Cheap Breaker from Mac Allister – is it good?
There are many cheap breakers on the market. From feedback I have received from my youtube channel, many have similar characteristics to the cheap breaker from Mac Allister model number MSBR1700-A is a 16.2KG Hex Shank 230V breaking tool. This comes with a pointed and flat chisel and a carry case to get your job started. It is a cheap breaker, but can it cope with real jobs?
Specification of the Mac Allister cheap breaker
The MAC ALLISTER Breaker was sold in Screwfix and currently retails in B&Q and retails between £130 – £150 and that includes free home delivery if required. It is a model that also appears to be sold under different brand names in other stores.
This cheap breaker is heavy, weighing in at just over 16kg. It has a 1700 watt motor so is reasonably powerful. It has a fan on the motor which you hear kicking in when in use so it didn’t overheat for me. When in use on longer breaking jobs you can lock the trigger on.
This breaker is providing 50j of impact energy so is standard in its class. It uses a hex tool is 30mm system. The impact rate is 1600BPM. It has a 3 metre cord length. There is an anti vibration system and the vibration produced comes in at 22.04 m/s².
Preparation for use
To load a chisel simply place it in the body and lock into place. Now plug into an RCD protected socket, and if using an extension make sure its fully unwound. There is no need to add oil. I bought some grease but the instructions do not cover whether to use this unlike other manufacturers. Before I started using this breaker I put on personal protective equipment. It is recommend to wear eye protection, gloves and steel toe cap boots. When working in close confines of potential loose masonry wear a hard hat. Ear protection is vital.
Using the cheap breaker
In this review I am breaking through a garage floor of 14cm deep in concrete. Whilst it takes several attempts, gradually breaking the concrete down in layers, it does easily break up this floor. I have to start near a tramline I cut in with an angle grinder and break from this point as it cracks the concrete. Having complete digging my trench of 2 metres in concrete I then took it outside and used it to dig a trench in earth mixed with bricks. On both breaking types the breaker gets stuck and is difficult to pull out, but that is more down to technique.
Value for money proposition
So is this cheap breaker value for money? Well compared to the competition its cheap. The carry case breaks but that is to be expected for the money paid.
My logic on the value for money was to compare it to hire costs. I would have spent £110 hiring a better machine for a weekend. This cost me around £150. However, I can sell this for at least £100 On ebay when I’m done so I’m quids in. Besides I found more jobs to use it for and ended up using it for digging a couple of trenches.
I would certainly recommend this cheap breaker and that comes from someone who often doesn’t like cheap tools!
On my youtube channel you will find videos of me using the breaker. You may be interested in my article on how to dig a trench.
