A conventional electric drill drills even holes in wood, plastic and metal. The rotation mode with a blow makes it easier to work with solid materials, but it is better to entrust the work with concrete and stone to a special drilling tool. a perforator. About how to choose a hammer for home, read our article.
Hammer or hammer drill?
All modern electric drills have a hammer drilling mode. Can a drill compete with a perforator in the processing of solid materials. concrete and stone? Our answer is definitely negative. The fact is that the impact of the drill is very weak, its strength is not even indicated in the technical specifications.
Ratchet wheels jump over each other
The picture shows how the drill is arranged: ratchet wheels that jump over each other during rotation give the cartridge a reciprocating motion. When drilling, it feels like a slight vibration of the tool. To get at least some effect, you need to press the drill into the wall with an effort of 10-15 kilograms.
Another thing is a hammer drill. He drills a hole in any concrete, as in a tree. It’s all about the power of the blow, which reaches tens of joules. Helps to develop such a force. pneumatics.
The diagram shows one of the design options for the hammer drill. The electric motor rotates the shaft on which the swinging bearing is mounted. it is also called “drunk”. The bearing is connected to the wall of the air cylinder. Inside the cylinder, an air gap separates the flying piston from the wall, to which the hammer is attached, which acts on the tool. Due to the swing of the bearing, the pressure in the cylinder increases or decreases. Due to air pumping, the impact force on the striker is significantly increased.
The first punch was invented in the middle of the 19th century for miners. A manual drilling machine chipped pieces of rock in a mine. An electric hammer drill appeared in 1932.
Although the drill and punch are similar in appearance, they are completely different tools. In the cabinet of the home master, of course, there should be an electric drill for drilling holes. But, if you are repairing an apartment with concrete walls, you have plans to install sockets, hinge shelves and ditching grooves, we recommend taking a hammer drill. you will spend ten times less effort putting the apartment in order.
The disadvantage of a punch is a loud rattling sound spreading throughout the house so that the source cannot be localized.
A puncher is more expensive than a drill, but your doubts will disappear as soon as you make the first hole and feel what this powerful machine is capable of.
Punch Selection Criteria
Impact energy
The main parameter of the puncher is the energy transmitted by the brisk processing tool, it is measured in joules. The larger this value, the larger the hole the device can make. However, chasing numbers is not worth it, a machine with an energy of 27 joules looks like a jackhammer for road workers and weighs almost 12 kg. For drilling holes with drills with a diameter of up to 30 mm, energy of 1.5–2.5 joules is sufficient.
Punch Weight
The impact energy is directly related to the weight of the device. They are conditionally divided into three categories: light (up to 4 kg), medium (4-5 kg) and heavy (over 5 kg). The smaller the weight of the device, the easier it is to hold it in your hands, but the impact energy of a machine weighing 2 kg will be 1.4 joules. this is enough to work with a drill up to 18 mm in diameter.
The lightest punchers are almost no different from an electric drill. For them, nozzles with a cam cartridge clamping simple drills are produced. This versatile two-in-one appliance saves you money.
Engine power and shaft speed
The industry produces rotary hammers with power from 500 to 2000 W, but this parameter is not decisive. Manufacturers select the optimal power for each model. If you are drilling a hole in a concrete wall with a depth of more than 50 cm, we recommend taking a machine with an engine of at least 1 kW. The friction in the wall is very large, the slightest skew. and the low-power engine will stop.
The spindle speed is also not important, it can be from 600 to 1.5 thousand revolutions per minute. The principle of operation of the puncher is shock destruction of the material, rotation of the drill is necessary only to remove dust from the processing zone. Rotating too fast will increase tool wear.
A useful feature of the rotary hammer is automatic speed control. The electronic circuit selects the speed according to the density of the processed material.
Modes of operation (table)
Cartridge type
Especially for Bosch rock drills, SDS plus and SDS max. In them, the tool clamps instantly and never unscrews itself (unlike cam chucks).
The most common cartridges are SDS plus. approximately 60% of perforators. They are designed for drills with 10 mm shanks and are used in light and medium instruments. SDS max cartridges are used in heavy rotary hammers, for drills from 20 mm in diameter.
Engine Location: Vertical or Horizontal
Structurally, rotary hammers come with a horizontal arrangement of the engine and with a vertical one.
The first in the shape of the body and the position of the controls is similar to an electric drill: long and narrow, with a short handle and a trigger. Such a tool is convenient to climb into a cramped place. a cabinet or duct. When drilling deep holes, the machine goes smoothly, the drill leads less away. But such a puncher is difficult to hammer the ceiling and cut the grooves. you have to twist the brush, your hands quickly get tired.
On the left. an example of a hammer with a horizontal motor, on the right. with a vertical
Video: Hammer Tests Which Puncher Is Better
A vertical engine takes up less space and cools better. The machine falls into the hands, like a Kalashnikov assault rifle, is stable and perfectly controlled during operation. Due to the position of the operator’s hands on the same axis with the chisel, the puncher is convenient to work from the belt, and with one hand. A strob from the floor to the ceiling is cut at a time without any fatigue.
Additional functions
A good hammer drill is equipped with additional functions that increase the convenience and safety of working with the tool.
Do you know that a hammer can work as a construction mixer? Under the SDS plus cartridge, nozzles are available for mixing cement or tile adhesive.
Power supply
To summarize: the characteristics of an ideal tool for the home
For the home, it makes no sense to buy a professional appliance that can crush monolithic slabs throughout the shift, so we recommend purchasing middle-class appliances. The most famous and best brands are Makita and Bosch, but you can take Sturm, Hitachi or Interskol.
Life shows that a typical repair plan will include hanging shelves, installing sockets, knocking down tiles, and the diameter of the holes to be made will not exceed a half-inch pipe (21 mm).
When installing a split system, the usual hole diameter in the outer wall is 65 mm, this task is for a professional tool. A less powerful punch is suitable for mounting the indoor unit.
Recommended home punch features:
- Power: 500–1000 watts.
- Impact force: 1.5–2.5 joules. This energy is enough for drilling concrete and cutting grooves in the walls. If you need to break the wall, you should take a tool with more energy.
- Operating modes: simple drilling, drilling with impact, drilling without impact.
- Protective coupling. If you work with complex material. Soviet concrete slabs with stones and fittings, drill deep holes of large diameter, the drill may jam. The coupling protects you from injuries, and the device from overheating.
- Cartridge SDS plus. A wide selection of nozzles, drills and chisels with such a shank. Quick tool change. Reliable fastening. the tool does not fall out of the chuck.
Rating of popular models
The table shows the important characteristics of popular rotary hammers and gives a brief assessment of these models.
Table: The best home punchers
- Drilling;
- Hit;
- Drilling with a punch.
- Switch lock;
- Keyless chuck;
- Reverse;
- Plastic case.
- Drilling;
- Hammer drilling;
- Slotting;
- Bit fixation in 36 positions.
- Speed adjustment;
- Trip clutch;
- Reverse.
- Drilling;
- Hammer drilling;
- Chiselling.
- Speed adjustment;
- Trip clutch;
- Reverse;
- Suitcase.
- Drilling;
- Hammer drilling;
- Chiselling.
- The speed is regulated by the effort of pressing the start button;
- Reverse.
- Trip clutch;
- Suitcase: included 3 drills, cam cartridge, carbon brushes.
- Reverse;
- Speed adjustment;
- Protective coupling;
- Cam cartridge included;
- Suitcase.
- Reverse;
- Protective coupling;
- Speed adjustment;
- Suitcase;
- Side handle with vibration protection.
- Drilling;
- Drilling with a punch.
- Protective coupling;
- Locking the start button.
- Drilling;
- Hammer drilling;
- Chiselling.
- Protective coupling;
- Speed adjustment;
- Includes cam cartridge, nozzles and dust cap.
- Protective coupling
- Reverse
- Speed adjustment
- Drill chuck
- Suitcase
Photo: punchers from the rating
User reviews
The surprisingly convenient KRÜGER puncher (Germany) in work of 1400 W.
Kruger was once again surprised. I have a screwdriver of this company, also very pleased with it. KRUGER rotary hammer powerful, but lightweight, a little more than 3 kg. There is a case, you can transport it and store the tool in it, also convenient. Drills any material. concrete, natural stone. It is convenient for them to chip the tiles. In general, a super-assistant, especially in the repair. We are in full swing.
alister76 perforator.krugerpro.ru
I bought a Makita HR 2450. All makita are light weight. a big plus, they work one and a half to two years with a bang, I have been involved in electrical installation for 30 years, of which I have been working with makita since 2001. the best value for money! Disadvantages: do not equate with Milwaukee or Hilti. another level. For 15 years of work on construction sites and repairs, I tested many manufacturers. I was looking for the best for the right price. it’s better not to find makita. There are many negative comments, but it’s all because of crooked hands. Professionally engaged in electrical installation, as well as breaking concrete walls, sawing openings in reinforced concrete walls. Makita tool recommend!
ulyanov renmakita.vseinstrumenti.ru/instrument/perforatory/sds-plus/perforator_makita_hr2450/#tab-Responses
We bought a SPETS-BPE-620 SPETS-3111 puncher. Pluses: a good hit. Easy. Not good-ko. Minuses: heats up. Comment: For home use. Cosmetic repair, installation of shelves, curtains. Pictures to hang. The main thing is not to rush to cool. Ideal for the price.
Sergeihttp://www.vseinstrumenti.ru/instrument/perforatory/sds-plus/spets/bpe-620_3111/#tab-Responses
I bought a Sturm 2550 hammer drill. Pluses: price. Took for 2.700 p. 4 years ago. It paid off in the FIRST month! The most elegant set for modest money: a chisel, a peak, a couple of drills, an adapter adapter (with a key) for drills, a nipple and spare brushes. Reliability. The production is excellent. He worked for 4 years in difficult conditions. It would work further if it had not corrupted in a fire. For all this time there were only 2 breakdowns: the power cord “angle grinder” was accidentally cut and the button broke. Not critical. replaced. Disadvantages: heavy. When drilling ceilings, it’s not very convenient, but you can get used to it. And the 220 V power cord is short. Again, when drilling ceilings, he jumped out of the extension cord. Wildly annoying. With such a mass, it is surprising that this perforator with a power of just 650 watts. But not in all the cracks of his "face" breaks. In this case, I recommend taking authentic Boers. But these are all the nuances. Do not believe the manufacturers that drilling with a crown up to 55 mm, I drilled 69 mm and more. Once I drilled a concrete floor of 1.2 m to them. I got it. The rest is a solid hard worker. I would add: "breadwinner."
Unknownhttp://www.vseinstrumenti.ru/instrument/perforatory/sds-plus/sturm/rh2565/#tab-Responses
The Energomash PE-25500 puncher. convenient, and most importantly inexpensive! Disadvantages: yes, but not significant. Bought on occasion, especially did not pick up. But he was not mistaken; he has been working flawlessly for more than a year. Shtrobit regularly. No odors were noticed. Successful, and most importantly powerful model.
kl00lkhttp://otzovik.com/review_2494618.html
Advantages of DeWALT D 25133 K: very lightweight, does not break drills, as a small impact force, like a dowel, is an ideal tool. Disadvantages: you have to make considerable efforts to start pecking. Need to push the shock mass. The impact force is 2.6 J, not 2.9. At full speed, the impact force decreases and therefore you have to hold about 3/4 of the full engine speed, in this mode the maximum impact force, but it’s not convenient to hold the button. I drilled about 30 m. Of concrete wall and the trunk bent. Not suitable for strobing. A great option for working with small diameter drills. Drills perfectly even with a bent barrel. In work about x months. Let’s see how long it lasts.
Alexanderhttp://dewalt.vseinstrumenti.ru/instrument/perforatory/sds-plus/perforator_dewalt_d_25133_k/#tab-Responses