A hammer drill is a tool used for efficient drilling of masonry and concrete. It combines a hammering and chiselling action with the rotary motion of the drill bit. The drill bits used are dedicated bits for masonry or concrete. Hammer drills come in a wide range of power ratings and include both AC and rechargeable battery models. They should only be used on masonry surfaces and eye protection should always be worn.
A hammer drill is a conventional hand tool equipped with an additional hammer mechanism that allows efficient drilling of masonry and concrete. The hammer mechanism typically employs a cam arrangement to repeatedly move the chuck forward against spring pressure as the drill rotates. The drill bits used with the impact function of these bits are dedicated bits for masonry or concrete with flattened tungsten carbide tips. A hammer drill can be used to drill through a variety of hard, aggregate materials such as brick, cement and concrete. These types of drills come in a wide range of power ratings and include both AC (alternating current) and rechargeable battery models.
A hammer drill is designed specifically for masonry and concrete as it combines a hammering and chiselling action in addition to the rotary motion of the drill bit. This hammer or hammer action is typically achieved with a pair of cam discs and a spring-loaded moving spindle. One disc is attached to the spindle shaft and the other to an actuator switch. When the drill is set to impact or percussion, the two discs are pressed together. As the spindle rotates, the cam surface of the discs pushes it back and forth against spring pressure, thus providing hammer action.
The masonry bits used in a hammer drill differ from conventional bits in several ways. They feature a flattened tungsten carbide tip section that is generally slightly wider than the tip shaft. This bit acts like a chisel and responds to concussive impact by chipping the material instead of cutting through it like a conventional bit does. The dust and chips are then forced out of the hole by the twist drill shaft.
Hammer drills come in a variety of sizes and designs to suit most domestic and industrial applications. They can feature motor ratings as low as 250 watts and as high as 2,000 watts. Hammer drill chucks are capable of accepting bits up to 1 inch or more in diameter. Most hammer drills are designed to run on AC power, although rechargeable cordless models are also common. Many hammer drill models include multi-speed settings that allow for better control of the drill, particularly when starting a hole.
The hammer drill is only suitable for use on masonry surfaces; it should never be used with conventional drill bits. Due to the percussive forces involved and the inherently brittle nature of drilled materials, this type of bit generates large amounts of dust and fine chips. For this reason, eye protection should always be worn when using a hammer drill. Masonry drill bits should also be regularly inspected for excessive wear or damage to prevent injury.
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