Although you may have occasionally used the traditional version, you may not know what a hammer drill is, as it is not widely used in everyday do-it-yourself. However, you may have also used an exercise and noticed that it was not powerful enough to drill a wall or some even more robust material.
Probably, it happened precisely because you didn’t have a percussion model. There are, in fact, different types of drills, and, obviously, each has a function or characteristic that distinguishes it or makes it particularly suitable for specific tasks.
The hammer drill is no exception: it is a robust and powerful tool that will make some of your operations on harder surfaces much more comfortable to complete.
Here we had selected some of the best hammer drills you can choose the one that suits your needs.
Everything You Need to Know About Hammer Drill
Going down a little more in detail, we have prepared a section with the answers to the most frequently asked questions among future buyers of a hammer drill. As we said, buying a tool when you don’t know it can be really dull, as well as stressful. By answering the most common doubts, we will try to help you understand each other a little more.
What Are Impact Drills and What Are They For?
It is usually used when extreme strength is required. Compared to regular drills, impact drills are also much more resistant and perform their work more efficiently and quickly. Technically speaking, any exercise that uses a mechanical hammer drill movement is considered a hammer drill.
With their rotary action and at the same time acting as a hammer, these drills are ideal for drilling harder surfaces than those that can be pierced by standard drills, for example, masonry and rocks. Impact drills are, therefore, potent tools and generally allow you to use different exercises, depending on the work that needs to be done.
What Types of Drills Are There?
The family of drills is quite significant since there are different types of these tools, classifiable in an infinite number of categories. However, we will focus on power and portable drills, as it is in these categories that percussion ones fall. So, we can say that there are three main types of exercises:
- Common drill
- Percussion drill
- Rotary hammer
Usually, buyers tend to get confused between the three types, as they are very similar in shape, size, and function. Add to that the fact that, in some cases, manufacturers add additional features that increase confusion. For example, some hammer drills can be used as standard drills, or a hammer drill can also function as a hammer drill.
What Should I Pay Attention to For the Maintenance of My Hammer Drill?
Impact drills and, in general, any other tool, require primary care in order to continue to function correctly and extend their useful life. The maintenance of these devices must be periodic, even better if carried out before and after each use.
We have prepared a list of useful tips for you:
- Do not exert too much pressure and let the tool do its job by itself, without forcing.
- The material you drill will determine the type of tip to use.
- Remove the dirt and rubble that remains where the bit enters the drill to avoid malfunctions and jams.
- Lubricates the tip shaft every time you change it to avoid premature wear of the spindle.
- Use manufacturer-recommended lubricants and follow weight and viscosity guidelines.
- Find out the meaning of your instrument’s LED lights (if any) and follow the recommended maintenance instructions in the instruction booklet.
- Always keep the drill and bits in their clear case after using them.
What Safety Measures Should I Take when Using a Hammer Drill?
When using power tools, the possibility of more or less severe accidents can occur, if you are unable to handle them more than well. The hammer drill is no exception. Although its use is rather “simple,” you still need to take some necessary precautions, as we explain in the following list.
- Use Eye Protection: It may seem obvious, but using eye protection is something that a surprising number of people don’t. Eye protection can prevent various materials from entering it, causing severe ailments. It may also be useful to have a dust mask, as masonry dust is not exactly pleasant to breathe.
- Exercise the Correct Pressure: Using a hammer drill is relatively simple, but it is essential to strike a balance with the pressure you will exert. Exercising too much can damage the motor and the tip. Also, make sure to use useful quality carbide tips for maximum strength and durability.
- See the Environment Around You: Before you start drilling, make sure there is nothing in the area you want to drill. For example, cables, electrical wires, and pipes could be particularly problematic. If you don’t want to have bad surprises, you need to be sure that the only thing you will drill is brickwork.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Impact Drills?
Advantages
- Provides considerable power
- Ideal for heavy work
- It easily pierces masonry and rock
- Greater versatility
- Greater resistance and durability
Disadvantages
- Larger dimensions
- Considerable weight
- Higher price
Purchase Criteria
The more powerful, specific, and expensive a tool is, the more analysis is needed to make the correct purchase. Choosing a hammer drill is not easy, as there are numerous factors to consider, such as the type of power supply (with or without cable) or the presence or absence of a depth gauge.
- Power
- Adjustable speed
- Safety
- Spindle with or without key
- Depth gauge and limiter
- Supply
- Accessories included
Power
The power of the drill defines the speed with which the hammer drill can perform its job. To drill solid materials such as concrete or stone, it is essential to have a powerful motor that does not reduce the number of rotations by meeting resistance in the material to be drilled. For home use, a 650-watt engine may be sufficient. For concrete, we recommend a more powerful motor, from 850 watts onwards.
Adjustable Speed
The adjustable speed is a handy feature because it allows you to have more control over the drill. This means that he can be much more precise in his work, so as to obtain better results. Having different speeds also allows you to use the drill for a broader range of jobs.
This feature, combined with the fact that many drills accept different types of exercises and can also drill holes in wood and metal, makes the tool even more useful.
All you have to do is select the most suitable tip and increase or decrease the revolutions per minute (rpm). However, you must do it carefully to avoid damaging the tool or material.
Safety
Safety criteria are vitally important, especially when using a powerful tool such as a hammer drill. One of the most common safety (and convenience) features is the presence of two levers and a locking button.
The best impact drills also have handles that are not only ergonomic but also allow a comfortable grip and are equipped with shock absorption technology. This is especially important in cable-powered exercises, as they are particularly compelling.
Spindle with Or without Key
Although many drills today have keyless chucks for quick and easy tip changes, it is recommended that a hammer drill be equipped with them. Being able to tighten the spindle manually means feeling more confident about the fact that the bit will remain firmly in place, even with all the rotations and repercussions of the drill in action.
Depth Gauge and Limiter
This practical function measures the depth of the hole, which, of course, helps to drill more precisely and steadily. If you need to drill many holes at a particular bottom, a depth gauge can make your life easier. It can also help you work more efficiently and without risking making mistakes.
Supply
Although power is undoubtedly a key feature, nutrition is equally important. For home or light use, cordless impact drills are much more functional. In fact, they offer great versatility and portability that a cordless drill simply cannot match.
Being able to move without being hindered by a long cable and getting to hard-to-reach areas is very useful, but it is necessary to keep in mind that a \corded hammer drill offers more revolutions per minute (rpm), therefore more power. This means that you can get a challenging job done much faster.
Accessories Included
Of course, the accessories included in the hammer drill package do not directly affect the quality. However, keep in mind that the more accessories are provided, the better it will be for you. Otherwise, you risk having to buy them separately.
Among these elements, the presence of a good case to store the drill is essential. Generally, it is included with all the drills of good quality brands and is also very useful to be able to store tips, keys, batteries, and more in the best way.
