heavy drill for general work around the house. Now that I have my major project done I wouldn't have much use for a hammer drill other than an occasional hole in concrete. The price is good and the warranty is longer than most. I think I made a good choice for my needs.

similarly as with another reviewer, i was looking for one drill. not just a high-torque, low-rpm concrete punching machine or a low-torque, high-rpm driver, polisher, etc. and this fits the bill quite well. i picked this up as a refurb for just a little over 50 clams, but i can't seem to tell the difference between new. this is my first refurb experience with dewalt and i'm quite pleased. now, onto the drill itself. first off, it's lightweight. you can easily control it with one hand for simpler jobs. throw on the side grip for tougher jobs and you're set. the vsr is more responsive than i expected. casing is a good thick plastic and wiring is thick; both seem plenty durable. has a nice metal chuck that can be secured with a key for tougher jobs or without for quick rips through wood. for fun, i started punching holes with a 1/4" bit through concrete and i was able to drive it through 2" in a cautious 30 seconds. the hammer action adds a nice little punch; if you're looking for some serious hammering and hole punching, this might prove to be a little on the weak side, but it's more than enough to drive through concrete and sheet metal. i drilled through both today like a hot knife through buttah. next week, i take on some steel rivets on the ball joints on my car, so maybe i'll update. gripes? this goes with all the major brands on the market. the trigger is fine but the switches (hammer on/off control + forward/reverse controls) seem a bit flimsy to me. end: this is a good drill for a good range of tasks, too pricey for just driving screws and holes through wood and maybe a little bit too weak for punching holes through concrete every day. but if you're like me and take on fairly big home/car/hobby projects, this is a good choice. when shopping, also take a look at what milwaukee offers. they're a legend in the drilling world.

I bought this for $50 bucks refurbished, just thinking it would last one project(cheaper then renting). I have had this drill for 3 years now. I use it all the time and it is still going strong!

Good job Dewalt!

Excelente balance entre poder y manejo. Para uso de moderado a pesado. Good tool, excellent balance between power and handle.

This was my first corded drill purchase in many years. The drilling experience was excellent - it hammers a hole through rock and concrete with ease. Just plug it in and get it done. DeWalt builds a superior product. If you're in the market for a combination standard drill and a hammer drill, look no further - just flip the lever and go from standard to hammer function. Highly recommended.