How to choose a hammer drill for personal use?
Choosing the right drilling tool means making home repairs easier for a long time. How to successfully choose a puncher so as not to overpay for the brand and get high-quality equipment?
Several decades ago, only powerful electric drills equipped with drills for metal and concrete were used in everyday life. A truly branded, specialized tool was sold only abroad, you could not just go to a construction supermarket and choose a suitable device.
Everything is changing, and the shortage of goods for the population has turned into retail trade, associated with trade and competition. Now there is no problem with availability, but there are snags with the selection of the right tool model, the choice of an honest manufacturer.
What is the difference between a drill and a hammer drill and vice versa
The hammer drill is characterized by a longitudinal axial movement of the working part, similar to an impact drill. Therefore, hammer drills are confused with a heavy drill. In words, there is practically no difference, however, the hammer drill functions on the basis of pneumatics, and any impact (heavy) drill works thanks to mechanics.
We come to the conclusion that the hammer drill should be larger and more massive than a drill with an impact function.
Punch device and characteristics
All punchers are divided into three types in terms of functionality:
- Single-mode. Impact drilling function only. Most often, such perforators are not used in everyday life, but are used as professional additional equipment for narrow purposes.
- Dual mode. Hammer drilling plus classic drilling or chiseling only.
- Three-mode. The tool is equipped with all the functions specified in paragraphs 1 and 2.
The choice of a hammer drill is based primarily on the characteristics of power and impact force. The higher these figures, the better the hammer to be fitted.
The impact force of the tool is sometimes not proportional to the power due to design considerations.
Types of working chuck for rock drill:
- usual;
- quick-clamping.
Which drill chuck to choose? For household or household chores, the keyless keyless model is best suited. Changing the nozzle in this version is convenient, easy and quick.
Rock drill classification by weight:
- Lungs. Up to 4 kilograms. Power is no more than 700 watts. Only available with SDS-plus chuck for 26 mm drill bits.
- Average. 4 to 8 kilograms. Power from 700 to 1500 watts. Depending on the equipment, both SDS-plus and SDS-max are equipped.
- Heavy. More than 8 kilograms. Power is over 1500 watts. Equipped only with SDS-max chuck for diameters up to 60 mm.
Manufacturer Bosch equips its latest rock drills with SDS-top chucks for diameters from 16 to 25 mm.
Energy and frequency of impacts
For a hammer drill, the impact function, measured in joules, is very important. The impact energy affects the performance of the device, as well as the diameter of the hole to be machined. For daily work with a hammer drill, this is one of the most important indicators.
It is essential that an impact drill at the "maximum" will very quickly deplete its resource, and with a hammer drill they perform this work for a long time without wear, especially with a single-mode model.
The frequency of impacts also affects the speed of the tool. The more often the piston of the rock drill hits the working element, the faster the hole is punched.
It turns out that energy and frequency determine the level of performance. When choosing a perforator on your own, you need to estimate the amount of work on chiselling, then, according to the specified characteristics of the impact frequency, calculate the approximate productivity.
How to choose a hammer drill for home
The best way to start the selection is to build on weight and power. Super-productive models for the home are definitely not needed.
Domestic hammer drills are mid-range tools in terms of cost, power and weight.
Suitable criteria for home conditions and the following brands:
- Power from 600 to 900 watts.
- Impact from 1.2 to 2.2 J.
- Three-mode medium punch. Drilling, drilling with impact, impact without rotation.
- The rotation speed is necessarily regulated.
- Anti-jamming clutch.
- Keyless chuck.
- Replaceable branded cartridge included.
According to these characteristics, three leading brands are distinguished:
- Makita... Light enough drills and hammer drills, with a guarantee of several years. They have established themselves as tools for everyday household work, easy repairs. Average market price available, easy to operate. How to choose a hammer drill for home is this brand? Users refer to the Makita RK 2450 model. The required (useful) power is 700 watts, a shock of 3 joules, revolutions up to 4.5 thousand.
- Bosch. German quality and assembly. Leading edge in professional power tools and household equipment. Any models have been tested by time and weather conditions. Rotary hammers are equipped with a function of precise adjustment of the nozzle speed (drill, drill). When purchasing equipment from this manufacturer, pay attention to the color of the case. Blue classifies precisely the professional purpose. The most popular model is BOSCH GBH 2-24 DF. With a power of 790 watts, a shock of 2.7 J, the set includes a SDS-plus interchangeable chuck and a classic keyless chuck.
- Hitachi. The best tool in our market from Japan. Priced in the same category as the Makita, but some power tools, including rotary hammers, are lighter in weight. Are you wondering which hammer drill to choose from this manufacturer? Pay attention to the Hitachi DH 22 PG, 620 watts, 1.4 joules of impact and weighing only 1.9 kilograms.
You do not need to trust a consultant in the selection of a perforator, or any other technique. The maximum is to listen to recommendations. You need to choose and buy a model that best suits your personal requirements.