An impact hammer or a rotary hammer?

When to use a impact hammer and when to use a rotary hammer? An impact hammer is popularly known as the machine for drilling into stone and concrete. However, the rotary hammer changed that in the 1980s. In this article we explain the difference.

Basics of an Impact Hammer:

An impact hammer only functions when counter pressure is applied to the drill bit. The mechanism that provides the impact motion is located inside the drill, behind the drill head. Mounted on the drill bit there is a plate disc, which is serrated on one side. Each flute is triangular in cross-section, with a long upward side, and a short, almost perpendicular, downward side. A similar disc is opposite, mounted firmly in the machine, with the flute facing each other. A spring pushes the 2 plate discs apart. When the mechanism is engaged, the serrated pattern of the sides will fit together as soon as pressure is applied to the drill shaft. The clockwise rotation of the shaft will cause the long flute sides to slide over each other, driving the 2 discs apart, causing the drill and machine to separate in back to back. At the end of the flute, they fall back together again, under the pressure exerted on the machine. And so the process begins again.

Advantages:

The advantage of using an impact hammer is that you can also drill accurately into wood and metal.
The fast rotation creates a very strong vibration, capable of pulverizing soft stone.
The high friction within the machine reduces the performance effectiveness to zero.
When the impact drill is switched off, this position is blocked and the discs do not touch each other.

Check our battery impact hammers or impact hammers

Not suitable for drilling into concrete

Because concrete has become so hard in recent decades, it is almost impossible to get into it with an impact hammer tool. Therefore, the impact drill is not suitable for drilling into concrete.

The purchase of concrete/stone drills with smooth shanks is expensive and slowly becoming obsolete. This is why this type of stone or concrete drill is hardly ever sold in specialist shops. Only hardware stores and DIY stores continue to sell these items, due to the high profit margin and rapid wear. Do you want to drill specifically in concrete and stone? Then Toolnation recommends switching to a rotary hammer.

Basics of a rotary hammer:

A rotary hammer works completely differently from an impact hammer. Without any counter pressure, the machine runs effortlessly into the stone or concrete. A rotary hammer is equipped with a pneumatic mechanism that builds up pressure. The pressure build-up initiates the hammering motion. The rotary hammer is usually equipped with an SDS-Plus connection for fast changing of drills or chisels.

Which rotary hammer should I choose?

For drilling into concrete up to 16 mm, we recommend a rotary hammer with an SDS-Plus connection.
If you want to drill larger diameters, we recommend a rotary hammer with SDS-max connection.
For light chiseling work in brick stone, a number of lighter 2 and 3 kilo rotary hammers are available, these are equipped with a so-called chisel function.

When should I not choose a rotary hammer?

For drilling in wood and metal, a rotary hammer is generally not used because of its lower precision. However, if the case is that you need to drill into wood and metal occasionally. Then we recommend using a drill hammer with a head that can be changed on the shaft. These machines are then equipped with the possibility of using a normal gear rack or an SDS-Plus drill head.
For rotary hammers from 4 kilograms with a chisel function, you can do heavier hacking and breaking work, however: The rule applies: "Do you drill 60% or more? Buy a rotary hammer."
If you are breaking more than 40%, buy a separate breaker without a drill function.
Chiseling with a rotary hammer (of any weight class), will always do more damage to a machine with a rotary mechanism than without!

Check our rotary hammer or battery rotary hammer

Due to the higher wear and tear of both the impact hammer and rotary hammer, we always advise to get informed about which machine to buy. At Toolnation you often receive extra warranty, we are Premium dealers of everything and have our own service repair station.