How to Choose the Right Rotary Hammer Drill for Your Needs

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Heavy-duty rotary hammers can be used for a variety of construction tasks, including breaking up concrete and brick, drilling holes in masonry walls or through materials like tile, and chipping away at rock. Once you’ve chosen the type of rotary hammer that fits your job requirements (e.g., whether you want an electric hammer vs. a pneumatic one), you also need to consider what features are most important to you when making your purchasing decision. Do you need different speed settings? How about a torque range? What type of trigger do you prefer? Are brushless motors worth the extra cost? Read on to learn how to choose the right rotary hammer drill for your needs and budget.

Decide Which Type of Rotary Hammer is Right for You

Rotary hammers are essentially heavy-duty power drills that have a hammering action. They can be used for all sorts of construction work, like breaking up concrete, breaking apart masonry, drilling through walls or tile, and chipping away at rock. Each type of rotary hammer has its own pros and cons, and you need to decide which one is best for your needs. Essentially, you want to weigh the advantages of corded vs. cordless and pneumatic vs. electric. Corded rotary hammers can be as powerful as cordless models, but they lack portability. They also often come with longer warranties than cordless models, which usually come with shorter 4-year warranties. Cordless power hammers are generally more expensive than corded models, but they are also more powerful and often feature longer warranties. You can also easily swap out batteries, which is useful if you’re working in tight spaces. Pneumatic rotary hammers are often the most powerful, but they require a compressor to operate. You also need to be careful not to over-compress the tool, because you risk damaging the motor.

Pneumatic Rotary Hammers

Air-powered rotary hammers are typically more powerful than electric or corded models. They can generate up to 20,000 blows per minute, meaning you can easily break apart concrete and masonry quickly. Some pneumatic models also feature torque settings, which allow you to adjust the amount of power being used. You can also use them for drilling holes in concrete and masonry, which can be helpful if you’re installing overhead electrical lines. Air-powered hammers are often larger and louder than their electric and corded counterparts, giving them a more industrial feel. They require an air compressor to operate, which can be a downside for some. Pneumatic hammers are ideal for people who work on large construction projects or who will be regularly drilling holes in materials like concrete, brick, and stone.

Electric Rotary Hammers

Electric rotary hammers are generally less powerful than pneumatic models, but they are also generally lighter and quieter. They are also easier to use in tight spaces. You can also easily adjust the speed, which is useful if you’re working with delicate materials. While electric rotary hammers can be used to tackle heavy-duty tasks, you’ll often need to use two tools at once to generate the same amount of power as a pneumatic model. This may not be necessary, but it is a drawback. Electric rotary hammers are generally easier to use than pneumatic models, but they require a power source, so you can’t work off-grid. You also can’t use these models for drilling holes in concrete if you plan to use a hammer-style bit.

Cordless Rotary Hammers

Cordless rotary hammers generally have a higher cost than other types of rotary hammers, but they are also more powerful and feature longer warranties than their corded counterparts. They are also lighter than pneumatic models and easier to use in tight spaces. You also don’t need to worry about maintaining an air compressor, which can be a hassle. Cordless rotary hammers are generally better for people who just need to occasionally break up concrete or install overhead wiring than for contractors who need to frequently break apart masonry. These tools are also generally more powerful than their equivalent corded counterparts, but they do come with shorter warranties, which can be a downside.

Important Corded Drill Features

Voltage - Corded rotary hammers operate at low voltage, which is generally around 10 amps. If the voltage is higher than this, you run the risk of damaging the motor. Amperage - This measurement indicates the amount of power being drawn by the tool. The higher the amp count, the more powerful the tool. No-load speed - This is the rotational speed of the motor when the tool is not loaded with any weight. It tells you how fast the tool will spin when you’re using it. Warranty - You want to find a rotary hammer drill with a long warranty because repairs can be costly.

Important Pneumatic Hammer Features

Power - The power of a pneumatic rotary hammer is measured in blows per minute (BPM), and it indicates how fast the tool can operate. The higher the BPM, the faster you can break apart materials. Torque - This is the amount of force applied to the material. The higher the torque, the more force the tool can generate, meaning it can easily break apart materials like concrete and masonry. Weight - The heavier the tool, the more powerful it is likely to be. - Noise - The noise level of a pneumatic rotary hammer indicates how noisy the tool is. The more powerful the tool, the noisier it is likely to be.

Important Electric Hammer Features

Torque - The more torque the tool has, the more forceful it is likely to be. Noise - The noise level of the tool indicates how loud it is. Weight - The heavier the tool, the more powerful it is likely to be. - Voltage - The voltage of an electric rotary hammer indicates how much power it uses.

Important Cordless Hammer Features

Torque - The higher the torque of a cordless rotary hammer, the more forceful it is likely to be. Noise - The noise level of the tool indicates how loud it is. Weight - The heavier the tool, the more powerful it is likely to be. - Voltage - The voltage of a cordless rotary hammer indicates how much power it uses.