Should I use hammer setting on drill?

When it comes to using the hammer setting on a drill, there are a few key factors to consider before deciding if it’s the right choice for your project. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over the pros and cons of hammer drills, how they work, what materials they can drill into, safety tips, and provide a clear recommendation on when you should use hammer mode for optimal results.

What is a Hammer Drill?

A hammer drill is a power drill that has a hammer setting or mode. This setting makes the drill bit pound in and out while it’s spinning, allowing it to drill into very hard materials like concrete, brick, and stone. The hammering motion provides impact force in addition to the rotation which helps break apart tough materials.

Regular drill/drivers only rotate the bit and can struggle with masonry and concrete. But hammer drills have an additional ratcheting mechanism that creates substantial percussive force. This pulsating action mimics a hammer chiseling away at hard materials.

Here are some key things to know about hammer drills:

• Designed for drilling into concrete, brick, mortar, etc. where extra power is needed
• The hammer mechanism engages separately from the rotation
• Provide impact force of 10,000-50,000 blows per minute
• Require special bits (like masonry/concrete bits) to withstand hammering
• Heavier and bulkier than standard drills due to hammer mechanism

In summary, the hammer function allows efficient drilling through tough materials by providing percussive hammering along with rotation. This combination bores holes with greater ease compared to standard drill rotation alone.

Pros of Using Hammer Drill Setting

Here are some of the main benefits of using the hammer setting on a drill:

• Drills into hard materials – The hammering action can penetrate dense concrete, brick, mortar and other masonry materials much better than a standard drill.
• Creates larger holes – The impact force assists in drilling wider holes more quickly in hard materials compared to just using rotation.
• Requires less force – The hammer mechanism does a lot of work for you, so less physical pressure is required.
• Less binding – Hammering helps prevent the bit from getting stuck or binding up in really hard material.
• Versatile – Most hammer drills allow disengaging the hammer function for drilling into wood or metal.

The impact force is the biggest advantage and makes drilling concrete, stone, and bricks much easier and faster. For big holes or anchors in thick concrete, using hammer mode can save a lot of effort and time.

Cons of Using Hammer Drill Setting

Here are some potential downsides to using the hammer setting:

• Increased vibration – The pounding hammer mechanism creates more vibration which can numb hands.
• Louder noise – There is a loud rapid hammering sound that can be unpleasant without hearing protection.
• Not for soft materials – The impact action can damage wood, plastic and light metal, so hammer mode should not be used.
• More expensive – Hammer drills cost substantially more than standard drills primarily due to the hammer mechanism.
• Heavier – The extra weight of hammer drills can make them unwieldy for big overhead jobs or all day use.

While the hammer function provides big benefits for concrete drilling, it does create more vibration and noise. The cost is also higher, so you need to determine if a hammer drill is warranted for your needs.

How Hammer Drills Work

Hammer drills work by using an electromechanical system to translate rotary motion into hammering along the drill axis. Here’s an overview of how they work:

1. An electric motor provides rotary power like a standard drill.
2. A special ratcheting gear mechanism is enabled when hammer mode is activated.
3. The gears convert the rotary motion into linear impacts that drive the bit in and out while spinning.
4. This hammering action provides percussive force in addition to rotation for drilling.
5. The combined effect bores holes much faster and easier in concrete and masonry.

Hammer drills utilize impact mechanisms like a cam-and-hammer design that provides thousands of pulsing blows per minute. Sophisticated clutches precisely regulate the impacts for optimized drilling in varying materials.

While the inner workings are complex, the basic idea is simple – use gears and motion conversion to mechanically produce a hammering action as the drill spins. This mimics how a hammer and chisel works, but at very high speed and power.

Hammer Drill Mechanisms

There are two main types of mechanisms used in hammer drills:

• Electropneumatic – Uses an air-driven piston system requiring a separate air compressor.
• Electromechanical – All-electric using cam gears and clutches to generate impact.

Modern hammer drills are generally electromechanical as they don’t require any external air supply. The electric motor directly powers the internal hammer mechanism for maximum efficiency and convenience.

Materials Hammer Drills Can Drill Into

Hammer drills are designed specifically for drilling very hard, dense materials like:

• Concrete
• Cement
• Brick
• Concrete block
• Mortar
• Stone like granite and limestone
• Ceramics like tile
• Asphalt and blacktop

The impact hammering action allows efficient penetration into these extremely tough materials. Regular drill/drivers lack the percussive hammering force to drill holes effectively.

Hammer drills can also drill into wood, plastic and light metals. However, the hammering is excessive for soft materials and could cause damage. The hammer function should not be used for basic drilling into wood or metal studs.

Drill Bits for Hammer Drills

Special hammer drill bits with hardened tips and impact resistance are required for concrete drilling. Using regular drill bits is likely to break them or lead to excessive wear. Common types include:

• Carbide-tipped hammer bits – Very hard for drilling concrete
• Masonry drill bits – For medium hardness concrete and brick
• Install/anchors bits – For drilling anchor holes in concrete

The right concrete drill bit is essential for smooth drilling performance in hammer mode. Only bits rated and designed for hammer drilling should be used or else they can shatter from the impacts.

Safety Tips When Using Hammer Function

Here are some important safety precautions when using the hammer setting:

• Wear eye protection – fragments can fly when drilling concrete
• Use ear protection – hammer drills are very loud
• Check your grip and balance – vibration can cause you to lose hold
• Apply smooth pressure – don’t force the bit when hammering
• Allow breaks – vibration can cause numbness if used continuously
• Avoid electrical shock – don’t touch grounded metal materials
• Use dust extraction – concrete dust is hazardous to inhale

The intense hammering action can generate more hazards than regular drilling. So take precautions to protect yourself and use the tool safely.

Recommendation on Using Hammer Drill Setting

Here are some key recommendations on when to use (or not use) the hammer setting on a drill:

• Use for concrete, masonry and stone – The hammer function works extremely well for these very hard materials allowing you to drill holes with less effort.
• Don’t use on wood/metal – The hammering action can damage soft materials and is unnecessary.
• Variable speed is useful – Allows slower blows for smooth starting on concrete. Then dial up for maximum hammering power.
• Not needed for small holes – Hammer function works best for larger holes 1/4″ diameter or greater.
• Avoid overhead work – The tool’s weight and vibration can lead to rapid fatigue and less control when drilling overhead.
• Only use hammer bits – The carbide and masonry tips can withstand repeated hammer impacts.

In summary, take advantage of the hammer setting when drilling into concrete, stone and other masonry. It’s the best method for creating larger holes quickly and efficiently. But disable it when drilling into wood or metal to avoid unnecessary wear and tear.

Comparison Table of Hammer Drills vs Standard Drills

Here is a comparison of the key characteristics between hammer drills and standard rotary drills:

Feature	Hammer Drill	Standard Drill
Hammer mechanism	Yes – provides hammering impact	No – just rotary action
Hard material drilling	Excellent – concrete, masonry, etc.	Poor to Medium
Soft material drilling	Good	Excellent
Hole size capacity	Large – over 1/4″ diameter	Small to Medium
Weight	Heavier	Lighter
Cost	More expensive	Less expensive

In summary, hammer drills are optimized for heavy-duty concrete drilling whereas standard drills are better for lighter use in wood and metal. The choice depends on your project needs.

Top Hammer Drill Models

Here are some of the best hammer drill options currently available:

Brand & Model	Power	Key Features
Makita XPH07Z	Corded – 7.5 Amps	Variable speed with 2 modes. Compact and lightweight.
DEWALT DCH273B	Cordless – 20V Max	Brushless motor. 3 modes plus drilling. LED light.
Bosch 11255VSR	Corded – 10 Amps	8.5 ft-lb torque. Rotary hammer function. Vibration control.
Milwaukee 2804-22	Cordless – M18 Fuel	REDLINK brushless motor. REDLITHIUM battery. Flexible battery system.
PORTER-CABLE PCC620B	Corded – 7 Amps	Compact and budget-friendly. Keyless chuck. Overmolded grip.

Key brands like DEWALT, Makita, Milwaukee Tools, Bosch, and PORTER-CABLE all make high-performing hammer drill models. Evaluate power source, performance, features, and budget to choose the right hammer drill for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a hammer drill without the hammer function?

Yes, most hammer drills allow you to disengage the hammer mechanism and just utilize the rotation function. This allows drilling into wood, plastic and metal the same as a standard drill driver.

What size holes can a hammer drill make in concrete?

Hammer drills can make holes from very small up to 3/4″ diameter or larger in concrete. The hammer function works best for holes 1/4″ and greater. Smaller drill bits under 1/8″ may not be as effective.

How do I prevent concrete dust when hammer drilling?

Use a drill bit with built-in dust extraction ports connected to a vacuum system. Or use a roto-hammer with integrated dust collector. This contains the hazardous dust for better respiratory health.

Can I use a hammer drill bit in a regular drill?

You can use hammer drill bits in a standard drill but they will be less efficient at penetrating concrete and masonry. The hammer impacts are necessary for optimal drilling in hard materials. The bits may also wear down quicker.

What drill bit for concrete wall?

Use carbide or masonry-tipped hammer drill bits designed specifically for concrete walls. The carbide and specialty tips withstand repeated hammering impacts and abrasive concrete. Don’t use standard twist bits.

Conclusion

Hammer drills provide serious concrete drilling power thanks to their impact hammer mechanisms. This makes drilling holes in dense concrete, brick and stone much faster and easier compared to standard drills. Just be sure to use special hammer bits and take safety precautions when operating.

Consider a hammer drill if you frequently need to drill larger holes in concrete walls, foundations, patios, or other masonry materials. But for softer woods and metals, you can save money with a basic drill/driver. Evaluate your project needs to determine if a hammer drill’s performance merits the higher price over a standard rotary drill.