A hammer drill is a powerful tool to make holes into hard surfaces or materials like concrete. It has a rotary motor with quick hammering actions through which tasks can be completed more quickly.
With a hammer drill, you can drill holes precisely and accurately. Also, you have to put in less effort than the regular drill.
1. Common Applications of Hammer Drills in Concrete
You might need to drill into concrete for many different purposes. Some of the common applications are explained below:
Installing Anchors and Fasteners
There is a need to install anchors when you want to fix shelves and cabinets on the wall. To do this, you have to drill holes in the concrete walls or floors. Anchors are also used to secure non-structural components such as pipes or wires. In all these tasks, hammer drills help you drill holes into concrete with less effort.
Hanging Shelves and Fixtures
Hammer drills have a rotary motion with hammering actions. This function helps you when you need to hang heavy shelves or fixtures and drill holes into concrete. Please be careful while choosing the anchors because different types of concrete anchors, such as Tapcon screws and metal sleeves, can be used with hammer drills. So, by choosing the right anchor, you can achieve better results.
Creating Holes for Pipes and Wires
Neat and accurate holes are important for the proper installation of running pipes and wires. But, it needs to be done carefully without damaging the surrounding materials. Sometimes, you may need to drill holes at different angles to install pipes and wires. In this case, the hammer drill did its job perfectly.
Outdoor Projects
There are multiple outdoor tasks in which hammer drills play their best role. For example, if you need to install fence posts or deck supports into concrete footings, hammer drills make perfect and deep holes secure them more tightly. It reduces the time and effort needed to do the outdoor projects.
According to research,
With the rise of other markets, such as the pre-fabricated market, which is expected to reach USD 170 billion by 2025, the growth of cordless hammer drills will also increase, as it is associated with many other fields.
2. Preparing to Use Hammer Drills on Concrete
Assessing Drilling Needs
Sometimes, you may need to drill holes at different angles to install pipes and wires. The first step is to know the size of the holes you want to make. For different purposes, different hole sizes may be required. For instance, if you plan to install pipes, then the hole size will be different than the hole required for anchors or screws.
In other scenarios, some hous, some houses have reinforcement bars on their walls. These bars can disturb your drilling process. To avoid disturbance, you can use some tools such as rebar locators and ground-penetrating radar for detection. If you detect any kind of this issue, then change the location of your drill.
Choosing the Right Hammer Drill and Drill Bit
You need to choose the right hammer drill when you drill into concrete. The right tool will make your drilling process easier and quicker. You should use a cordless hammer drill because sometimes you don't find an electrical supply while working outside. Moreover, hammer drills with lithium-ion batteries provide longer usage time, allowing you to complete your tasks more easily.
The adjustable setting allows you to control speed and functions according to the tasks. Finding all these features in one tool can be hard. One of the popular drills for drilling into concrete is our ONEVAN hammer drill. It is an ideal choice for both home users and professionals due to its unique features.
Gathering Auxiliary Tools
You need to gather all necessary auxiliary tools before you start drilling into concrete with a hammer drill. The auxiliary tools include measuring tapes and chalks. With the help of measuring tapes, you can mark distances and the right locations for drilling. Similarly, pencils or chalks are needed to mark the spots where holes need to be drilled.
After you complete the work, it is important to clean the area; for this, you need the necessary auxiliary tools like vacuum and brushes. A brush or vacuum can help clean the drilled holes before inserting anchors or fasteners.
Safety Equipment
Your safety should be your priority. So, always use the right safety equipment to protect yourself from hazards. The most important thing is safety glasses. There is usually much dust and small fragments in the air when you drill into concrete. So, safety glasses will prevent dust, debris, and flying particles from entering your eyes.
A face mask is another important item you should wear while doing the task. Some people usually have an allergy to dust and fine particles released during drilling. So, if you wear a mask, there is a lower risk of developing respiratory issues. There are some other pieces of equipment like ear protection and gloves. They will also protect you from the risk of injury.
3. Step-by-Step Guide for Using a Hammer Drill on Concrete
Using a hammer drill accurately is very important. Here is a step-by-step guide through which you can easily drill into concrete.
1.Marking the Drilling Location
The first step you need to do is mark the location on which you want to drill. It is an important step for getting the right results. So, basically, you need to start by finding the exact location. For this, you can use the measuring tape to measure and mark the exact place. You can use chalk or pencil, which should easily be cleaned later.
2.Pre-drilling (Optional
Pre-drilling is an optional step, but it is very helpful for perfect drilling. So, basically, you need to make a small hole before making the final hole size. This is helpful because sometimes your drill may slip from your hands due to various factors. Hence, you end up making the hole in the wrong place.
Pre-drilling also gives you multiple benefits. Through pre-drilling, you can reduce the stress on your larger drill bit. If a small hole has been drilled before, you require less force to drill through the concrete. Also, through pre-drilling, your tool will not be overheated because less force is applied when drilling large holes.
3.Setting Up the Hammer Drill
Now it's your turn to set your hammer drill. Make sure that you have the right drill bit according to your task. Masonry bits are more helpful, especially when you are planning to drill into concrete. Also, the drill bit should be compatible with the type of chuck on your hammer drill. Now, adjust the settings on your hammer drill. Most hammers have different modes, such as hammer mode and a standard drill mode. But as you drill into concrete, you may need to use both modes simultaneously.
If you use a cordless hammer drill, you do not need to worry about the power connection. But if you use a corded hammer drill, find the nearest power supply. Also, you have to wear the safety gear equipment for your safety.
4.Starting the Drilling Process
Finally, it's the moment you can start drilling, having set up all the necessary measurements. But as you drill into concrete, it needs special attention and care. Position the drill at the marked location and apply gentle pressure to make a hole. This hole should not be too long. Only a few millimeters will be fine. Now, it will give you a guide on how to make larger bits.
Once you have created the small hole, it's time to increase the power of your hammer drill. You can switch on the hammer function at this time to make a large hole. This time, do not force the drill; just a constant pressure will be enough. You can also increase the speed at this time while having the proper control of the drill.
5.Monitoring Progress
Monitoring is very important for successful operation. You should always check that everything works all right during the process of drilling into concrete. Make sure that the drilling speed and pressure are right. Also, clean the dust and debris that usually gather in the hole. Don't ignore any unusual sounds and vibrations.
If there are more vibrations, the drill might not be aligned properly. Moreover, there are tools available in the market to monitor the whole process easily. These digital drilling process monitors (DPM) track many parameters, such as speed, torque, and penetration rate. Investing in such tools will ease your work if you are a professional.
6.Completing the Drilling
The hole has been drilled, and it’s time to pull out the drill. You should pull the drill out very slowly from the hole. Hence, there is less chance that the surroundings will not be damaged. Clean the hole after you complete the drilling. For this purpose, you can use a vacuum cleaner or compressed air.
4. Tips for Drilling Through Concrete with Hammer Drill
You may find it difficult to drill into concrete, but you can do it quickly with some tricks. Here are some tips which will help you while drilling into concrete.
1. Make sure that you have adjusted the settings of your hammer drill according to the requirements of the task. Most hammer drills have multiple settings, so adjust them according to you.
2. You should hold the hammer drill at the right angle while doing the drill into concrete.
3. You have to apply consistent pressure on the drill. Too much force will lead to overheating and damage. And similarly, little pressure may cause the bit to slip.
4. Keep an eye on the depth of drilling. Many hammer drills have depth stops, so you may not drill into concrete too deep without knowing.
5. Concrete surfaces have reinforcement bars (rebar), which can create difficulty while drilling. So, if you hit any rebar while drilling, stop the process immediately.
6. Carefully remove the drill from the hole and clean the surface.
5. Common Issues and Solutions For Concrete Drilling
1.Drill Bit Overheating
When there is some hard task, or you are drilling into concrete for a long time, then the hammer drill may overheat. It will reduce its long life and minimize its efficiency. To prevent this, first make small holes and then drill the final large holes. You can also use cooling methods such as water or other cooling fluids.
2.Bit Wandering or Skipping
When you don't hold the drill correctly, the drill may slip off the marked location. So, make sure that you are holding the drill at a right angle.
3.Difficulty in Breaking Through Reinforcement Bars (Rebar)
It is quite difficult to deal with the reinforcement bars when you drill into concrete. So, you can use the rebar locators to find reinforcement bars. However, you can also change the drilling location if you face this kind of issue.
4. Excessive Dust Production
Much dust is generated when you drill into concrete. Some people are allergic to it, which can cause many respiratory diseases. Hence, the use of a vacuum attachment or dust collection system will help you.
5.Cracking Around the Hole
Sometimes, cracks appear around the hole when you are done drilling. To prevent this, do not apply much pressure and use a steady and consistent technique.
6.Incomplete Holes or Breakouts
Sometimes, you drill incomplete holes because the drill does not penetrate fully through the material. You should use a drill bit that is long enough to penetrate the concrete effectively.
7. Drill Bit Jamming
If too much debris gathers in the hole, your drill bit could become stuck. To avoid this, take out the drill machine after every fifteen seconds. By doing this, the dust and debris will be cleared out during the drilling process.
8. Uneven Hole Sizes or Shapes
If you are drilling using the wrong techniques, then uneven holes can be made. Hence, you should use high-quality masonry bits designed for concrete and maintain steady pressure throughout the drilling process.
6. Conclusion
Drilling into concrete is straightforward if you use the right hammer drill. Some hammer drills do not feature the right functions, which makes the drilling process even more complicated. Our ONEVAN cordless hammer drill has all the primary functions you need. It has different adjustable settings through which you can drill into concrete according to the task. By using this hammer drill, you can easily drill into concrete with multiple options.
7. FAQs
Can you drill into stucco with a regular drill bit?
Yes, you can drill through stucco with the regular drill bit. However, a hammer drill is more useful for this purpose. With the standard drill bit, you need to put more effort into it, while the hammer drill does all this with relatively less effort.
How do you collect dust when you drill in a wall?
You can use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. So, you can collect the dust with this vacuum without making further mess.
Do you need to drill into concrete for a mop sink?
Yes, if you want to install a mop sink, then you have to drill into concrete. You also need the drainage connection, which hammer drills help you out.
How do you drill into concrete with a regular drill?
It is quite difficult to drill into concrete with a regular drill. For this, you need those masonry bits which are designed for hard surfaces. Mark the drill location and apply slow pressure at a low speed. It will take some time, and you require more effort.
