'A very impressive hammer'

Not new to First Impressions, Steven Doughty was keen to get on with the job. First up was Thor's 27kg, 21PBE breaker.

'Vibration damped handle very good, although it takes a bit of getting used to. No vibrations at all. It's been on the market for over a year. A very simple machine. Despite being basic it's a very useful breaker. Very good once it's warmed up.'

Next in line for Doughty's scrutiny was CompAir Holman's breaker, the VR25. 'Very responsive, nice to handle, nice operation. No sharp edges. Better power to weight ratio. Very responsive and easy to use. Substantial lever action, seemed to go through the concrete relatively quickly. Are you looking to make it more safety concious?'

Ingersoll-Rand's PB50 breaker generated the following comments: 'Improve the damping. I was getting a lot of shock. The narrowness of it is useful, as is the trigger action. Comfortable to use but it shakes like an unsuppressed unit. For trenches and holes it's very good as there are no bulky parts. Performance OK, above all a nice machine. It's got the benefits of spring action, but could do with developing the downward damping, perhaps with a downward cantilever system.'

JCB's 25kg hydraulic breaker performed well according to Doughty: 'Damping is very efficient, but very soft. It responds well, but handles need to be stiffer. A very useful machine - quite powerful for a 25kg breaker. As a breaker it's very efficient. However, if the handles were stiffened it could improve controllability.'

Next in line, Atlas Copco's pneumatic breaker, the TEX 23PE, turned out to be Doughty's favourite. 'Not heavy, but very powerful. The vibro-damped handle is very efficient, not too soft or too hard. Because it's slimline, it seems easy to work. No vibrations at all. For anti-vibration it is very very good. Swivel on the hose - a distinct benefit. The hose moves with you. Damping very nice, robust handles, nice size. The trigger mechanism's response is very positive. I liked the design. When you tilt it back it rests nicely on the legs. It is a very impressive hammer. If I had to choose a breaker to use all day, this is the one. In terms of ergonomic design there are no rough or sharp edges. It can be used at an angle for trench applications and confined spaces. When it comes to maintenance the one piece is a must. I am very impressed.'

Stanley Power Tools' hydraulic breaker proved attractive. 'Vibro-damping in hand and foot area ensures greater control of breaker. The BR48 is not as noisy as some other 27kg hydraulic breakers on the market. Good damping, not too light and not as soft as the JCB hydraulic breaker. Very good to use, but feels a little cumbersome compared with other breakers. Maybe it's a little outdated - it could do with streamlining. But from an operator's point of view it is very compact. It is a bit heavier in the hammer itself, but it is a very impressive hydraulic unit. I like the damping system and the balance is fine. It is as powerful, if not more so, than some air breakers.'

Moving on to test the Maco Sullair product, namely the MK20+ pneumatic weighing in at 27.3kg, Doughty said: 'Feathering on the slow stroke - useful for precision work. The swivel coupling can move the hose around depending on the angle of the breaker. Breaking capacity similar to other breakers. Feathering useful for tarmac. Dampening pretty good, there's very little shakeback. A very nice looking unit - very few things to break off or get caught.'

'It has been very good to have all these machines in one place. Each has its own benefits. The two best for me were Atlas Copco's, and the Compair model - a very efficient breaker.'