A hammer drill is a useful device to have around when performing various tasks at home. It is capable of drilling through materials that are too sturdy for a drill to get through, such as brick.
Of course, these drills are just suitable for heavy-duty applications. Many hammer drills have a setting that allows the heavy-duty hammer action to be shut off, so it can be used normally.
A hammer drill uses two different motions to punch though hard material: one motion is similar to that of a normal drill in that it rotates down into the material, creating a hollow.
Then, it replicates the motion of a hammer or chisel, moving up and down to punch through masonry and concrete effortlessly.
Understanding how to use your drill properly on hammer mode will ultimately make your job easier – and lengthen the life of your drill and drill bits. And we are going to discuss that on this article.
Hammer Drill
Hammer drill is a type of drill that has a round head with a detachable handle. A hammer drill is a handy tool that can be used for a variety of tasks around the house.
It’s typically used to create holes in various materials, but it can also be used for other purposes, like drilling screws into wood.
Hammer drills are used for drilling into hard materials such as concrete, masonry, and tile. They are also used for driving screws, bolts, and nails. It is easy to use and doesn’t require a lot of training to use.
How To Use A Hammer Drill: Step by Step Guide
Regardless of its brand, we’ll start by going over the process of using a standard hammer drill.
Step-1) Gathering Materials and safety gear
To make a drill safe, you must ensure you have all necessary materials. These include the following.
- Hammer drill
- Dill bits (sized as needed)
- A pencil or chalk
- Safety goggles
- Face mask
- Compressed air or a shop vac.
For this job, specifically, you will need to wear eye protection such as a pair of safety goggles. This is to prevent shards of brick or concrete from breaking off and lodging in your eye.
These goggles can also help keep your vision clear if, in the course of the procedure, your targeted surface is dusted with debris.
Step-2) Mark Drill Point
Before using your hammer drill, be sure to clearly identify the spot where you intend to drill. To do so, grab your pencil and place an X where you intend to place your hole.
If necessary, you can use a tape measure to ensure that the X you place is evenly spaced from other holes and height from the ground.
Step-3) Attach the Bit and Depth
Once you have marked your drill site, you can add your chosen drill bit to your hammer drill.
Like a standard drill press, these bits are designed to match the bore of the hole you’re making.
If you intend to start small and expand the hole as necessary, it’s better to begin with a bit around 2.0 inches in diameter.
This will provide the most guidance as you drill the hole.
By inserting the bit, you can begin to alter the depth of your hammer drill.
By increasing the bit size, the hammer drill stops drilling into your work surface once it has reached a certain depth.
This is a convenient feature when you’ll be constructing a series of uniformly spaced holes in concrete or brick.
Step-4) Start Slowly and Make a Small Hole First
You are now ready to begin the process of drilling. After plugging in the device, place the tip of your hammer drill bit and so against the center of your X-marked spot.
Then, lightly pull the drill trigger to loosen the unit so that it begins to spin slowly. Continue to do this until a small dimple is clearly visible at the point of drilling.
Step-5) Gradually Increase Speed and Finish
Your drill drill’s speed should increase as you drill deep into a surface. Continue to drill until you hit the depth you desire.
In some cases, you’ll have to stop periodically to clean out the hole as you drill. This can be done by using compressed air or a vacuum cleaner.
Cleaning out the hole frequently will make sure that there is adequate debris removed as you finish or enlarge the hole.
Safety Precautions You Should Take When Using A Hammer Drill
Hammer drills are great for quick and easy drilling tasks in a variety of materials. Here are some tips on how to use a hammer drill safely:
-Always wear safety gear, including a face shield and goggles, when using a hammer drill.
-Start by determining the correct bit size for your task. Most hammers drills come with multiple bit sizes to choose from.
-Drill slowly and steadily into the material, using even pressure throughout the stroke.
-If you are using the hammer drill without a chuck, be sure to secure your bit with a vise block when not drilling.