Hammer Drill vs Regular Drill vs Rotary Hammer (Design, Motor & Price)

Difference between Hammer Drill vs Regular Drill vs Rotary Hammer

A brief introduction to drills and their types

Power tools come in handy in  a variety of situations. These are used by professionals, as well as regular homeowners alike. Power tools like drills can be used in a variety of situations. You might be working on a home improvement project, or just looking to hang a painting, there are plenty of scenarios where you might end up needing a drill.  Often times, having the wrong type of drill can do more damage than good. So, educating yourself about these tools is ideal.

Drills are basically power tools that are used for the purpose of drilling holes into surfaces. Different surface need different intensities to get through, and to meet these differences there are different types of drills available today.

You can differentiate between these types by simply keeping in mind a few features that make these drills different. We’ll also discuss in this article, the working of these different types of drills. We’ll be discussing the regular drills, Rotary hammers, and hammer drills. So, without further ado, let’s jump into it –

Hammer drills –

hammer drills are more powerful than regular drills. The design is more sophisticated, and can handle more the the regular model. They have an impact mechanism that generates a hammering motion, providing quicker drilling with less effort.

Design –

Design is definitely more sophisticated than regular drills. The hammering option turns on the hammering action that makes it easier to get through. In addition to having the hammering motion, a hammer drill can also be used as a regular drill by turning off the hammering option. It is up to you to decide what your project requires. This function makes it appropriate for heavy duty as well as regular tasks.

Motors –

These machines have powerful motors that produce more watts of energy, perfect for breaking through some of the toughest materials. These drills are designed to endure the heavy pressures from hard materials.

Price –

Price of the hammer drills might be more than your average drill, but these drills are worth every penny. You can finish off simple and complex works, just like that.

A hammer drill comprises of two discs with ridges, very similar to ridges on a poker chip . One disc as it slides past the other, rises and falls and results in chuck going forward and back with force. In case of no force on the chuck, discs are separated by a clutch and the pounding action is cut short, saving wear and tear.

Regular Drills –

Regular drills are the best option for you, if you just want to do light drilling. You can accomplish so much with just the regular drill. There is no point in investing in a rotary or hammer drill if there is no need of it. You should always before buying consider what is it that you need a drill for. Now, let’s get back to the regular drill.

Regular drills have following features that differentiate them from rotary hammers and hammer drills.

Design –

A Regular drill is usually really light. This makes carrying it around very easy. You can Count on making precise holes with this one. Lighter design also ensure a firm grim, and lessens chances of inaccuracy and accidents.

Motors –

Regular drills have motors that are usually smaller in size. These motors produce smaller amounts of power. this makes them good for drilling in lighter surfaces life wood, plaster, and softer materials. There are ways you can drill in concrete, but it is usually better to switch to drill more power for that, like a hammer drill. These are best for smaller projects.

Price –

Price of a regular drill is less than rotary hammers, and hammer drills. Home owners who want a drill for smaller projects, a regular drill is the right purchase.

A regular drills is easier to work with. You can hold it easily and move it around with ease. There are things you can keep in mind while using one of these though.

• Know your drill. read the manual thoroughly, and get comfortable with your machine. Always keep safety in mind.
• Use the right drill bit for your project. Find out the requirements first and then start with the project. Hard surfaces require higher quality drill bits for their working.
• Hold the drill properly and determine and set the right depth. Mark your target and then begin.
• Keep emptying out the dust for better drilling.

Rotary hammers –

Although rotary hammers and hammer drills are both used for tough projects, what differentiates them is their working mechanisms. But let’s talk machines first.

Design –

Rotary hammers have complex designs as well, and are made to drill through hard surfaces. They are very powerful, even more so than the hammer drills. They are very effective indeed in efficient drilling. Rotary hammers can be switched to hammer mode and, there are plenty of attachments that you can put on the machine. It is a must have tool for all handymen.

Motors –

These drills have powerful motors that help in accomplishing the heavy duty work. More advanced rotary hammers are safer and easier to handle, and can complete task quickly.

Price –

This power tool can cost you, but if you’re bothering to buy it, you mean serious business. If you have that sort of work, it is the perfect tool. They are pretty popular among the professionals.

A rotary hammer drill works on a  piston mechanism. It produces a much more powerful impact, than regular, or hammer drills. The rotation in a rotary hammer is  much slower than a typical hammer drill.

The tungsten carbide drill bit used is different than that of the other two, and SDS shanks are typically used.

If you’re looking to just do a little bit of home work with not a lot of heavy stuff, regular drill is good, but hammer drill is ideal for, “Just in case”. A hammer drill and a rotary hammer imply heavy duty, and so if that’s what you’re going to do, these are better option than a regular drill.

Here’s a video explaining hammer drill vs rotary hammer-