What is a Hammer Drill? And What Are They Used For?

You might think your regular power drill is enough to take on any task. However, if you suddenly find yourself needing to drill multiple large-width holes in the concrete of your basement wall, for example, you may end up pulling most of your hair out before you complete the project.

For jobs like this, you may need a drill that packs a little more punch.

Is the hammer drill the right tool for your needs? In this brief guide, we’ll explore the many uses of a hammer drill and whether you should consider purchasing one.

What Is a Hammer Drill?

The hammer drill, also known as a percussion or impact drill, is a popular addition to virtually any toolbox due to its ability to drill holes in extremely hard surfaces.

These drills are typically used when extreme force is required.

Compared to drills, the best hammers drills are capable of withstanding more wear and tear from the strong material they drill through.

Technically speaking, any drill that uses a hammer mechanical motion to bore a hole is a considered a hammer drill.

What Are Hammer Drills Used For?

Hammer drills are the perfect tool to bore holes in material that might be difficult to work with when using less powerful tools. Whether you need to tear apart ceramic tiles or bore holes in concrete, a high-quality hammer drill won’t disappoint. You can use this tool to bore holes in hard materials so that you can insert screws, bolts, and even small plugs.

How Do Hammer Drills Work?

The hammer drill gets its name from creating a hammer-like motion when in use. Its quick and repetitive “hammering” of the drill bit against concrete, stone, and masonry allows the tool to create holes in these incredibly hard surfaces.

If you used a standard drill on these hard surfaces, you would quickly find that it doesn’t have the required power to drill a hole effectively. Though you might be able to create the hole eventually, the hammer drill allows you to get the job done in a significantly shorter period.

What Types of Hammer Drills are Available?

Today, most hammer drills are cordless, allowing for greater portability; however, you can still purchase one of these drills with a cord if you prefer. That way, in addition to getting extra power, you won’t have to worry about recharging a battery between uses.

In addition to both corded and battery-operated models, you can choose between a percussion and a pneumatic hammer drill.

• Percussion hammer drill: relies on a much softer and less powerful hammering motion, but is generally much easier to handle.
• Pneumatic hammer drill: is much stronger, so it’s usually reserved for projects that require significant amounts of drilling power.
• Rotary hammer drill: Also known as SDS drills, provide even more power, should you need to bore larger or deeper holes. As the tool industry continues to innovate, new types of hammer drills continue to offer more power and flexibility for all your construction or home improvement needs.

Can a Hammer Drill Be Used as a Regular Drill?

The majority of hammer drills on the market today can also be switched to a standard drill mode, which allows you to use the tool as a high-quality electric screwdriver without the excess power.

Most hammer drills are primarily a two-in-one tool that you can use for many home projects.

Do You Need A Hammer Drill?

Hammer drills are one of the most versatile drills on the market today. They’re especially useful if you need to bore holes into tough surfaces such as masonry, stone, or concrete. Though you likely won’t use the hammer drill on a daily basis for your DIY renovation projects, it is a crucial staple in most toolboxes.

If you plan on working with hard surfaces for an upcoming project, you should seriously consider investing in a high-quality hammer drill to make your life easier.