"Drill w/Hammer Action" vs "Hammer Drill"

[BDFan1981]

We know for a fact not all hammer drills, or any kind of drill out there, are created equal.

What I want to know is this: would it be slightly different if the drill was advertised as having "hammer action" vs. an actual "hammer drill / hammer gun"?

~Ben

 

[rlitman]

Nope, same thing. Neither is a rotary hammer.

 

[mrpizza]

What is the purpose of the hammer setting on them? Is it just like using a hex impact driver for screws?

 

[mitusa]

Mine has a hammer setting and I bought a "bit" that looks like a big chisel. I use it like an air chisel.

 

[bob15]

What is the purpose of the hammer setting on them? Is it just like using a hex impact driver for screws?

You can use the hammer/drill for small masonry drill bits and driving lags into wood.

A rotary hammer is only used for masonry drilling are large holes and deep holes (example: Red Head or a Hilti).

You aren't going to use a hammer/drill to drill 1.5" holes in cement 30" deep and you won't use a rotary hammer to drill 1/4" holes 2" deep for an anchor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_hammer#Rotary_hammers


bob

 

[mrpizza]

Gotcha, so hammer drill function for small holes and lag bolts, and sds rotary hammer for big holes in masonry. Thanks!

 

[mrjaw14]

No they aren't the same just one is bigger. A hammer drill always spins. it can just drill, it can hammer drill, but it's always spinning. a SDS drill can drill, hammer drill, or hammer only. That's useful for chisel bits, driving ground rods or shovel bits. SDS is a serious construction tool, a hammer drill is just a drill with the ability to work in masonry as well.

 

[Monte]

rotary hammer drill:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ui83dwv2vzc?list=FLB79yG2jH0aMccppbMrdL-w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

percussion or hammer drill:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GL9wazvPHEs?list=FLB79yG2jH0aMccppbMrdL-w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Krokodil]

Nice vids, Monte!

 

[KnurledNut]

We know for a fact not all hammer drills, or any kind of drill out there, are created equal.

What I want to know is this: would it be slightly different if the drill was advertised as having "hammer action" vs. an actual "hammer drill / hammer gun"?

~Ben

From my experience, the CORDED hammer drills (i have milwaukee and hilti) hit harder than the battery powered versions. This is likely because of the RPM and power difference.

You aren't going to use a hammer/drill to drill 1.5" holes in cement 30" deep and you won't use a rotary hammer to drill 1/4" holes 2" deep for an anchor.
bob

I agree with the former, but disagree with the latter. I use my rotary hammers (SDS and spline w/ SDS adaptor) frequently for drilling tapcon/anchor holes. 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16 holes.

 

[BDFan1981]

Thank you everybody.

 

[BDFan1981]

One corded hammer drill that actually had a hammer mode only was the Skil "Xtra Tool." Two models existed: the 599 (3/8" chuck) and the 600 (1/2" chuck). These were produced from the mid 1970s to the mid 1990s.

~Ben

 

[rlitman]

I agree with the former, but disagree with the latter. I use my rotary hammers (SDS and spline w/ SDS adaptor) frequently for drilling tapcon/anchor holes. 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16 holes.

I was just going to say the same thing.

 

[BFBOB]

To answer part 2 of the OP's question, an impact driver applies the impact radially; rotary hammers and hammer drills apply the impact axially.

Oh, and rotary hammers are tools; hammer drills are toys.