Cordless Drill vs Cordless Hammer Drill
At first look, a cordless drill and a cordless hammer drill seem like very similar tools. They look similar and are even used for some of the same projects. But hammer drills have one key advantage, making them much more useful and, I believe, worth the additional cost. Read on the learn about the great advantages of a hammer drill and a simple cost comparison.
What is a Hammer Drill
A hammer drill, also called a rotary hammer, is a drill equipped with a hammering action. Image a drill with a jackhammer inside. That means that as you drill, there is a repeated, pounding force that breaks through difficult materials. Hammer drills are just about a necessity when drilling through masonry, stone, or concrete.
The hammering action occurs because of a unique clutch that punches in and out as the drill bit spins. The Blows per Minute (BPM) do not carry that much force however they occur so rapidly that the drill is able to break through tough materials.
Today, most hammer drills feature a toggle to enable or disable the hammer clutch. That makes them even more versatile as they can be used for conventional drilling projects like woodwork.
Advantages of a Hammer Drill
I was recently drilling a few holes in the block wall of my basement. Using my typical, 14.4 volt, NiCad drill/driver it took about 5 minutes with all the pressure I could muster to drill one hole. Using an 18 volt, NiCad hammer drill, I could drill the hole in about 15 seconds. Plus I didn’t have to put all my weight behind it.
Hammer drills are also very easy to operate. The hammering action is not a violent motion. It takes place without the user feeling anything. If you can manage a regular drill, you can handle a hammer drill.
Hammer Drill Cost Comparison
I’d argue that a hammer drill is worth the additional cost. For a quick comparison, here is a DeWalt drill/driver and a DeWalt hammer drill. (Pictures link to amazon)
Drill/driver
The DeWalt drill/driver is a quality tool – powerful enough to handle most DIY jobs, ½” chuck, 14.4 volt, and only 4.3 lbs. At $179.00, it’s not a bad purchase but it’ll never hold up when you start trying to drill pilot holes for masonry screws. If you ever need to drill into stone or masonry, you’ll be renting or borrowing a hammer drill.
Hammer drill
The DeWalt hammer drill is a more capable tool – 34,000 BPM, 1.2-inch metal ratcheting chuck, and 500 in./lbs. of torque. It costs $250.00, but it’ll be the only drill you ever need.
What do you think? Do you think the hammer drill is a worthwhile investment?
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2 Responses to Cordless Drill vs Cordless Hammer Drill
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November 4th, 2009 1:14 pm
I have a corded Mastercraft 1/2″ hammer drill and it was a great investment. I paid $60 for the drill in a case with a boat load of bits and attachments.
November 4th, 2009 2:31 pm
I have the 18v DeWalt, too. Never failed me and very useful. Have to confess to buying mine off eBay for <$90.
-Jon