It might sound like a ridiculous question, but can a hammer drill be used as a screwdriver? Surprisingly, the answer is yes.
In fact, many people actually use their hammer drills as screwdrivers because they are lightweight and easy to use.
If you’re not sure whether or not your drill can be used as a screwdriver, try using it to unscrew a lightbulb or lid from a jar.
If it’s able to do these simple tasks, then it most likely can also handle more challenging screws.
However, you cannot use them to drive screws in every situation; continue reading to learn more about some of the basic facts about using hammer drills as a screwdriver.
Hammer Drill & Their Types
The hammer drill is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of tasks, such as drilling holes and screw driving.
It is also a useful tool for home improvement projects. It can be used to drill holes in wood, metal, and even concrete.
The hammer drill is not a screwdriver; it will not turn screws or tighten nuts. However, it can be used to drive a screw into hard surfaces such as wood or concrete.
You can utilize different drills for differing degrees of work. All are made to drill concrete or stone, however, some are better suited for manufacturing and commercial use.
These drills are more expensive but are much more effective. In the following sections, we’ll look at the different models, so you can select the right one for your job.
Standard hammer drills
The hammer function is activated when the toggled and internal wiring circulate through an appliance.
The drill chuck moves back and forth, creating the presence of a hammering sound when digging the material. This hammering sound is called radially to break up concrete, stone, or brick.
Rotary hammer Drills
Rotary hammer drills function in much the same way as traditional pull drills, apart from the fact that the drill only rotates in one direction instead of reciprocating.
This makes rotary hammer drills much more effective and powerful. Combined with slotted drives, you can drill concrete, brick, or tiles without leaving a mark.
D-handled Hammer Drills
A type of hammer drills with the trigger or power switch at the rear are the type that make continuous speed and torque, making them excellent for drilling through dense materials.
They can also serve as a tool to mix paint and other applications. This design also facilitates a more stable and reliable drilling experience.
Using a D-handle hammer drill to drive screws is not recommended, as you are more likely to strip the screw or cause its head to break off due to the speed and force delivered by this tool.
Pneumatic Hammer Drills
These are the tools you use when you need a lot of power to be transferred in a fast manner.
The power is produced via the compressor, which is connected via a thick hose that takes up one hundred times average air pressure.
This extensive pressure is then forced on the drill motor and can generate up to two thousand rotations per minute.
Hammer Drill Working Mechanism
Hammer drill’s working mechanism differs from that of a normal hand drill due to the presence of a hammering mechanism in the drill that pushes the bit in and out when the drill is operating. This forces the user to work at formidable jobs effortlessly.
When rotating the drill bit, the cam-action or percussion hammering mechanism makes two sets of toothed gears mechanically interact.
With regard to cam-action drills, the chuck mechanism causes the device to move forward and backwards on the axis of rotation with bits.
Hammer drills can function with or without cam-action drills; however, it is impossible to use only the hammer action as it is the rotation over the cams that stimulates the hammer action.
The particularly designed clutch in the hammer drill turns it as it pounds it in and out with the aid of the bit axis.
The extent to that the bit moves on and off and the power of the blow are comparatively little, and the move is extremely quick.
Screw Driver Working Mechanism
An electric screwdriver is a small electric tool that simplifies the procedure of screwing and unscrewing.
The handle and shaft of the driver allow the device to be placed and manually apply on torque as it rotates.
Additionally, a screw head with a contour appropriate for screwdriver tips ensures adequate torque to the screwdriver, enabling it to rotate easily by the force of one hand.
The voltage of a cordless screwdriver varies between 3 and 18 V. Generally, the rechargeable screwdriver batteries last for approximately 1.5 hours, between 2 and 3 hours, and more than 3 hours. It is significantly less effective than a drill.
Some screwdrivers are powerful enough to thread a soft screw into a soft material, but they can damage harder materials, such as concrete and hardwood.
Can a Hammer Drill be Used as a Screwdriver?
Most people believe that a hammer drill cannot be used as a screwdriver, but this is not entirely true.
In fact, with the right technique and some practice, a hammer drill can be used to drive screws with precision.
Hammer drills are a tool that archetypally function as power machines for drilling into hard substances, and their hammering motion makes them better at driving holes in these substances before driving a screw.
Normally, a “normal” hammer drill can be used as a screwdriver when the hammering action is turned off and you use a circular sectional driver bit.
This is an alternative to the small size screws, though it is not highly recommended, because the chuck and driver bit can be slipped easily due to high torque.
Bits Needed for a Screwdriver or Hammer Drill?
Bit types are important when it comes to using a screwdriver or hammer drill. The bit type can make a big difference in how the screwdriver or hammer drill performs.
There are three main types of bits: Phillips, Pozi-drive, and Torx. Each has its own specific use and is best suited for different tasks.
For example, a Phillips bit is great for screws that have round heads, while a Pozi-drive bit is perfect for screws with square heads.
Torx bits are ideal for screws with hexagonal heads.
FAQs
Q. Using a Hammer Drill as a Screw Driver, Worthy or Not
Answer: You can drive in screws with a hammer drill’s drive function. The hammering motion makes hammer drills effective in driving holes, as it works especially well with hard materials.
Nonetheless, the heftiness of hammer drills may deter screw driving because screws can spin on their own, without direction from the driver.
Most importantly, do not use a hammer drill to drive screws if drive function is not available as it is not secure enough to drive screws in concrete or brick.
Hammer drills are very pricey due to the high amount of energy it requires to pierce into concrete or brick.
Overall, a hammer drill is a heavy-duty tool that is both heavier and more costly than a screwdriver.
So it is not a good decision to use a sledgehammer drill as a screwdriver. You could get a better screwdriver.
Q. Can you use a hammer drill for anything?
Answer: There’s no denying that a hammer drill is an incredibly versatile tool, capable of completing a variety of tasks.
From drilling holes in materials to pounding nails into boards, this machine has plenty to offer. But just what can you do with a hammer drill?
Here are six examples to get you started;
-Hammer drills can be used for basic carpentry tasks like nailing boards together or drilling holes in wood.
-They can also be used for more advanced projects like making custom brackets or installing tile flooring.
-If you need to make large or complicated holes, a hammer drill is the best option due to its greater power and rigidity.
-Finally, hammers drills can also be used for various DIY projects like building shelves or cabinets from scratch.
Q. How do you put a screwdriver bit in a drill?
Answer: The screwdriver bit can be inserted into a drill by holding it with the blade end pointing down and the handle facing away from you.
You then line up the hole in the object you’re drilling with one of the screwdriver’s sharp edges and push it into the drill while twisting it.
Final Words
After reading this piece, hopefully you will have a better understanding of the question. Can you really use a hammer drill as a screw driver or not.
Hope you liked the article, feel free to share your thoughts.