Having similar options when choosing power tools can be confusing and daunting. The same is the case with electric hammer drill, electric hammer, and electric drill. Each tool serves a specific purpose, making it essential to choose the right one for your particular tasks.
Knowing the differences between the tools when working on DIY projects or professional tasks can be beneficial in choosing the most efficient one. The right tool gives you the best outcome and avoids the headache of buying additional tools.
In this blog post, we're going to talk about the differences, advantages, and uses of electric hammers, electric drills, and electric hammer drills. By the end of this post, you'll know exactly which tool you choose for a particular use case. So, let's get started.

1. What is an Electric Hammer Drill?

An electric hammer drill is a powerful tool for drilling hard materials like stone and masonry. It has a special hammering motion: a rotating drill with powerful blows. The frequent blows, although not as strong as those from a demolition hammer, are designed to penetrate hard materials effectively. Hammer drill bits are designed so as to survive repeated banging and thudding during hammering action. So, this characteristic feature of a bit allows the drill to carry out industrial-grade jobs.

Key Features:

1. Double action mechanism
2. Production of rapid blows of up to 48000 BPM.
3. Production of torque and hammering at the same time
4. Many models allow for variable speed settings to accommodate different materials.
5. Handle coated with anti-slip material.
6. The standard speed is 50 revolutions per minute(rpm). But it can vary across models to up to 3000rpm.
7. An overload clutch is included to protect the drill from damage by disengaging the motor if excessive torque is encountered.
8. Drill bits often feature a helical design that improves cutting efficiency and helps in clearing debris while drilling.

Corded vs. Cordless Electric Hammer Drills

Electric hammer drills can be corded or cordless. Let's see how both of these differ.

Corded Electric Hammer Drill:

1. They have constant power as long as they're plugged in.
2. They are best for heavy-duty tasks.
3. They provide higher drilling force as well as higher torque. This makes them best for drilling in concrete.

Cordless Electric Hammer Drill

1. They can be easily carried anywhere because of the absence of wires or cords. They don't need a power outlet, either.
2. Their ergonomic designs reduce strain on the user's hand and wrist, making them more comfortable to use during extended periods.
3. They are convenient to use anywhere.
4. They do need battery replacements.

If you want to benefit from extended battery life—typically lasting several hours on a single charge—while avoiding the hassle of a cord, ONEVAN hammer cordless drillsare a great solution. They are powered by reliable lithium batteries. They also have rubber-sealed circuit boards for dust and water resistance. Comfortable gripping and powerful drilling allows you to enjoy a prime drilling experience.
Head over to the ONEVAN website to explore their range of hammer drills. The following variants are available for you to buy.

1. ONEVAN 26mm 1680W Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill
2. ONEVAN 650N.m 13mm Brushless Cordless Drills 20+3 Torque
3. ONEVAN 450N.m Brushless Cordless Drill 25+3 Torque
4. ONEVAN 26mm 2000@ Brushless Cordless Electric Hammer Drill
5. ONEVAN 1000W Cordless Multifunctional hammer Impact Drill
6. ONEVAN 20V Brushless Cordless Electric Auto Hammer

Applications of Electric Hammer Drills:

1. Chiseling tiles.
2. Drilling holes in the concrete.
3. Breaking up asphalt and rock.
4. Installing the shelves.

Advantages of Electric Hammer Drills:

They have a number of benefits that make them suitable for heavy-duty tasks such as drilling holes through very hard material.

1. They can easily drill holes in hard material because of higher torque and impact force.
2. They are used for different purposes like drilling, chiseling, demolishing, etc.
3. These drills are durable and last long.
4. Less maintenance is needed as they use high-quality motors and gears.

This is the reason that when you're choosing equipment for construction or a home project, the electric hammer drill is the best choice.

 

2. What is an Electric Hammer?

It is the tool used for heavy-duty tasks like demolition. It makes breaking of hard materials like concrete and masonry easier. The rotational force and hammering force are the two main features of electric hammers.

Types of Electric Hammers

Rotary Hammers:
These are used for chiseling as well as drilling. They are used when little demolition, along with drilling holes, is required.

Demolition Hammers:
These are the kind of electric hammers used for destroying walls or concrete structures. They are helpful in construction work, which includes breaking large pieces of heavy material.

Key Features:

1. Striking force around 1000-3000 strokes per minute.
2. They consume more energy, especially for drilling tougher materials.
3. High power-to-weight ratio.
4. The chuck sizes of electric hammers can vary by model, typically ranging from 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) to larger sizes, up to 1.5 inches (38 mm) for demolition hammers. Demolition hammers usually have larger chuck sizes, ranging from 1 inch (25.4 mm) to 1.5 inches (38 mm).
5. Slotting ability: SDS (Slotted Drive System) allows the shank of the drill to fit into the chuck. It makes working easy and quick. Heavy hammering action, as well as the SDS, makes the heavy-duty work uninterrupted.
6. Reversible rotation of the drill in both directions.

Corded vs. Cordless Electric Hammers

Electric hammers can also be corded and cordless.

Corded Electric Hammer:
They are suitable for heavy-duty tasks in which continuous power is required. Also, you don't have to worry about battery running out.

Cordless Electric Hammer:
They are used in remote locations where direct power supply is not available. Extra batteries need to be carried with them. They are expensive types of electric hammers.

Applications of Electric Hammers:

The following are the typical cases where we use electric hammers.

1. Drilling larger holes in masonry for sanitary or electricity works.
2. Demolishing and chiseling of tiles and concrete.
3. Drilling holes in metallic surfaces for attachment purposes.
4. General hammering purposes and mixing materials.

Advantages of Electric Hammers:

1. Workers have to put less effort into manual breaking methods.
2. The combination of rotary and hammering functions reduces the time needed to break tough substances.
3. They can be used for both simple household work and heavy construction work.

Electric hammers are widely used in renovation and construction tasks due to their ability to break through tough materials efficiently. They can replace simple drills if equipped with the right drill bits. Standard drills are essential in every toolkit. Most electric drills feature a motor and interchangeable drill bits, allowing them to perform various tasks such as drilling holes and driving screws.

3. What is an Electric Drill?

A rotating motor powers an electric drill. This tool can help you drill holes through objects such as wood, plastic, or any hard surface and is a very commonly used device in both homes and construction sites.
Common types of drill bits used with electric drills include hole saw bits for cutting larger holes, spearpoint bits for wood, masonry bits for concrete, and step bits for creating holes of various diameters in thin materials. It is essential to select the appropriate bit shape, type, and size based on the specific material you are drilling, as different materials require specialized bits for optimal performance.

Corded vs. Cordless Electric Drills

Just like the other two tools we discussed, electric drills can also be either corded or cordless.

Corded Electric Drills:

1. They rely on continuous power sources.
2. They have functional advantages like trigger switches, which rotate the chuck.
3. Easy to carry around. No extra batteries are needed.
4. Preferable tool for big or small tasks.

Cordless Electric Drills:

1. They run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which offer a good balance of power and longevity.
2. Used for drilling holes as well as driving screws.
3. Best choice for outdoor projects or in remote areas.
4. Highly portable.
5. Hassle-free use in tight spaces because of the absence of cords.

Applications of Electric Drills

1. Drilling holes in metals, walls, wood, and plastic for different purposes.
2. Screwdriving
3. Blending different materials

Advantages of Electric Drills

1. They save time, as manual drilling and screw-driving take time.
2. Minimum effort
3. Very simple to use (user-friendly design)
4. One-time logical investment for a number of tasks

4. Choosing the Right Tool: Electric Hammer Drill vs. Electric Hammer vs. Electric Drill

Feature	Electric Hammer Drill	Electric Hammer	Electric Drill
Power Source	Corded or Cordless	Corded or Cordless	Corded or Cordless
Primary use	Drilling in tough materials	Chiseling and demolishing	Drilling and driving screws into different materials
Function modes	Rotatory and hammering	Hammering with impact	Rotary with a little impact
Suitable materials	Concrete, masonry, stone	Concrete, stone, brick, masonry	Wood, plastic, metal
Power range	600W-2000W	800W-2000W	300W-1000W
Speed control	Variable settings	Variable settings but mostly fixed	Variable settings
Impact energy	High(Ranges typically from 1.5 to 5.0 Joules)	Very High(1.5 Joules to over 10 Joules)	Low(Typically less than 1 Joule)
Common chuck size	SDS Plus or SDS max (10-18mm)	SDS Max (18mm or larger)	Keyed or keyless (7mm, 10 mm, or 13mm)
Weight and portability	Fair to heavy; not as portable as simple electric drills	Heavy; can’t be carried everywhere	Lightweight; can be carried mostly anywhere,
Noise level	High	Very high	Moderate
Additional features	Faster bit changes, vibration management, dust extraction	Vibration management (Anti-vibration features)	Keyless chuck, attachment options
Price range	$100 - $450	$150 - $600	$40 - $350
Maintenance requirements	Lubrication, cleaning, and maintenance of parts needed regularly	Lubrication, cleaning, and maintenance of parts needed regularly	Low maintenance
Typical user	DIYers, construction staff	Demolition and construction staff and professionals	DIYers, homeowners

5. Conclusion

Choosing between different tools can be daunting. Different features of electric hammer drills, electric hammers and electric drills help you decide on the appropriate tool faster. Understanding the differences between drill types and their components, particularly the shapes and sizes of drill bits and chucks, is crucial in selecting the most effective tool for your specific tasks.

An electric hammer drill offers rotary motion with a hammering action. That is why it is suitable for both DIYers and experts. Electric hammers come with larger chunks and bits. They are typically used for heavy-duty works like demolition and chiseling hard substances. A general-use electric drill is a portable tool for homeowners and DIYers to perform drilling and screwing tasks at home.

Selecting the right tool for your specific task is crucial for maximizing efficiency and achieving successful results. Identify what material you are working with and what task you have to carry out. The right tool can significantly affect the efficiency, safety, and great outcomes for your work.

6. FAQs

Can an electric hammer drill be used as a regular drill?
Yes, you can use an electric hammer drill as a regular drill. For this purpose, you have to turn off the hammering action.

Can a regular electric drill be used to drill into concrete?
You can, but it's not recommended to use a regular electric drill for concrete, as it lacks the necessary hammering action and torque to penetrate hard materials effectively. It would help if you used a hammer or rotary drill for this purpose.

What are the different types of electric hammers?
The two main types are rotary hammers and demolition hammers. Both of them can be either cordless or corded.

Can I use an electric hammer drill to chisel concrete?
Yes, you can use an electric hammer drill to chisel concrete. You have to use the correct chisel bit.

What is the lifespan of a typical drill battery?
The average lifespan of a drill battery is around 3-5 years. This depends upon the type of battery, frequency of use, and how well you maintain it.