How to Use Rotary Hammer Drill. Rotary hammer drills could drill and hammer, but read on to know how rotary hammer drills work. First, it’s true that professional workers choose rotary hammer drills over hammer drills for specific tasks.
Certainly, rotary hammer drills have the same features as typical hammer drills. They can drill and hammer workpiece at the same time. In fact, the three-mode operation isn’t a hidden function on them. You’re to use them to determine the usability of the power tool itself.
However, the difference is that rotary hammers don’t rev as rigorous as hammer drills, but their pulverizing capacity is as impactful as traditional hammer drills at a high rpm. How to Use Rotary Hammer Drill. Rotary hammer drills have a peculiar structure; secondary handles are heavy-duty impact tools. Therefore, you’ve now understood why learning this upfront is so important.
In spite of the fact that you can find the power tool in cordless and corded designs, you can’t believe that how you use the two types is different. So, hop into the voyage as we simplify the methodology of using a rotary hammer drill, both cordless and corded, here. So, come on!
Table of Contents
How to Use Rotary Hammer Drill? 11 Easy Steps
- How to Use Rotary Hammer Drill. Getting the right bit and attachment for the tool is significant. Rotary hammer bits don’t have teeth on their shanks. Their bits make them usable for drilling and hammering concretes, bricks, and rocks at high striking intensities.
- Grease the bits if you’re inserting them into the impact tool for the first time to prevent friction while the bit is swiveling. Grease the bit at the tip and the shank if you’re instructed by a professional.
- Push the chuck backward almost to the rear and use one hand to clamp it in the scope. Grip the bit after that and insert it through the shank into the chuck of the power tool.
- There’s a hook that the shank of the bit needs to hang on. Twist the tip clockwise from the bit’s end so the leg can clink and click onto the hook.
- Release the chuck you pushed and held steadily backward so it can retract to its former position to keep the bit in place.
- Set the operating mode of the rotary hammer drill to any of the three options. The operational modes available are “drill,” “hammer,” and “drill and hammer.”
- Ignite the power of the rotary hammer drill at this time and press the trigger to get the bit revving. Press the rotary hammer drill against the workpiece while the bit is swiveling.
- The three adapters used on rotary hammer drills are SDS and SDS plus adapter and spline adapter. SDS and SDS Plus adapters could contain a 10mm diameter bit, while the advanced SDS max adapter could contain an 18mm diameter shank. And finally, there’s a spline adapter that works for spline bits.
- Debris in the bit area could limit the swiveling of the rotary hammer drill bits. Exertion of intense pressure on the workpiece could restrict the rotation of the hammer drill bits.
- Using the hammer mode, the shank of the rotary hammer drill bit doesn’t swivel. The hammer and drill mode is incredible for driving a wide-inch hole in a concrete and rocky workpiece.
- Switch off the rotary hammer drill before removing the bit from the chuck of the hammer drill. Remove the drill bit and clean it before you save it.
Can a Rotary Hammer Drill be Used as a Regular Drill?
Yes, you can. Regular drills use standard bits, and you’ll find it admirably to pierce into concretes and stones. A rotary hammer drill could function as a regular drill also. It could swivel the drill bits in different degrees. How to Use Rotary Hammer Drill. All you have is to set the drilling mode to have the unit function as it ought. However, you’d have to switch to “hammer and drill” mode to use it on masonry projects.
Can You Use a Rotary Hammer to Break Concrete?
Yea, a rotary hammer drill can break concretes. It could break bricks and rocks. Nonetheless, How to Use Rotary Hammer Drill. it must be set on the “hammer and drill” mode. The appropriate bit must be used to tackle the challenge at hand. There are masonry bits, chisel bits, spade, and scaling attachments. Overall, getting the right bit for the task at hand is all that’s required.
What is a Rotary Hammer Drill Good For?
A rotary hammer drill works as a power tool that’s usable on virtually all materials such as wood, metals, and plastics. The heavy-duty machine cuts out and pulsates bodies by grounding them with its hammer into sizes. It has dual functions that make it usable for hammering and drilling. The power tool is savable and reliable on masonry tasks and regular tasks.
Understanding Your Rotary Hammer’s Modes
Most rotary hammers come with three distinct modes. Understanding them is key to using the tool effectively: How to Use Rotary Hammer Drill
- Drill-Only Mode (Rotation Only): This functions like a regular drill. It’s used for drilling into wood or metal (with the correct bit and chuck adapter).
- Hammer-Drill Mode (Rotation and Hammering): This is the primary mode for drilling into concrete and masonry. The bit both spins and hammers forward, pulverizing the material as it drills.
- Hammer-Only Mode (Chipping): This mode provides only hammering action with no rotation. It’s used for light demolition tasks like chipping away old tile or breaking up concrete.
Is a Rotary Hammer Worth it?
Yes, it does. The Rotary hammer doesn’t rev adequately as a hammer drill, but it works awesomely as a jackhammer. It is worth every dim you spend to get the rotary hammer as far as it serves you right. How to Use Rotary Hammer Drill. Having a rotary hammer saves you the expenses of owning a regular drill.
What is the Difference Between a Hammer Drill and a Rotary Hammer Drill?
The Hammer drill has ridges that rub against one another to prompt the blows to move up and down in a pulverized manner. However, rotary hammer drills have their crests moving apart. They look different because rotary hammer drills have secondary handles and are heavy-duty, but hammer drills aren’t.

Final Words
This is how you’re to use a rotary hammer drill and get the best out of it. The rotary hammer drill is a dependable power tool you can use often. Set it up properly, and you’ll be glad you follow the directions stated here. Now you know how to use a rotary hammer drill safely and effectively. It’s a tool that commands respect, but by understanding its modes, using the right technique, and prioritizing safety, you can tackle any concrete or masonry drilling project with confidence. “Now you have the essential knowledge on how to use a rotary hammer drill safely and effectively.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Using a Rotary Hammer Drill
Question 1: What is the main difference between a regular hammer drill and a rotary hammer drill?
Answer 1: The primary difference is the mechanism they use. A regular hammer drill uses two spinning, ribbed discs that click past each other to create a vibrating hammer action. A rotary hammer uses a piston mechanism driven by a crankshaft, much like a small jackhammer. This creates a much more powerful and efficient hammering force, allowing it to drill into dense concrete and masonry far more effectively than a standard hammer drill.
Question 2: Can I use regular drill bits in a rotary hammer drill?
Answer 2: No, you cannot use standard round-shank drill bits directly in a rotary hammer’s SDS chuck. Rotary hammers require special SDS, SDS-PLUS, or SDS-MAX bits that have slots on the shank to lock into the chuck and allow for the back-and-forth hammering motion. However, you can buy a special chuck adapter that will allow you to use regular bits in “drill-only” mode (without the hammer function).
Question 3: Why is it important not to push too hard on the rotary hammer?
Answer 3: A rotary hammer is designed to do the work for you through its powerful hammering action. Applying excessive forward pressure actually works against the tool. It can reduce the effectiveness of the hammer blows, cause the bit to overheat, and lead to premature wear and tear on the tool’s internal mechanism. The correct technique is to apply just enough steady pressure to keep the bit engaged with the material and let the tool’s power do the drilling.
Question 4: What does SDS stand for and why is it important?
Answer 4: SDS stands for “Slotted Drive System” (originally “Steck-Dreh-Sitz” in German, which translates to Insert-Twist-Stay). It’s important because this system allows the drill bit to slide back and forth within the chuck while still rotating. This movement is essential for the powerful piston-driven hammering action to be effective. It ensures that all the energy of the hammer blow is transferred directly to the tip of the bit, resulting in faster and more efficient drilling in concrete.
Question 5: Is it necessary to clean the dust out of the hole after drilling?
Answer 5: Yes, cleaning the hole is a critical and often overlooked step, especially if you are installing concrete anchors (like Tapcons or drop-ins). A hole filled with concrete dust will prevent the anchor from making proper contact with the solid concrete, which can reduce its holding strength by more than 50%. For a secure and safe installation, always clean the hole thoroughly with a wire brush and compressed air or a vacuum.