Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
Main DifferenceThe main difference between Hammer Drills and Impact Drills is that Hammer Drills are used to drill into hard surfaces, whereas Impact Drills are used to fix and remove bolts and screws.
Difference Between Hammer Drills and Impact Drills
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
The tools which drill masonry and hard surfaces like cement, bricks, and marble, etc. are called hammer drills. On the other hand, the tools which aid in loosening or driving the screws that require high torque are called impact drills.
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
Hammer drills work by hammering action in the direction of hole drilling, whereas impact drills work by hammering action in the direction of rotation.
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
The driving force in a hammer drill is an electric or electro-pneumatic force. Conversely, the driving force in an impact drill is an electric motor.
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
Hammer drill resembles with power drills in design, whereas the design of impact drill is designated as stubby with short head length.
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
A hammer drill has a 3-jaw chuck or SDS chuck as a tool holder. On the flip side, the tool holder for an impact drill is ¼ inch hexagonal socket.
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
Hammer drills control their torque and adjust them within suitable ranges. In contrast, there is no torque control for impact drills resulting in extensive torque application on the screws.
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
Hammer drills exert forward pressure, while impact drills exert sideways pressure.
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
A typical hammer drill weighs 4-8 pounds, whereas an impact drill is lighter than a hammer drill.
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
Hammer drills are used in stonework. On the other hand, impact drivers have their best application in woodwork.
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
Hammer drills are more beneficial in drilling holes, whereas impact drills are less beneficial in drilling holes.
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
Hammer drills are less advantageous in dealing with nails and bolts. On the flip side, impact drills are more advantageous in handling nuts, nails, and bolts.
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
A hammer drill uses hammer-like action to drill into hard surfaces, whereas an impact drill uses higher torque opportunity to screw in bolts.
Comparison Chart
| Hammer Drill | Impact Drill |
| The machine which drills masonry and hard surface is called a hammer drill. | The machine which loosens or fix screws, nuts, and bolts is called impact drill. |
| Working Principle | |
| Hammering action in the direction of the hole is drilled | Hammering action in the direction of rotation |
| Driving Force | |
| Electric or electro-pneumatic | Electric motor |
| Pressure | |
| Forwards | Sideways |
| Design | |
| Same as power drills | Stubby with a short head length |
| Tool Holder | |
| 3-jaw chuck or SDS chuck | ¼ inch hexagonal socket |
| Torque | |
| Adjustable torque control | No torque control |
| Weight | |
| 4 to 8 pounds | Lighter than hammer drills |
| Usage | |
| Masonry | Woodwork |
| Drilling Holes | |
| More useful | Less useful |
| Handling Nails and Bolts | |
| Less useful | More useful |
Hammer Drills vs. Impact Drills
Hammer drills are utilized to bore hard-coated surfaces, whereas impact drills are used to loosen or tighten screws. Hammer drills exert force in the direction in which a hole is being drilled. On the flip side, impact drills exert force in the direction of rotation.
The driving force in a hammering drill is electric or electro-pneumatic force. Conversely, the driving force in an impact drill is an electric motor. Hammer drills resemble power drills, which are also called drivers. On the other hand, impact drills are stubby with short head length.
Hammer drills have 3-jaw chuck or SDS chuck as tool holders. In contrast, the tool holder for an impact drill is ¼ inch hexagonal socket. Hammer drills have an adjustable torque control, which can be managed as required. On the flip side, impact drills have no torque control.
A hammer drill exerts pressure in the forward direction, whereas an impact drill exerts pressure in sideways. An average hammer drill weighs about 4 to 8 pounds. On the other hand, an impact drill weighs lighter in comparison with the hammer drill. Hammer drills have their usage in masonry work, whereas impact drills have woodwork usage in most cases.
Hammer drills are more expedient in piercing holes. Conversely, impact drills are less useful in drilling holes. Hammer drills are less useful in handling nails and bolts. On the flip side, impact drills are more useful in handling nails and bolts.
What is Hammer Drill?
Hammer drills have their definite part in annihilating holes in concrete, brick, marble, granite, and other similar brickwork materials. There are predominantly two types of hammer drills categorized as a regular hammer drill and a powerful rotatory hammer drill.
Hammer drill is used to drill holes into sturdy materials like concrete. Hard surfaces like brick, concrete, and masonry work are resolved by hammer drills. The purpose of hammer drills is to set anchors and create holes for outlet boxes. Hammer drill is lightweight and more compact as compared to a rotatory hammer.
Hammer drill is the best choice for drilling holes up to ½ or more. A typical hammer drill is more useful in drilling holes but less useful in handling nails and dealing with bolts. In hammer drills, more pressure is exerted. The loudness of a hammer drill is also more than an impact drill.
Hammer drills work by vibrating in a forward and backward direction. Its motion is periodic or back and forth motion. A hammer drill possesses an adjustable clutch, which controls the force and allows proper spinning of drill along the axis of rotation.
Hammer drills do not find their usage in woodworks, which prefer to use regular drills. Hammer drills have a cam-action, which can also be referred to as the hammering mechanism. In this process, the chuck moves back and forth on the axis of rotation, giving periodic motion. Hammer drills work by an electric or electro-pneumatic force and are powered adequately by cordless technology these days.
What is Impact Drill?
An impact drill exerts pressure or torque in perpendicular direction. Impact drills operate by the same motion, which is required for screwing or unscrewing the fasteners. Installation of a screw requires both torque and forward force. On the other hand, no longitudinal or forward force is required.
Impact drills are also acknowledged as impact drivers that are used for fixing and eliminating screws and bolts in wide-ranging constructions and DIY schemes. Impact drills create a lot of rotational force that enables the driving of the most substantial wood screws effectively. They produce more torque as compared to regular drills.
An impact drill, when struck on the back by a hammer, delivers a sharp, sudden, rotational force. The striking blow from a hammer reduces the hammering mechanism by forcing the impact drill in a forward direction. Impact drills are less useful for slot head screws and most effective for Philips screws because they show cam out phenomenon.
Impact drills are shorter and lighter than hammer drills. There are two categories of impact drills. The first category is a manual impact drill, which practices a heavyweight exterior sleeve around the inner core. When a hammer forays the outer sleeve, torque is delivered on the screw.
The second category is a motorized impact drill, which is used for the replacement of screwdrivers for greater speed. They are also used for manufacturing or construction purposes, where a large number of screws may need to be used.
ConclusionA hammer drill is more useful in drilling holes in hard surfaces like cement or bricks. In contrast, an impact drill is more advantageous in handling nails and bolts.
