Hammer Drill vs Rotary Hammer: A Heavyweight Comparison
When it comes to the really tough DIY jobs, a hammer drill and a rotary hammer are your first choice. Which power tool is right for which task and what do you need to know about using them? This tool duel has the answers!
Rotary Hammer Profile
Name: Rotary Hammer
Speciality: Heavy-duty demolition and renovation work on concrete, natural stone, and masonry
Suitable for: Hard masonry, all materials from stone and wood to metal
Functions: Drilling, impact drilling, chiselling, hammer drilling (with appropriate interchangeable chucks)
Hammer Drill Profile
Name: Hammer Drill
Speciality: Precise work for many DIY projects (e.g. putting up a shelf)
Suitable for: Soft masonry, natural stone, lightweight concrete, wood, metal, plastic
Functions: Drilling, hammer drilling, chiselling, grooving
Similarities & Differences
In their basic functions, impact drills and hammer drills are identical: both can drill into various materials and increase their power using a hammer action. Both types of tool are available as a handy cordless tool and as a corded power tool.
A hammer drill is equipped with either a 2-speed gearbox or a variable speed control. With the 2-speed gearbox, the first gear is ideal for drilling large holes into tougher materials like sand-lime brick, offering low speed with high torque. The second gear operates with low torque and a higher speed, allowing you to drill precise holes in wood or plastic.
A rotary hammer can not only drill but also chisel: the drill bit has room to move in its SDS chuck and can vibrate axially. There is also a key difference between an impact drill and a rotary hammer in how power is transmitted:
A rotary hammer has an automatic striking mechanism. Its power depends on the motor and its performance – in other words, on the tool itself.
With an impact drill, you control the impact force by the pressure you apply to the material – in other words, with your own strength.
If you're looking to work on very hard materials, you'll quickly reach your limits with an impact drill. On the other hand, a hammer drill has too much power to work safely on soft materials or to drill precise holes.
The most important factor is the combination of impact force, rotational speed and impact rate.
Bohrhammer | Schlagbohrer |
|
|---|---|---|
Wirkung | Kraftübertragung | Geschwindigkeit |
Schlagfrequenz | niedrig; ca. 4.000 pro Minute | hoch; ca. 40.000 pro Minute |
Schlagkraft | hoch; bis zu 30 Joule | niedrig; meist unter 1 Joule |
A rotary hammer gets its power from a high impact force, meaning it only needs a low impact rate. With a percussion drill, it’s the other way around. It works quickly but carefully into more delicate materials.
Summary: The right tool for the job
The rotary hammer is ideal for heavy-duty jobs that require a lot of power. It's often essential for renovations, breaking through walls, or for masonry work in the garden. The impact drill is the better choice for tasks that need precision and a delicate touch. It's used far more often for everyday jobs and in the workshop.
Bohrhammer | Schlagbohrer |
|---|---|
Hartes Mauerwerk stemmen + aufbrechen | Weiches Mauerwerk aufbrechen |
Materialien wie Naturstein, Beton, Granit, Vollziegel | Materialien wie Kalksandstein, Leichtbeton, Metall, Holz, Kunststoff |
Bohren großer Durchmesser (Dosensenken) | Bohren kleiner Durchmesser |
Fliesenarbeiten und Meißeln |
