Hammer drill vs. rotary hammer

[@davidsmithey8914]

Eleven years later (5.26.2023) and this video is still the most helpful one I have found on the subject!!! Thanks for posting it.

[@josephastier7421]

I finally ordered a pair of those shorts and gave them a try. My hammer drill worked about the same, but I was able to finish the job in a fraction of the time because my neighbors kept stopping by and offering to help. Nice guys!

[@renubisht8072]

Fghsdjiig

[@brandyprice7578]

Omg lol. I read this 3 times before the video actually started and I did not understand until watching the video 🤣

[@windymeadowsoxteam7783]

Need the sneaks too to really kick it up a notch

[@jonphanspromotions]

Where can I get those shorts? Nice video man.

[@alla6747]

@@brandyprice7578 KO l la

[@GuyFromJupiter]

A rotary hammer is basically a small jack hammer combined with a drill. The hammering is completely independent from the rotation, and it is quite powerful. A hammer drill is a drill with cams around the chuck to make it bounce and "hammer" the surface you are drilling when it rotates. The impacts are much less energetic than those from a rotary hammer.

[@michealfemino5079]

One of the more straightforward and concise tool demos I've seen anywhere. Told me what I needed to know, thanx much!

[@dzeledonzeledon5843]

11 years later and you probably got best straight forward explanation I watched online. Cheers

[@imnotjacob.]

Found this video while looking for a hammer drill. Finished the video, and ordered a Rotary Hammer Drill instead 😄I didn't even know this tool existed until about 5 minutes ago. Thanks mate! saved me buying the wrong thing.

[@jessihawkins9116]

didn’t know 😆

[@MsSomeonenew]

For future reference to everyone on what the difference is. Impact drilling does not cut material as regular drilling does, all the front end of an impact drill does is bash into the material to dislodge a piece which then gets cleared out by the spiral. So the absolutely primary part of this process is impact force. Which is where a mere drill has problems as they only put a small toothed disk in there that generates small vibrations, where as the rotary drill has a huge chunk of metal getting smashed along the shaft. The drill might do something with soft/small particle masonry, but the moment you reach a harder piece it hasn't got the impact force to hammer out material.

[@muddyriverdogz]

2 different tools for 2 different purposes. If you want a 1/2 chuck with hammer capabilities but are not drilling through rock often a hammer drill is the way to go. If all you are doing is drilling rock then a rotary is what you want.

[@jimfoster7986]

I’m drilling into an inch thick blue stone capstone so I can run a wire to a lamp. Which is best for this job? The hammer or the rotary?

[@cisco1007]

Rotary always especially through brick. Some are harder than rock no kidding!

[@zookini33]

I was looking to buy a hammer drill but I am now convinced that a rotary hammer would be a better choice for me. Your demonstration made this very clear. Thank you!

[@muddyriverdogz]

Depends on what you are doing with it.

[@davidswanson5669]

7 years later and now I’m being informed enough to realize I need the rotary hammer. Glad I didn’t open the box of the new hammer drill I just got.

[@budzcee]

This video was simple, yet very useful. I'm doing some training for work, and I'm reading up on different hammer drills and rotary hammers. Seeing you use the two tools gave me a lot of insight, and will be able to help customers more now that I've seen a demonstration. Thanks a lot.

[@GrantHackethorn]

This might be the best commercial for a rotary hammer I've seen.

[@zarrow50]

But that is what rotary hammers are for, drilling into concrete.

[@theone4412]

Clive Ellis Pretty much to to extend productivity

[@ximmeh1987]

Lol

[@beedebawng2556]

Very very very useful video. I wish more content uploaders had more respect for their audience as you clearly do. No self-indulgent waffling. Just useful information. Thank you very much.

[@josephaguirre6123]

The shorts are lit

[@hackiehackerson]

Lmao

[@cal8338]

Pair that with romper and were set

[@johnnydept4082]

Lmmfao

[@nicholasmcvay]

Great Job on the demonstration

[@mitch_smith]

Bud you just saved me about 150 bucks and some serious headaches. I appreciate you.

[@gpcm9226]

Side by side reviews are the best. Good work

[@simpleman283]

You can also get chisel bits for rotary hammer for removing tile.

[@Puck90a]

I once tried drilling a one inch hole in a dense concrete slab with my Dewalt hammer drill, and it took me over an hour if I recall. It took me forever to get about 1-2" deep. I finally gave up and went down to a 3/8" bit and FINALLY got through, and going back to the 1" bit took me another good while (seems like a bad idea, because doing that would eliminate the pointed tip of the bit from having it's penetrating action). I can't believe the drill didn't catch on fire before I was done (I quit about every 30-60 seconds to try to let it cool off, which made the job take much longer). It still works, but I use it for smaller jobs. And yeah - that one inch bit was PURPLE when I was done. Wish I had seen t his video before I bought that hammer drill... Live and learn.

[@wintermachine]

drill a 1/4" pilot hole first. Then drill your !' hole. You may find it will cut your time down to 10-15minutes.

[@ZezimaTruth]

Folks who come up with designs for these tools & engineers who find ways to build them to make our lives so much easier are awesome.

[@kristianrmitev]

I was asking myself the same question and researching online came across your comparison. Thank you for adding to the collective knowledge of the internet. Extremely eye opening, seeing the difference.

[@Tbvck]

That was a very good comparison of the 2 drills. Thanks

[@nalramroop4641]

The hammer drill is a multipurpose tool for smaller jobs. The comparison is null

[@ElmoIsBold]

@bahathir Thanks much for your video response. My one regret regarding my video is that I was unable to hit the aggregate that plagued me while working on the actual basement walls. When I DID hit a piece of granite river rock in the foundation wall my progress was often literally stopped until I hammered and punched it with a long slender cold chisel. My video makes the two devices look nearly equal, when in reality the hammer drill is a door stop unless drilling cinder block. Excellent demo!

[@TheEffectofMaverick]

Hammer Drill : light weight, compact, easy to transport to different jobs and use around the job site. Versatile - can be used for small - medium size holes (can bore large holes if you progress from smaller to medium to larger) through many different material surfaces with minimal risk to damage of home or property. Sds rotary drill : heavy, more durable, more powerful and robust - specializes in masonry/concrete drilling, good for boring large holes, over and over again. Usually used in construction work/heavy duty drilling where you need to drill multiple holes. Not versatile as far as doing more delicate or intricate, smaller holes on more fragile material.

[@nalramroop4641]

Yea its multi purpose.

[@JillofAllTrades2]

Exactly what I needed to know--I'm going out first thing in the morning to add to my tools. The hammer drill took WAY TOO long to drill through some concrete tonight.

[@sarahrosen9272]

Hammer drill: A drill that has a small impact mechanism. Useful for drilling small holes in brick, cinder block and other softer materials. Rotary hammer: A demolition hammer with a rotating bit. Useful for drilling up to 2 inch holes in hard materials including concrete, granite e.t.c.

[@markwon8945]

Thank you for this tidbit of info. It really helps to understand which situation is best for either tool.

[@jules2957]

Thanks

[@svenschindler2336]

Not every rotary hammer is meant for demolition. The smallest ones have 1.7 Joule of energy, a proper demolition hammer has 7.5 Joule and up.

[@Beyllion]

I desperately was trying to drill a 3" hole in a concrete wall with a Bosch hammer drill until I gave up and went to buy a basic Lidl rotary hammer. Best décision ever.

[@AuthenTech]

Wow, wish I saw this yesterday before drilling those holes in my brick - my hammer drill took FOREVER on just a few holes. Thanks for sharing!

[@itsSoaren]

Did you have your bit all the way against the back of the chuck? If not the hammer won't tap the bit

[@merlinmage6012]

You used hammer bit? Designed for hammering cant use regular bits meant for drilling wood and metals.

[@jrsforest187]

I just bought a hammer drill, now I can see I really needed a rotary hammer.

[@davidcosine]

Same experience. I bought a large corded Ryobi hammer drill and it sucked. Borrowed my electrician friends compact cordless rotary hammer and it drilled holes in concrete all day. The other couldn't do one

[@arashheirani7003]

Very good and informative demonstration. Thank you.

[@Bigchuck678]

Great video, but those 80's Larry Bird / John Stockton booty shorts are killing me!! Lol

[@f.demascio1857]

really tho...

[@jasonshoup4213]

hey man! it was 2011 when he did this; fashion was a whole different world back then :)

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

in 2011 i was 37 and was NOT wearing short shorts .. EVER ...

[@daviddabossbailey]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@feorh1919]

he got a nice pair of legs - why bother?

[@djocho1]

Great legs man!! And the video was super helpful too!! Thanks!

[@andyprairiedog]

I finally calmed down after reading some "Larry Bird shorts" comments and the youtuber responding with saying his wife said he should be embarrassed for uploading this video. Some funny stuff and humor the up loader has.... With that aside, thank you very much for the comparison between the 2 types of concrete hole makers. I believe the rotary hammer is the way to go for my intended applications. Even in 2019, "vs" videos barely came out about 1 year ago. Thanks a bundle, sir.

[@Arfonfree]

I would emphasize how clean the holes are. It makes a big difference in how secure the anchors are. Also SDS drills are available in much longer lengths which can be a big help for your back when drilling the floor.

[@rockyslack799]

2:12 "One of the best holes I've drilled!!"...slogan of the decade.

[@dzigizord6567]

brother was surprised how good of a hole he drilled so he wanted to drill a worse one next

[@donkmeister]

Great comparison! I bought a Hitachi SDS 8 years ago as a treat to myself, and it's still going strong (metal gearbox, not the cheapo one). Over the years I have lent it to various friends and family, and every single one of them ends up buying their own SDS shortly after. I honestly can't understand why there are still regular hammer drills available.

[@jessihawkins9116]

i bought a hart 20v hammer drill

[@Mentorcase]

Rotary hammers like magic, when I got mine I tried the 25mm bit in concrete and it it just fell through it, I had to drill a few more holes to make sure it wasn't a bad bit of concrete but nope it is fearless with concrete also it will go through reo bar just have to take it easy so it doesn't deflect but it still chews through anyway. We tried drilling hundreds of holes through the edge of some concrete to fit reo bar for a joint with a makita hammer drill and after 2 holes decided

[@dougankrum3328]

Nice video, I've used both of these tools and for drilling concrete, the "more hammer....less drilling" is the only way to go. As a millwright....there were days I installed 2-3 THOUsand concrete anchors...big warehouses with many Pallet Racks...Here in Calif...all Pallet racks must be anchored for seismic requirements...(earthquakes)....the high-speed 'drills' are also good at melting the silver solder and losing the tungsten-carbide tips....

[@windymeadowsoxteam7783]

You were probably working a 10 hour day. A bolt installed every 12 seconds is still smoking, no wonder you were melting bits. Did you switch drills off or just run em till they smoked?

[@dougankrum3328]

@@windymeadowsoxteam7783 OK, I guess I should have checked my reply better....a hundred to 200 a day. one to two boxes of 100 anchors...3/8" and I drilled them to maybe 2-2 1/2". Big BOSCH SDS roto-hammer.

[@timm439]

Counted the time for each: 30 seconds for hammer drill 12 seconds for rotary hammer

[@edinfific2576]

What you didn't count was the amount of force needed to push the hammer drill vs. the significantly smaller force needed for the rotary hammer drill.

[@phychmasher]

@@edinfific2576 I'm about to hop in my time machine and let this fool know he should be measuring the FORCE as well!

[@jessihawkins9116]

@@edinfific2576 yeah he didn’t count that

[@oaktuber]

Great informative video. I need to drill some holes in concrete so I can secure a post to an existing slab of 6" thick concrete. Very helpful, good video quality and narration

[@Munene-1]

You're the best coach and you're experience is real

[@SiliconPrairie]

This is my uncle. He's like this in real life too.

[@InmortalMe]

This is exactly what I needed, just bought a house made of mostly concrete!

[@ankhesenamun4707]

As a leg fan and a leg lover, I would say that these are the prettiest legs I have ever seen.

[@handyman7297]

Are you male or female ?

[@AK-47ISTHEWAY]

@@handyman7297 Hermaphrodite

[@kellyandcorygingras7147]

Great video! I've spent many wasted hours with a hammer drill and concrete. Sprained my neck last time, too! Ordered a rotary hammer last night. Regular $1050 on clearance sale to $380. Cant wait to get it and save my back, neck, elbow, shoulder....

[@20danieldennis]

Wow that just settled my decision. I was looking at CPO Outlet's Malwaukee Heavy Duty hammer drill vs the 7A Rotary hammer for a bit more and was wondering how they match up when drilling concrete. Thanks a billion for the video!!!

[@imaslowlerner]

we had a company out installing a new heat and air unit, a few weeks later I couldn't find my Hilti. Couldn't say for sure that my drill left with them. I miss my old Hilti, it gets the job done. 😂

[@shadowguidr7042]

imaslowlerner Slam a review up. They don't just go walkies.

[@carlbeauregard5862]

If you clear the dust out occasionally as you drill, it won't bind and spin on you, and you won't have to pull so hard to get the bit out of the hole.

[@mikespencer2972]

Happy 17th anniversary on uploading this video. Over a million views! Cheers! (good video, rotary hammers are no joke)

[@Jacobe]

Thanks for sharing. That rotary hammer drill is a beauty.

[@fungi8pho]

Adjust the front handle to 90 degree to the trigger handle for a better hold... the way you have it is for transportation or storage.

[@mattdouglas8900]

This is my submachine hammer gun

[@macplastering]

nice demo man a clear winner on this test was the milwaukee

[@geoffhess2267]

Excellent video. Bought a Craftsman 1/2 in. corded drill/hammer drill thinking that I could drill into my basement and garage concrete walls. Exactly as you showed, once into aggregate, it's not going anywhere! Going to get an SDS hammer drill.

[@dorkytourist]

Wow, this is a nice lesson and a convincing comparison. Gonna go shopping . . . Thank you!

[@rafaeldeleon225]

The struggles explained👍

[@TrauCau]

I feel so dump. I always thought rotary drill is for wood & drywall, and hammer drill is for concrete. Your video really proves me wrong.

[@heroknaderi]

The rotary hammer best especially for major jobs

[@MrLuigi77047]

This video is a masterpiece 👏. Exactly the information that I was looking for. I am mounting a toilet and needed only to drill two holes in concrete. I have a hammer drill, but it will not drill the aggregate . I need the holses in a certain place to line up with holes in the toilet. . I previously rigged it because my hammer drill sucks. My rig lasted twenty years, but it is leaking now. I know I can drill my holes with a rotary hammer drill. Thanks for making this video. No one else has shared this information. Great job 👏

[@thesage1096]

can vouch for this. had to put in some base boards around some cinder block walls. got one of those type of drills...and well yeah a rotary happer for cinder wall with 1/2" plaster is like going to a gun fight with an 80mm artillery cannon. but man it was a pleasure to use.

[@thesage1096]

also give the drill and chisle some real work breaking up a foundation block. work like a charm.

[@Mixwell1983]

Thanks for the video, i have a big old makita hammer drill and i just opened up a case i had in the garage of an aeg roto hammer and didnt know the diff. They aeg makes the big makita look not soo big. These were all my grandpas tools as he was a general contractor and has since passed but going through the garage i find all sorts of tools. My makita is same size as your dewalt and the aeg is huge like your roto

[@frankalarcon635]

Great video comparison! Im in the middle of drilling with my Bosch hammer drill into some concrete wall to put up some shelves and have spent over 2 hours for 6 holes!! and to make it worse 3 of the holes are oversize and the bolt anchors struggles to do up tight... I need a Rotary Hammer Drill!!

[@EjaxPlus]

This is my second time coming to this video after a year, it was flawless last time with a hammer drill. This time I'm stuck with 3 holes against an aggregate using the same hammer drill and getting concerned with my hands getting tremors. Time to invest on a rotary hammer 💰

[@Pinchshot39]

I spent 2 hours drilling 4 little holes last weekend. Should have watched this 1st.

[@BM-jw7pe]

Thanks for the video. It helped me to decide to spend the extra money and buy a third drill.

[@ClassyOldMusic]

Good Day! I hope you're enjoying a pleasant one. At about 1:20 where you advise about letting the machine have a good bounce. I used to restore vintage power tools, going back to the early 1900's, and some came with original instructions. More than once the Ol' Timey Instruction authors, while writing about how much pressure to use with the machine in question, power drills, saws, and such, advised to use just the right amount of pressure to let the tool do the work, and also warned not to "Crowd" the tool. I feel pretty certain you didn't pay a pile of money for your power tool so you can get a stiff muscle somewhere while trying to Force (Crowd) the machine, and not allow it to do the work for you. This video is my first introduction regarding the usefulness of the Rotary Hammer. I like it, and believe it to be an Excellent demonstration. Thank You for taking the time to create and post it. Enjoy! ~ john b.

[@hds181]

Has anyone else noticed the the rotary hammer is 3 times the size of the hammer drill? Sheer physics would indicate that it would go through faster under its own weight with equal drill bits, pushing or not.

[@MohdAsriOthman]

oh this explained why it took me so much times to drill a hole, my hammer drill just doesn't work on concrete

[@Cmarthet]

Great demo. Thanks!

[@flavacreations]

Great video thanks for the heads up

[@tomkelly8827]

Thanks for showing that! I was wondering why the prices were so different and now I see why!

[@1gearsplayer]

The bit is a major factor as well as the frequency of the hammer action. Sds bit versus a Jacobs chuck, no doubt.

[@bFORCe2003]

Rotary Hammer drills are the way to go but dang....that hammer drill is quality, the ones I've used take longer than that.

[@embrj1453]

That's the same experience i had, the only probably with rotatory drills is that they do not give a clean hole, in other words, if you want to drill a hole all the way trough it will come out with a chunk of concrete...

[@UCSPanther20]

I personally find hammer drills work best for 1/4 and smaller holes, especially with concrete screws.

[@Ritari2000]

Using impact drill for concrete drilling is like trying to cut meat with a dull knife. Rotary hammer is a proper tool for concrete and stone drilling

[@rumlad1]

Its not the speed of the drill but the blow force of the impact on the drill bit that counts. Measured in joules

[@johnlacambra6004]

4:39... When you play off the wrist twister as if it didn't hurt at all to keep a manly reputation amongs other old school short short wearing craftsmen.

[@boat6868]

That is a nice demonstration...thanks for the vid.

[@TickyTack23]

It sucks when you start drilling and hit rebar.

[@HealthIsPower]

Use a very strong magnet first to check!

[@ck8291]

HealthIsPower tks for the idea bro

[@rufie83]

or a water or gas conduit ;-)

[@josegomez6549]

Sky Pup what happens when you hit a post tension cable? I've never come across those

[@thatguywiththeface1741]

Jose Gomez it compromises it, gotta replace it.

[@DaveLeeNC]

Not sure why the criticism, but this was a very helpful video. FWIW, there is no fundamental difference between a hammer and rotary hammer. Rotary hammers are typically more powerful and use more sophisticated design to allow the designers a broader range of control of hammer vs. rotational forces. They are doing BASICALLY the same thing, but rotary hammers are in (most) all cases the better choice.

[@wingmanalive]

Good video. Nice info and demonstration. Not applicable though for the average homeowner looking to install a railing on their front porch or the weekend warrior. They simply can't justify spending $400 on a tool to drill 8 holes when they can go to Harbor Freight and buy a hammer drill for $40 that will do the job (in much more time give you). Yes the pros NEED these higher end tools for everyday heavy abuse and speed required for their application but if you're on a budget you can't always afford these workhorses. It also doesn't hurt to drop $100 on a good bit either.

[@krecikowi]

Exactly, and you can drill the same hole using "regular hammer drill" just takes longer, for home use hammer drill (corded!) is BEST tool ever. You can work on wood/plastic/concrete/mix paint/cement etc. etc. etc. ONE drill regular person will ever need for most of the jobs.

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

Yeah, If you only use it once in your life. Once you get a tool that others need they will pay you to drill them or rent your tool from you. It's a big picture.

[@JnrInd]

Awesome shorts bro!

[@mrpagoda]

Jesse Rice What shorts?This man is clearly in his underpants.

[@kevindunne513]

I thought his wife was drilling ....lol

[@latifquest5363]

@@kevindunne513 actually is. he is only speaking.

[@ElmoIsBold]

Okay, make that "one turns somewhat while mostly pounding, and the other pounds somewhat while mostly turning."

[@Rifleman0311]

Thank you for the lesson!

[@latifquest5363]

thank you for the legs

[@CampaholicsTV]

He sounds a little like Beavis. Thanks for the info and video! I'm wall mounting a massive tv and now I know I'm going with the rotary!! Thx brother

[@danbremer7010]

Jimmy Lee Motta Beavis would like to drill some holes and stuff.

[@cleric022684]

the biggest difference in both is that Hammer drill uses standard chuck and rotary hammer uses SDS chuck and bits, SDS lets the bit itself move back and forth within the head. Hammer drill moves with the whole head back and fort but only few mm but the bit and chuck are solid like one piece

[@davidsandoval1697]

great video! EXACTLY what i needed to know! i just started drilling into a concrete slab in my back yard with my regualr cobalt drill. took forever!!

[@ElmoIsBold]

That's a fair accusation. The hammerdrill is a DeWalt DWD520, with a 10A motor. The rotary hammer is a Milwaukee "Thunderbolt", and it's old enough that it comes in a metal case with no specs, nothing specified on the tool itself, and nothing that I can find on the Web. I would expect that the Thunderbolt draws more current if for no other reason than than the cord is heavier, but at the same time it's still only a 15A plug. Rotary hammers do take over at the heavier end of the workloads.

[@pssst3]

There is a big difference between 1/2" SDS masonry bits and 1/2"round shank masonry bits. There's a bigger difference between a rotary hammer that weighs and costs 3-4x as much as a 1/2" hammer drill. A hammer drill introduces some vibration, a rotary hammer applies spring loaded impacts. A 1/2 hammer drill is a drill that can handle occasionally drilling through masonry. A rotary hammer is the electrical replacement for a stra chisel and a hammer.

[@9292a-x6j]

I spent 20 minutes trying to get a hole, too.

[@tecager]

Lol I spent way longer than that

[@johnnydept4082]

That's what she said

[@charlesforeman9438]

Put this in slow motion and watch the chuck on the yellow drill first it's going in reverse as it struggles to drill, no wonder the other drill went through like butter as it was going the proper direction

[@mohshad]

Awesome! Exactly what I was looking for! Thank You!

[@garysandiego84]

The general name for the category is hammer drill. An ordinary (cheap) hammer drill has a clutch for the hammering action. A special (expensive) hammer drill known as a rotary hammer has a piston mechanism. It delivers a significantly harder pounding action. You can really feel it, the piston packs a helluva punch. Read the wikipedia article on Hammer drill.

[@merylweissman]

Stop arguing about the difference and look it up on wikipedia. Good video. His point about rotary hammers being easy on the user is spot on. Many even have dampeners in handle.

[@6lr6ak6]

The difference is night and day, and with Bosch Speedxtreme bits it'll drill through the rebar.

[@andyteri777]

Thanks for the video Bill Paxton

[@pepperdog3761]

another example of "right tool for the right job"

[@chriserasmo]

Good info. Very helpful

[@shahnawaz6240]

Really Really appreciated , I will buy the right one.

[@josh33025]

In my experience hammer drills excel in drilling cinder block and brick. Whereas a rotary will either crack cinder blocks or explode a brick in half. Just got to have the right tool for the job.

[@TheRpapito]

awesome comparison!