Hammer Drill ?

fr8train

Is the hammer function on the newer cordless drill/driver/hammer models like an impact driver? I know it's not the same as a rotary hammer or an sds. I am shopping around for a new cordless drill, and I already have an impact driver. I'm just curious as to the functionality of the hammer setting on these new drills.

For clarification, a drill like this Dewalt

Thanks in advance,
Mike

Inner10

Impact driver is completely different, using an impact is like putting a wrench on a fastner and hammering it around in a circle, allowing you to tighten bolts and screws alot more then a conventional drill.

A hammerdrill hammers the bit into the drilling material to break it apart, such as for drilling concrete.

I have that drill although I rarely use it since its a little bulky, good all around 18v cordless drill but the hammer feature is more of a novelty. I've used it for the occasional 3/16 tapcon but thats about all they are good for. They should call it vibrate not hammer.

Chris G

I have that Dewalt. It works just fine. At a guess I would say you can drill a hole about 2 x as fast on the hammer setting as opposed to non-hammer. Not earth shattering, but it works well. That particular model is very durable, a little heavy mind you.

More than anything, get yourself some good bits. Bosch makes nice hard sharp bits that seem to last a long time. Those bits you get with Tapcons only last 3 or 4 holes.

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platinumLLC

I have that same drill also, got a good deal on the kit. As mentioned the hammer is for drilling concrete and block. It works good and is really convenient when you need to drill a couple of holes in concrete to mount something and you don't want to drag out the bigger hammer drill with cord. Also as mentioned the quality of bits will make a huge difference in how the drill performs and for most cement drilling needs this drill works good. An impact driver works great for driving screws.

And I hope your not paying the price on the link you provided for the drill. I bought my whole kit(drill, impact, circ saw, sawzall, grinder, flashlight, charger and batteries) for that price from home depot. And then I picked up another impact for 125 with batteries and charger. 2 new batteries are 119 so I paid 5 bucks so I figured I paid 5 bucks for the impact.

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fr8train

lol, no I'm not gonna pay that price, that was just a quick n dirty lookup. Went to amazon, did a search, and grabbed the URL off of the first hit. I'll price shop.

Also, in relation to the DeWalts, I noticed that they have several models of 18v drill/driver/hammer drill. What is really different between them. The main thing I noticed was some 'older' models have a 2 speed tranny and the newer have 3. But that can't be the only diff.

Does anyone else wish that the big players made a combo drill/driver/impact? Sort of like the hammer drill, have impact as a mode setting. Or am I just being a whiner?

Mike

olyteddy

I have that drill too. Used it just yesterday to drill 4 1/4" holes 3" deep in a concrete floor. Took about 20 minutes with an old bit. As others have said, a good bit helps. I've also used it to set 3/8" red devils. With a brand new bit the holes took a couple minutes each.

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Impact is a wrench, has nothing to do with a hammer.

A tool with a keyed chuck that has hammer is a cam-action hammer drill. interlocking gears doing the hammering. They rotate at high rpms and hammer at a fast but not powerful rate. They work well with 1/4" type holes into block Fast rotation, which heats up your bit. They suck in concrete compared to what I would call a true hammer drill. Which would be an SDS+, SDS MAX, SDS Top, or Spline drive hammer drill. They use electronumatic hammering. A piston inside the tool driven by pocket of air compressing causes your bit to hammer. These tool rotate slower than a cam-action tool but hammer much much harder. Cordless drill/drivers w/ hammer are cam-action type. They do make SDS+ hammer drills that are cordless. Usually 24v or 36v.

wolffhomerepair

Makita use to have one. I don't see it on the website anymore though.

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BigReds

I just bought one yesterday at HD for $270 cad.

Used it yesterday on a job and love it. The hammer drill selection makes a difference when drilling on concrete.

Edit: For driving screws i use my Makita impact drill/driver. Love that one too!

jiffy

Makita still makes an all-in-one drill/hammer drill/impact/driver tool. It is expensive, but it will take the place of all of those tools. It is really made for someone who uses all functions like a punch out work or cabinet installation. Not for heavy duty concrete only use.

Link:
http://www.cpomakita.com/drills/18v_...=frooglebtp140

If I were doing more than 10 holes in concrete I would invest in a small SDS+ rotary hammer. They drill holes 10X faster than any hammer drill and they can take the abuse.

KTK

I use a Makita SDS for the holes and a Dewalt impact for the tapcons.

Mellison

Mine:
Brand F@%kin new and left behind by a
certain Television cable company's installer.

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Railman

Mellison,
You aren't seriously considering keeping the drill are you?
Most installer companies require their installers to supply their own tools. Isn't that drill about a grand? Imagine if that was your son doing the install, & go from there. Do what's right!
Joe

Mellison

Rail,
This Cable company provides their employees with all power and hand tools.
If I thought for that it was the emplyees tool there would be no hesitation.

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WarnerConstInc.

Panasonic makes a dual mode drill/impact driver. I HATE impact drivers, hate them. Too noisey for me.

fr8train

I dislike the noise of the impacts as well, but sometimes it is necessary. I might have to look into the panasonic. I think that combo would be great, especially on jobs that have alot of different screws being driven. Sometimes you just need the impact, but alot of times you don't.

Having the two in one tool so you don't have to carry around both, or have to stick with the impact and hear the noise all day would be awesome.

Mike

Looked up the Panasonic, boy is that thing expensive!!!

WarnerConstInc.

Big boy toys are expensive.

Inner10

I use to feel the same way until I put mine to use heavily now I can't even hear the noise....actually I can't hear all that much except for my tinnitus!

Unless I had a reason for revenge I'd still feel guilty about it (besides the fact I own multiple). Around here you'll never see a cable company with one of thoes, mostly black and decker lol.

CTDiesel

Whoever set the price on that Amazon ad should be shot, that's pure BS to ask nearly 600 bucks after tax just for that drill. I bet they've sold a grand total of 0.

bcradio

you mean you wouldn't pay 600 bucks for that yellow thing?