Hammer Drill vs. Impact Driver: Which One's Right for Your Project?
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When comparing a hammer drill vs an impact driver, it helps to understand how they work so you can better understand what jobs they're intended for. While they both look nearly identical to a standard drill, they serve completely different purposes. Some users may find one more useful than the other, while others may benefit from having both a hammer drill and an impact driver in their toolbox.
Here, we've explained the difference between a hammer drill and an impact driver so you can decide which is right for your project.
What Is a Hammer Drill?
A hammer drill operates similarly to a standard drill but supplements the rotation with a hammering motion directed at the back of the bit. This allows a hammer drill to drill into hard materials like brick, cinderblock, and solid concrete by subtly chipping away at the material as the bit rotates.
A cordless hammer drill with batteries and a case from a reliable brand can be bought for around $200 to $300.
What Is an Impact Driver?
An impact driver is a drill-like tool that adds impact to rotational force depending on the immediate torque requirements of the task at hand, allowing it to drive large fasteners easily.
A cordless impact driver with batteries and a case from a reliable brand can be bought for around $100 to $200.
Tip
When shopping for impact drivers, consider buying a drill or driver set instead to save money. These sets will include a standard drill, an impact driver, a case, at least one battery, and a charger.
Key Differences
Because a hammer drill and impact driver seem similar and even sound similar during operation, they can be easily mistaken for one another. However, the key differences between the two tools make each tool better suited for different jobs. Here are some of the major differences between hammer drills and impact drivers:
Mechanics: While both the impact driver and hammer drill feature a striking motion that enhances the power of the rotational force of the bit, the power is delivered differently. A hammer drill's strike is directed at the back of the chuck, hammering the bit into the surface. An impact driver's striking motion is directed rotationally with the chuck, encouraging the rotation of the chuck during high-torque driving.
Purpose: Impact drivers are intended for driving fasteners, while hammer drills are best for drilling hard materials.
Size: Impact drivers are usually physically smaller than hammer drills.
Bit compatibility: A hammer drill features a standard drill chuck that spins to tighten around a drill bit shank, while an impact driver features a quick-change ball-bearing style chuck that is compatible only with 1/4-inch hex-shank bits.
Pros
Great for driving fasteners
Small size is ideal for working in tight areas and driving fasteners overhead
Easy on wrist, arms, and hand due to torque being applied by the tool
Cons
Not great for drilling
Can chip hard, brittle materials like masonry
Requires impact-ready bits
Pros
Great for drilling hard materials like masonry and tile
Most hammer drills have all the features of a standard drill
Cons
Not great for driving fasteners
More expensive than a standard drill
Larger size makes it hard to work in small areas
Uses
Impact drivers and hammer drills have completely different uses. In fact, some jobs may require to you use a hammer drill to drill a pilot hole, then switch to an impact driver to drive a fastener into the hole.
Tip
Hammer drills and impact drivers are intended for use with specific types of drill bits. Always check for bit compatibility to get the most out of your hammer drill or impact driver.
Impact Driver Uses
An impact driver is intended for driving fasteners that require immense torque, such as large fasteners or fasteners being driven into dense, hard materials. Sure, a drill can drive most fasteners, but an impact driver will nearly always drive them more efficiently while proving more comfortable to operate.
Here are some projects that may call for an impact driver:
Framing a deck with large fasteners
Driving screws into thick, dense wood
Driving large, torque-demanding fasteners like lag bolts
Driving fasteners in tight areas that drills won't fit
Driving fasteners overhead
Driving fasteners without stripping them
Hammer Drill Uses
Hammer drills are intended for boring holes in hard materials. Even when fitted with a masonry bit, a standard drill struggles to drill into hard materials like concrete, brick, cinderblock, and more, because its simple rotation can't chip away at the material.
Here are some projects that may call for a hammer drill:
Drilling pilot holes in a cinderblock wall
Drilling holes in glass or tile
Drilling pilot holes for fastening bottom plates to concrete when framing walls
Drilling holes in concrete to mount tools and machines
Drilling holes for mounting items on brick walls
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a hammer drill be used as an impact driver?
Because the striking motion that combines with the rotational force is different between hammer drills and impact drivers, they can't be used interchangeably. The power deliverance of each tool is intended for specific purposes.
Can I use an impact driver to drill into concrete?
An impact driver shouldn't be used to drill into concrete. Masonry bits are designed to work with the hammering motion of a hammer drill.
An impact driver's hammering motion is rotational, which doesn't work with the design of the masonry bit. Additionally, masonry bits don't have compatible shanks for with impact driver's quick-change chuck.
When not to use an impact driver?
You shouldn't use an impact driver for drilling holes unless the job and the bit require the extra torque of the impact driver.
Additionally, smaller fasteners or fasteners being driven into thin wood may be better suited for a standard drill then a powerful impact driver, which may split the wood.
Read Next: 10 Types of Drills and When to Use Each
Read the original article on The Spruce.
