If you need to drill holes through concrete roof or slab, you have basically two tool choices—a hammer drill or a rotary hammer drill. Professional and amateur roofers will get their work done faster by using either of these two handy tools according to roofing contractors Houston.

Since these two tools function just about the same, how do you know which one to use for a particular job? We can tell you but before we do, we will give you basic information about how they function and their differences.

Both these drills generate pounding force while the bits spin that greatly help in boring through concretes. What differentiates a hammer drill from the rotary hammer is the mechanical process that produces this pounding action.

Hammer Drill Uses Ridged Discs

A hammer drill has two metal discs with ridges that slide past the other during operation. As one disc slides past, it rises then falls creating that pounding action on the chuck. The pounding action stops when no force is applied on the chuck, thus saving against wear and tear. The hammer drill functions as an ordinary drill without this pounding action.

Rotary Hammer Drill Uses Air Pressure

A rotary hammer uses a piston driven by a crankshaft to generate the hammering action. An air pressure is created when the piston is pushed forward. This air pressure is what creates the pounding action.

The hammering action created by a rotary hammer drill is greater than the pounding action generated by a hammer drill. For those who need a more powerful tool to bore through the hardest masonry, the hammer drill is the preferred tool.

An additional feature of the rotary hammer drill that is not found in the hammer drill is the adjustable settings for hammer drill mode, drill mode and purely hammer mode. The last mode allows the rotary hammer drill to work just like a mini jackhammer.

Hammer Drills for Light-Duty Drilling

For drilling holes in bricks, concrete blocks and mortar, a hammer drill will do just fine. You need not to buy the more expensive rotary hammer drill for these relatively-lighter works.

Rotary Hammer for Heavy-Duty Drilling

Rotary hammer drills are ideal for boring through hardened concrete. An added feature for this tool is its adaptability to be fitted with different attachments. Special chucks are available with extra features that increase productivity. When set to hammer mode, different attachments are available for each type of job.

Going back to our question above, a hammer drill is ideal for light-duty masonry drilling by DIY homeowners who do occasional jobs while the rotary hammer drill is more suited for processionals who have to deal with harder concrete regularly.