DeWalt DCH253, DCH273, DCH273H1, DCH273B, DCH273P2 Manual

Overview

1. Side handle
2. Depth rod
3. Trigger switch
4. Forward/reverse control button (Lock‑off button)
5. Mode selector knob
6. Main handle
7. Worklight
8. Battery pack
9. Battery release button
10. Utility hook
11. Shocks

Safety information

Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations, and specifications in this manual, including the battery and charger sections provided in an original tool manual or the separate Batteries and Chargers manual. Manuals can be obtained by contacting Customer Service as described elsewhere in this manual. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

Definitions: Safety Alert Symbols and Words
This instruction manual uses the following safety alert symbols and words to alert you to hazardous situations and your risk of personal injury or property damage.

Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury. (Used without word) Indicates a safety related message.
NOTICE: Indicates a practice not related to personal injury which, if not avoided, may result in property damage.

Intended Use
This heavy‑duty cordless rotary hammer is designed for professional concrete, wood and metal drilling applications. DO NOT use under wet conditions or in presence of flammable liquids or gases.
This heavy‑duty cordless rotary hammer is a professional power tool.
DO NOT let children come into contact with the tool.
Supervision is required when inexperienced operators use this tool.

GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS

Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
SAVE All WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
The term "power tool" in the warnings refers to your mains‑operated (corded) power tool or battery‑operated (cordless) power tool.

1. Work Area Safety
   1. Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
   2. DO NOT operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
   3. Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.
2. Electrical Safety
   1. Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. DO NOT use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
   2. Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
   3. DO NOT expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
   4. DO NOT abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
   5. When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
   6. If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected supply. Use of a GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.
3. Personal Safety
   1. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. DO NOT use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
   2. Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a dust mask, non‑skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
   3. Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
   4. Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
   5. DO NOT overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
   6. Dress properly. DO NOT wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
   7. If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust‑related hazards.
   8. DO NOT let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and ignore tool safety principles. A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a second.
4. Power Tool Use and Care
   1. DO NOT force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
   2. DO NOT use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
   3. Disconnect the plug from the power source and/ or remove the battery pack, if detachable, from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
   4. Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and DO NOT allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
   5. Maintain power tools and accessories. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool's operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
   6. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
   7. Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits, etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed.
      Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
   8. Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Slippery handles and grasping surfaces DO NOT allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected situations.
5. Battery Tool Use and Care
   1. Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack.
   2. Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs. Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.
   3. When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
   4. Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns.
   5. DO NOT use a battery pack or tool that is damaged or modified. Damaged or modified batteries may exhibit unpredictable behavior resulting in fire, explosion or risk of injury.
   6. DO NOT expose a battery pack or tool to fire or excessive temperature. Exposure to fire or temperature above 265°F (130°C) may cause explosion.
   7. Follow all charging instructions and DO NOT charge the battery pack or tool outside the temperature range specified in the instructions. Charging improperly or at temperatures outside the specified range may damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.
6. Service
   1. Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.
   2. Never service damaged battery packs. Service of battery packs should only be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service providers.

Additional Safety Instructions for Rotary Hammers

• Wear ear protectors. Exposure to noise can cause hearing loss.
• Use auxiliary handle(s), if supplied with the tool. Loss of control can cause personal injury.
• Hold power tool by insulated gripping surfaces, when performing an operation where the cutting accessory may contact hidden wiring. Cutting accessory contacting a "live" wire may make exposed metal parts of the power tool "live" and could give the operator an electric shock.
• Be certain that the material being drilled does not conceal electric or gas service and that their locations have been verified with the utility companies.
• Use clamps or other practical way to secure and support the workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control.
• Wear safety goggles or other eye protection. Hammering operations cause chips to fly. Flying particles can cause permanent eye damage. Wear a dust mask or respirator for applications that generate dust. Ear protection may be required for most applications.
• Keep a firm grip on the tool at all times. DO NOT attempt to operate this tool without holding it with both hands. Operating this tool with one hand will result in loss of control. Breaking through or encountering hard materials such as re‑bar may be hazardous as well.
• DO NOT operate this tool for long periods of time. Vibration caused by hammer action may be harmful to your hands and arms. Use gloves to provide extra cushion and limit exposure by taking frequent rest periods.
• DO NOT recondition bits yourself. Chisel reconditioning should be done by an authorized specialist. Improperly reconditioned chisels could cause injury.
• Accessories and tool may get hot during operation. Wear gloves when handling them if performing heat producing applications such as hammerdrilling and drilling metals.
• Never lay the tool down until the bit has come to a complete stop. Moving bits could cause injury.
• DO NOT strike jammed bits with a hammer to dislodge them. Fragments of metal or material chips could dislodge and cause injury.

Additional Safety Information

Never modify the power tool or any part of it. Damage or personal injury could result.

ALWAYS use safety glasses. Everyday eyeglasses are NOT safety glasses. Also use face or dust mask if cutting operation is dusty. ALWAYS WEAR CERTIFIED SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

• ANSI Z87.1 eye protection (CAN/CSA Z94.3),
• ANSI S12.6 (S3.19) hearing protection,
• NIOSH/OSHA/MSHA respiratory protection.

Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

• lead from lead‑based paints,
• crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and
• arsenic and chromium from chemically‑treated lumber. Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.
• Wear protective clothing and wash exposed areas with soap and water. Allowing dust to get into your mouth, eyes, or lay on the skin may promote absorption of harmful chemicals. Direct particles away from face and body.
• Use the appropriate dust extractor vacuum to remove the vast majority of static and airborne dust. Failure to remove static and airborne dust could contaminate the working environment or pose an increased health risk to the operator and those in close proximity.
• Use clamps or other practical ways to secure and support the workpiece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control and injury.
• Air vents often cover moving parts and should be avoided. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

When not in use, place tool on its side on a stable surface where it will not cause a tripping or falling hazard. Some tools with large battery packs will stand upright on the battery pack but may be easily knocked over.

The label on your tool may include the following symbols. The symbols and their definitions are as follows:

ASSEMBLY AND ADJUSTMENTS

To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn unit off and remove the battery pack before making any adjustments or removing/installing attachments or accessories. An accidental start‑up can cause injury.

Side Handle and Depth Rod (Fig. A, B)

To reduce the risk of personal injury, ALWAYS operate the tool with the side handle properly installed. Failure to do so may result in the side handle slipping during tool operation and subsequent loss of control. Hold tool with both hands to maximize control.
The side handle clamps to the front of the gear case and may be rotated 360˚ to permit right‑ or left‑hand use. The side handle clamps to the collar and has 12 tightening locations. The side handle can be tightened by rotating the grip of the side handle clockwise. The side handle must be tightened sufficiently to resist the twisting action of the tool if the accessory binds or stalls. Be sure you move the side handle against the end of the collar end to have the clamping piece fully engaged.

To Adjust the Depth Rod (Fig. A)
Loosen the side handle and move the depth rod so that the distance between the end of the rod and the end of the bit equals the desired drilling depth. When drilling with depth rod, stop when end of rod reaches surface of material.

Utility Hook (Fig. C)

To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, ONLY use the tool's utility hook to hang the tool from a work belt. DO NOT use the utility hook for tethering or securing the tool to a person or object during use. DO NOT suspend tool overhead or suspend objects from the utility hook.

To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, ensure the screw holding the utility hook is secure.

When attaching or replacing the utility hook , use only the screw that is provided. Be sure to securely tighten the screw.
The utility hook can be attached to either side of the tool using only the screw provided, to accommodate left‑ or right‑handed users. If the hook is not desired at all, it can be removed from the tool.
To move utility hook, remove the screw that holds the utility hook in place then reassemble on the opposite side. Be sure to securely tighten the screw.

OPERATION

To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn unit off and remove the battery pack before making any adjustments or removing/installing attachments or accessories. An accidental start‑up can cause injury.

Installing and Removing the Battery Pack (Fig. D)

Ensure the tool/appliance is in the off position before inserting the battery pack.
NOTE: For best results, make sure your battery pack is fully charged.

1. To install the battery pack into the tool handle, align the battery pack with the rails inside the tool's handle and slide it into the handle until the battery pack is firmly seated in the tool and ensure that it does not disengage.
2. To remove the battery pack from the tool, press the battery pack release button and firmly pull the battery pack out of the tool handle. Insert it into the charger.

Proper Hand Position (Fig. E)

To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, ALWAYS use proper hand position as shown.

To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, ALWAYS hold securely in anticipation of a sudden reaction. Proper hand position requires one hand on the main handle , with the other hand on the side handle .

Trigger Switch (Fig. A, F)
To turn the tool on, squeeze the trigger switch . To turn the tool off, release the trigger switch. Your tool is equipped with a brake. The chuck will stop as soon as the trigger switch is fully released.

Variable Speed Trigger Switch
The variable speed trigger switch enables you to select the best speed for a particular application. The farther you squeeze the trigger switch, the faster the tool will operate. For maximum tool life, use variable speed only for starting holes or fasteners.
NOTE: Continuous use in variable speed range is not recommended. It may damage the trigger switch and should be avoided.

Forward/Reverse Control Button (Fig. A, F)
A forward/reverse control button determines the direction of bit rotation and also serves as a lock‑off button.
To select forward rotation, release the trigger switch and depress the forward/reverse control button on the right side of the tool.
To select reverse, depress the forward/reverse control button on the left side of the tool.
The center position of the control button locks the tool in the off position. When changing the position of the control button, be sure the trigger is released.
NOTE: The first time the tool is run after changing the direction of rotation, you may hear a click on start up. This is normal and does not indicate a problem.

Worklight (Fig. G)

DO NOT stare into worklight. Serious eye injury could result.
There is a worklight located on the front of the tool. The worklight is activated when the trigger switch is depressed, and will automatically turn off 20 seconds after the trigger switch is released. If the trigger switch remains depressed, the worklight will remain on.
NOTE: The worklight is for lighting the immediate work surface and is not intended to be used as a flashlight.

Mode Selector Knob (Fig. H)

DO NOT change to drill or hammerdrill mode with a chisel bit in the chuck. Personal injury and damage to tool may result.

Never change the mode while the unit is running.

• For drilling (non‑percussion) rotate the mode selector knob in the down position until the line aligns with the drill bit symbol .
• For rotary hammerdrilling (with percussion) rotate the mode selector knob in the up position until the line aligns to the drill bit and hammer symbol .
• For chipping mode, align arrow with the hammer symbol .

NOTE: The mode selector knob must be in drill, rotary hammerdrilling or chipping mode at all times. There are no operable positions in between.

Electronic Overload Protection
If the drill bit becomes jammed, the power to the drill spindle will be interrupted by the activation of the electronic overload protection. To reactivate the power to the drive spindle, the tool's trigger should be released and then depressed. Due to the resulting forces, always hold the tool with both hands and take a firm stance.

SHOCKS Active Vibration Control® System
For best vibration control, hold the tool as described in Proper Hand Position and apply just enough pressure so the damping device on the main handle is approximately mid stroke. The hammer only needs enough pressure to engage the active vibration control. Applying too much pressure will not make the tool actuate faster and active vibration control will not engage.

SDS plus® Chuck (Fig. I)

Burn Hazard. ALWAYS wear gloves when changing bits. Accessible metal parts on the tool and bits may get extremely hot during operation. Small bits of broken material may damage bare hands.
To insert bit, insert shank of bit about 3/4" (19 mm) into chuck . Push and rotate bit until it locks in place. The bit will be securely held.
To release bit, pull the sleeve back and remove the bit.

Drilling (Fig. H)

To reduce the risk of personal injury, ALWAYS operate the tool with the side handle properly installed. Failure to do so may result in the side handle slipping during tool operation and subsequent loss of control. Hold tool with both hands to maximize control.
NOTICE: If drilling thin material, use a wood "back‑up" block to prevent damage to the material.

1. Turn the mode selector to the drill bit symbol .
2. Use sharp drill bits only. For Wood, use twist bits, spade bits, power auger bits or hole saws. For Metal, use high‑speed steel twist drill bits or hole saws. Use a cutting lubricant when drilling metals. The exceptions are cast iron and brass which should be drilled dry. For MASONRY, such as brick, cement, cinder block, etc., use carbide‑tipped bits rated for percussion drilling.
3. Always apply pressure in a straight line with the bit. Use enough pressure to keep drill biting, but DO NOT push hard enough to stall the motor or deflect the bit.
4. Hold tool firmly with both hands to control the twisting action of the drill. If model is not equipped with side handle, grip drill with one hand on the handle and one hand on the battery pack.
   
   Drill may stall if overloaded causing a sudden twist. Always expect the stall. Grip the drill firmly to control the twisting action and avoid injury.
5. IF DRILL STALLS, it is usually because it is being overloaded or improperly used. RELEASE TRIGGER IMMEDIATELY, remove drill bit from work, and determine cause of stalling. DO NOT depress TRIGGER ON AND OFF IN AN ATTEMPT TO START A STALLED DRILL — THIS CAN DAMAGE THE DRILL.
6. To minimize stalling or breaking through the material, reduce pressure on drill and ease the bit through the last fractional part of the hole.
7. Keep the motor running when pulling the bit back out of a drilled hole. This will help prevent jamming.
8. With variable speed drills there is no need to center punch the point to be drilled. Use a slow speed to start the hole and accelerate by squeezing the trigger harder when the hole is deep enough to drill without the bit skipping out.

Drilling in Metal
An SDS plus® to round shank adaptor chuck is required. Ensure that tool is in drill‑only mode. Start drilling with slow speed and increase to full power while applying firm pressure on the tool. A smooth even flow of metal chips indicates the proper drilling rate. Use a cutting lubricant when drilling metals. The exceptions are cast iron and brass which should be drilled dry.
NOTE: Large (5/16" to 1/2" [7.9 mm to 12.7 mm]) holes in steel can be made easier if a pilot hole (5/32" to 3/16" [4 mm to 4.8 mm]) is drilled first.

Drilling in Wood
An SDS plus® to round shank adaptor chuck is required. Ensure that tool is in drill‑only mode. Start drilling with slow speed and increase to full power while applying firm pressure on the tool. Holes in wood can be made with the same twist drills used for metal. These bits may overheat unless pulled out frequently to clear chips from the flutes. For larger holes, use spade bits, power auger bits, or hole saws. Work that is apt to splinter should be backed up with a block of wood.

Drilling in Masonry
When drilling in masonry, use carbide‑tipped bits rated for percussion drilling and be certain that the bits are sharp. Use a constant and firm force on the tool to drill most effectively. A smooth, even flow of dust indicates the proper drilling rate.

Hammerdrill Operation (Fig. H)

1. Turn the mode selector to the drill bit and hammer symbol .
2. When drilling, use just enough force on the hammer to keep it from bouncing excessively or "rising" off the bit. Too much force will cause slower drilling speeds, overheating, and a lower drilling rate.
3. Drill straight, keeping the bit at a right angle to the work. DO NOT exert side pressure on the bit when drilling as this will cause clogging of the bit flutes and a slower drilling speed.
4. When drilling deep holes, if the hammer speed starts to drop off, pull the bit partially out of the hole with the tool still running to help clear debris from the hole.
5. For masonry, use carbide‑tipped bits or masonry bits. A smooth even flow of dust indicates the proper drilling rate.

Chipping and Chiselling (Fig. H)

1. To select chipping mode, adjust the mode selector knob to the hammer symbol .
2. Insert the appropriate chisel into the chuck and rotate it by hand to lock it into one of 51 positions.
3. Adjust the side handle as required.
4. Switch on the tool and start working.
5. Always switch off the tool when work is finished.

MAINTENANCE

To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn unit off and remove the battery pack before making any adjustments or removing/installing attachments or accessories. An accidental start‑up can cause injury.
Your DeWALT power tool has been designed to operate over a long period of time with a minimum of maintenance. Continuous satisfactory operation depends upon proper tool care and regular cleaning.

Cleaning

Blow dirt and dust out of all air vents with clean, dry air at least once a week. To minimize the risk of eye injury, always wear ANSI Z87.1 approved eye protection when performing this procedure.

Never use solvents or other harsh chemicals for cleaning the non‑metallic parts of the tool. These chemicals may weaken the plastic materials used in these parts. Use a cloth dampened only with water and mild soap. Never let any liquid get inside the tool; never immerse any part of the tool into a liquid.

Accessories

Since accessories, other than those offered by DeWALT, have not been tested with this product, use of such accessories with this product could be hazardous. To reduce the risk of injury, only DeWALT recommended accessories should be used with this product.
Recommended accessories for use with your product are available at extra cost from your local dealer or authorized service center. If you need assistance in locating any accessory, please contact DeWALT. Call 1‑800‑4‑DeWALT (1‑800‑433‑9258) or visit our website: www.dewalt.com.

Dust Extraction System (Fig. J)
The use of a dust extraction system is recommended to reduce potentially harmful airborne dust and to prolong tool and accessory life.
Consult your dealer for further information on suitable dust extraction systems.

Repairs
The charger and batteries are not serviceable. There are no serviceable parts inside the charger or battery pack.

To assure product SAFETY and RELIABILITY, repairs, maintenance and adjustment (including brush inspection and replacement, when applicable) should be performed by a factory service center or an authorized service center. Always use identical replacement parts.

Register Online
Register your product now for:

• WARRANTY SERVICE: Registering your product will help you obtain more efficient warranty service in case there is a problem with your product.
• COBFIRMATION OF OWNERSHIP: In case of an insurance loss, such as fire, flood or theft, your registration of ownership will serve as your proof of purchase.
• FOR YOUR SAFETY: Registering your product will allow us to contact you in the unlikely event a safety notification is required under the Federal Consumer Safety Act.
• Register online at www.dewalt.com/account‑login.

Maximum Recommended Capacities

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

BE SURE TO FOLLOW SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS
For assistance with your product, visit our website at www.dewalt.com for a list of service centers, or call DeWALT at 1‑800‑4‑DeWALT (1‑800‑433‑9258).

If you have questions or comments, contact us.
1-800-4-DeWALT