How do you choose a hammer drill?
Choose hammer drill
Which hammer drill suits you best depends on a few specifications. Ask yourself these questions:
- In which materials do you want to drill?
- How demanding are the jobs?
- What kind of DIYer are you?
- Do you choose a battery or the power grid?
- Which accessories do you need?
In which materials do you want to drill?
If you want to drill in concrete, you can choose between a hammer drill or combi hammer. Which one is the most suitable for you depends on your usage situation. Do you want to do demolition work in addition to drilling into concrete? Choose a combi hammer. If you just want to drill holes, a hammer drill is the right choice.
How demanding are the jobs?
| Drill diameter in concrete | Required impact power | |
|---|---|---|
| Light jobs | Less than 20mm | Less than 2 Joule |
| Average jobs | 21 - 24mm | 2 - 3 Joule |
| Demanding jobs | More than 25mm | More than 3 Joule |
Do you choose a battery or the power grid?
The advantage of a cordless hammer drill is the freedom of movement. You can get started anywhere, even in places without power. In addition, you don't have to keep the length of a power cord in mind. The downside is that the battery runs empty. That's why you should always have an extra charged battery.
Which accessories do you need?
To drill in concrete, you need a hammer drill and a concrete drill bit. These have a blunt head with fins, and they're made of extremely hard material. When you're buying a concrete drill bit, keep the fit in mind. A hammer drill always has an SDS plus or SDS max drill head, so be sure to check which drill bits you need. Do you also want to drill in stone? Choose a set that contains both stone drill bits and concrete drill bits.
