Bosch 1191VSRK Hammer Drill Review

The Bosch 1191VSRK Hammer Drill is a single-speed corded drill that can make holes in concrete, bricks, wood, and metal. The hammer function makes drilling more straightforward and faster on hard surfaces. This tool is for anyone in construction, home improvement, concrete, masonry, wood drilling, and repairs. The Bosch 1191VSRK Hammer Drill is a 120V electric corded drill priced between $110 to $119.

This review will cover everything you need to know to help you decide about this hammer drill.

Overview of Bosch 1191VSRK Hammer Drill

Bosch is a German company famous for making power tools, and the 1191VSRK hammer drill is one of their high-quality tools. It’s perfect for minor, precise Drilling, and it has a powerful 7.0-amp motor that generates up to 3,000 RPM and 48,000 BPM.

If you are in hurry and can not read the whole review, and just want to check the tool directly from your self, here is the link of the tool for your convenience.

📍 Where to Buy?

The Bosch 1191VSRK Hammer Drill is available on Amazon, other online retailers, and the official Bosch website. I recommend you check it out at different stores for the best price.

Bosch 1191VSRK 120-Volt 1/2-Inch Single-Speed Hammer Drill

Lightweight design
7 amp motor
360 degree auxiliary handle

$119.00

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Bosch 1191VSRK Hammer Drill – Features

After testing the Bosch 1191VSRK, I analyzed each of its features in detail. Below, I’ve highlighted its most important features:

1. Powerful 7.0 Amp Motor (850W Power Output)

• This 7-amp motor is powerful enough to drill into concrete, masonry, wood, and metal. I tested it on brick and 2-inch concrete.

2. Hammer Mode + Drill Mode (Dual-Mode Operation)

This drill has a dual-mode feature:

• Hammer Mode: For fast Drilling in concrete and masonry.
• Drill Mode: For wood, metal, and plastic.
• You can switch between modes with the selector switch, which is very convenient.

3. Variable Speed Trigger (0-3,000 RPM) & Reversing Function

• The speed control feature makes it easy to maintain pressure and accuracy while drilling.
• It also has a reversing function, which helps in removing bits or loosening screws.
• With 48,000 BPM (Blows Per Minute), it works efficiently and at a reasonable speed, even on concrete.

4. 1/2-Inch Keyed Chuck (For a Strong Grip)

• The 1/2-inch chuck size allows you to use standard drill bits easily.
• Its keyed chuck helps tighten drill bits securely, reducing the risk of slipping. However, compared to a keyless chuck, changing bits takes a little more time.

5. 360 degree Rotating Side Handle (Better Control & Stability)

• This drill has a 360-degree rotating handle, improving grip and stability while drilling.
• It provides extra control when working on hard surfaces like concrete or brick.

6. Depth Gauge (Accurate Drilling Depth)

• Its depth gauge helps control the drilling depth accurately.
• This is especially useful when installing anchors or bolts.

7. Compact & Lightweight Design (4.1 lbs – Easy to Handle)

• Weighing only 4.1 lbs, it’s great for tight spaces and overhead Drilling.
• Its ergonomic grip design helps prevent hand fatigue.

8. 8-Foot Power Cord (Long Reach & Flexibility)

• The 8-ft long cord reduces the need for an extension wire, which is a great convenience if you’re working near a power source.

9. Durable Build Quality & Ball/Roller Bearings

• This drill has ball and roller bearings, which help it last longer and run smoothly over time.

Are These Features Useful?

What I liked the most about this drill was its lightweight design, hammer mode, and variable speed trigger. These features make it an excellent choice for home and semi-professional work.

These features were perfect for my needs, but the features you’ll like the most will depend on what you need in a drill.

However, if you need a hammer drill with a multi-speed motor or a keyless chuck, this might not be the best option for you. In this price range, it’s a solid choice.

There are some cheaper drills with good features, too, but since I haven’t used or tested them yet, there’s no point in talking about them. I’ll use them soon and write reviews, comparing them with this tool to give you an even more detailed and in-depth analysis.

Pros & Cons

I tested this drill on wood, metal, and concrete, and I’ve listed its strengths and weaknesses below as pros and cons. If you’re thinking about buying this drill, make sure to understand its real-world performance first!

Pros & Cons

Pros:

1️⃣ Lightweight & Compact Design:

Its lightweight and small size make it easy to use. If you’re tired of bulky and heavy drills, this one is comfortable to grip and works well in small spaces.

2️⃣ Variable Speed Control:

It has an adjustable speed feature controlled by the trigger pressure. This is useful for wood, metal, and light masonry work where slow and precise Drilling is needed.

3️⃣ Dual Mode (Hammer + Regular Drill):

It works as both a regular drill and a hammer drill. The hammer mode is suitable for bricks and soft masonry but not very effective on hard concrete (explained in cons).

4️⃣ 360-Degree Rotating Handle:

The side handle rotates fully, helping with control and stability while drilling. This is especially useful for masonry and hard surfaces.

Cons:

1️⃣ Overheating Problem (A Major Issue):

This drill heats up quickly during continuous use, especially when drilling into hard concrete or metal. In some cases, even the plastic casing gets hot. This could be a durability risk in the long run! This happened during my test only twice especially continuous drilling in the hard meta and concrete. I did not faced over heating issue after that. I could not measure its temperature but it was very heated.

2️⃣ Limited Power for Concrete & Hard Surfaces:

It works fine on light masonry, such as bricks and cement blocks, but struggles with hard concrete or deeper Drilling. Making deep or wide holes in concrete feels underpowered, and it tends to stop in between.

3️⃣ Chuck Grip Issue (Gets Loose):

The chuck kept getting loose while Drilling, which happened three times during my tests. It was frustrating.

Real-World Testing & Performance – My Hands-On Experience

After testing the Bosch 1191VSRK Hammer Drill on different materials like wood, metal, bricks, and concrete, I evaluated how well it performs for daily use and professional work.

1️⃣ Wood & Metal Drilling – Smooth But Not for Thick Metal

I started by testing it on wood and metal.

✅ Wood drilling makes holes quickly, and the variable speed control provides good precision.

✅ Thin metal drilling: It works smoothly on thin metal sheets.

❌ Thick metal drilling: The drill struggled when I tried drilling into thicker steel, and its speed slowed. It’s not suitable for heavy-duty metal work.

2️⃣ Brick & Concrete Drilling – Struggles on Hard Surfaces

I tested it on bricks and concrete to check its hammer mode performance.

✅ Bricks and soft masonry: It worked fine when drilling multiple holes in bricks and concrete blocks.

❌ Hard concrete: While drilling into a concrete driveway, the drill overheated after just four holes, and I had to stop.

❌ Overheating issue: With continuous use, both the motor and casing got very hot. I had to take breaks to prevent damage.

3️⃣ Hammer Mode & Chuck Grip – Some Issues

✅ Hammer mode is helpful, but sometimes it activates without pressing the switch, which can be a problem for regular Drilling.

❌ Chuck grip gets loose: I noticed that while drilling, the chuck kept loosening, causing the drill bit to slip, which was frustrating when working on metal or concrete.

4️⃣ Durability Test – Not for Heavy-Duty Use

✅ Worked fine for light tasks.

❌ Overheating during continuous use: At one point, the drill almost shut down due to excessive heat.

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Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

This could be a good choice if you need a budget-friendly drill for home DIY or occasional Drilling.

But if you need a drill for professional or heavy-duty work, it might disappoint you.

🔥 Best for:

✅ Home DIY projects

✅ Drilling in wood, plastic, concrete, and thin metal

✅ Soft masonry (bricks, blocks)

⚠️ Not recommended for:

❌ Hard Concrete Drilling

❌ Continuous heavy-duty use

❌ Professional masonry & construction work

Comparison 

Price, Value

The Bosch 1191VSRK Hammer Drill is priced at $110.26, which might feel a bit expensive for a single-speed hammer drill. Other alternatives offer more power, durability, and extra features in this price range.

📌 Is It Worth the Price?

✅ Good for Light-duty Drilling like wood, drywall, or soft masonry.

❌ Not reliable for Heavy-duty concrete Drilling or continuous use, as it overheats and may fail over time.

💲 Competitor Pricing Comparison:

• DongCheng Hammer Drill DZJ05-13 – $39.99 (Better value, includes extra drill bits)
• SKIL DL181901 – $49.00 (More power, better speed control)
• DongCheng SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer – $57.99 (Heavy-duty, better for concrete Drilling)
• SKIL HD182001 Hammer Drill – $59.99 (More power, better durability)

Conclusion

The Bosch 1191VSRK Hammer Drill is a reasonable option for everyday DIY projects and minor home improvements. It works well for basic Drilling in wood, drywall, concrete, and masonry, and its compact design and single-speed operation make it easy for beginners to use.

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Azlan

Hello friends! My name is Azlan, and I am from Karachi, Pakistan.
I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Mehran University.
My education also includes the following courses:
Automotive Tools & Equipment Basics – Udemy
Hand & Power Tools Training for Beginners – Skillshare
Introduction to Industrial Tools & Equipment – Alison
Hand Tools & Power Tools for Woodworkers – Skillshare
DIY Home Improvement Tools Guide – LinkedIn Learning
Pneumatic & Hydraulic Tools Handling – LinkedIn Learning
Testing & Comparing Tools: Expert Guide – Skillshare
Currently, I run my own workshop in partnership with my friend Aadie.
One day, I needed a tool, so I read a lot of reviews. Every review had something different to say about the same tool—some mentioned weight differences, others talked about height variations, and even the pictures looked different. Honestly, I was really confused. But when I finally bought the tool, I realized that 60% of what was mentioned in the reviews wasn’t true at all.
That made me think—if I faced such a problem, what about those who rely entirely on online reviews to buy tools? This thought pushed me to start a blog dedicated to tool reviews.
I promise to do my best to share only the most accurate information—either from my personal testing or from the knowledge of the workshop experts I work with. I'll only write about what I truly know. If I don't know something, I'll be honest about it. But if you really need detailed information about a tool, I'll gather the necessary details for you.
You can also reach out to me directly. I hope you’ll find my reviews helpful, and if you ever think they aren’t, please let me know! Your feedback and suggestions will help me improve and ensure that my content is clear, informative, and truly useful for you.

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