
Rotary Hammer / Hammer Drill Bits Explained Watch on A rotary hammer bit is a drill bit that is used with a rotary hammer drill. The bit is inserted into the chuck of the drill and is used to drill holes in concrete and other masonry materials.
What is a hammer drill bit?
What is a hammer drill bit? Hammer drills are designed to quickly drill through brittle materials like concrete by combining the rotary action of the drill bit with a hammer action that moves the drill bit in and out of the hole along the bit’s axis to provide a pounding action along with the drilling motion of the bit.
Can you use a hammering drill to drill holes in metal?
When drilling holes in metal, you don’t need to use the hammering drill. In fact, trying to drill with hammering action will cause your drill bit to skate across the metal surface. So turn the mode switch to drill only mode and use the right drill bit.
What is a hollow drill bit?
These bits have a round or hex shank that fits into the three-jaw chuck on a hammer drill. Drill holes up to 1 1/2" in diameter. These bits allow you to easily switch to another size by changing only the bit body. They are hollow and cut with their outside edge for drilling holes larger than 1 1/2" in diameter.
What are the different hammer bit shape options?
In addition to button shape options, many hammer bit manufacturers offer carbide grade options such as Dynite, DP65, and Diamond Enhanced. Call Givens to explore your options. Dome is the most common button design and is used in all applications. Its tough shape makes it durable and best suited for hard abrasive rock and deep hole drilling.
What is the purpose of a hammer drill bit?
What is a hammer drill?
What is carbide in concrete drill bits?
Why is a rotary hammer drill not smooth?
What is the flute on a drill bit?

What is a hammer drill bit used for?
Hammer Drill Bits A hammer drill is perfect for light masonry. It works best at drilling holes in bricks, mortar and concrete blocks. But it can also handle the occasional hole in poured concrete.
Are hammer drill bits different?
The connection types are different and not interchangeable, so be sure to buy the bit to match your hammer. In general, you move from SDS-Plus to SDS-Max as the hole diameter you need to drill increases, though there is plenty of overlap in the middle diameters.
Can you use a hammer drill as a regular drill?
Can a hammer drill be used as a regular drill? The majority can, though it is important to turn the hammer action off. That feature is designed for drilling holes in concrete, brick, masonry, etc., and punches a particular type of drill bit into the surface.
How do I identify a hammer drill bit?
You can identify them thanks to their wide arrow-shaped heads. They're commonly used in hammer drills to grind masonry down as they cut through it.
What are the 5 types of drill bits?
Drill Bit Types: Physical ShapeTwist bit. A twist bit (sometimes called a fluted bit) is far and away the most common type of drill bit, probably because it's the one with the greatest number of uses. ... Spade bit. ... Hole saw. ... Step bit. ... High-carbon steel. ... High-speed steel. ... Carbide or carbide-tipped. ... Coatings.More items...•
How do I know which drill bit to use?
The diameter of the hole you drill should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw. So, for example, if you're using a 3.5 mm screw, use a drill bit with a diameter of 3 mm. If you're using wall anchors as well as screws, the drill bit and anchors should have the same diameter.
Do I really need a hammer drill?
If the project requires drilling in masonry, you're going to need the hammer function. Hammer drills are regularly used by contractors and professionals to install electrical boxes and other fixtures to brick and block walls.
What is the difference between a hammer drill and a driver drill?
A hammer drill exerts greater force directly into the bit as it hits the material being drilled, while an impact driver increases the force being delivered perpendicular to the bit. If you're using a hammer drill, picture someone slamming the back of the drill harder into surface being drilled.
Does my drill have a hammer setting?
Past the highest number on the clutch setting will be an icon of a drill bit. Place the arrow on the drill icon when you want to drill. If your drill is equipped with a hammer drill setting, you'll also see a hammer icon.
What kind of drill bits do hammer drills use?
As with all tools, one should read through the manual to familiarize oneself with all the functions available. Drilling through cement board, cinder block and masonry with a hammer drill requires special masonry bits. Select a bit with special carbide tips designed to withstand the impact of hammer drills.
What are the different types of hammer drill bits?
For hammer drills and rotary hammers, there are three major chuck/bit design systems available:SDS/SDS-Plus (in terms of compatibility, "SDS" and "SDS-Plus" are completely interchangeable.)SDS Max, and.Spline Drive.
What does SDS stand for on a drill?
Slotted Drive ShaftSDS stands for Slotted Drive Shaft or Slotted Drive System. SDS bits are inserted into the chuck to make a rotary hammer or a hammer drill.
What drill bits do you use for hammer drill?
7Drill bits A brad point (or w-point tip) bit is best for drilling very clean holes into wood or for jobs like dowelling, as the outside cutting edges do most of the work before the centre breaks through. Masonry bits are best for drilling into bricks, concrete and stone and are usually used with hammer drills.
What type of drill bits are used with a hammer drill?
Quarter-inch hex shank bits are intended to be used on 1/4-inch impact drivers and can be quickly changed. SDS (slotted drive system) shanks are used for concrete drills and demolition bits and work specifically with SDS-Plus and SDS-Max rotary hammer drills.
Can all masonry bits be used in a hammer drill?
Concrete and masonry bits are specifically constructed for the heavy duty pounding that they get from everyday use in hammer and rotary hammer drills. They are not interchangeable with bits designed for glass, wood, tile, and metal surfaces unless you are using a specialty multi-material bit.
Can I use a rotary drill bit in a hammer drill?
Hammer drill bits will work in a regular drill, but not very good. Rotary masonry drill bits will work in a regular drill and aren't designed for use in a hammer drill.
What is the purpose of a hammer drill bit?
Regardless of the hammer drill bit’s precise composition, the basic elements are the same and its ultimate role is the same: to provide a precise test hole in a concrete slab that will accommodate the RH sensor for accurate RH , or in situ, testing of the slab’s moisture conditions. Both the depth and the width of that hole play a role in providing accurate RH data to building inspectors, flooring installers, and other professionals and specialists in place to provide a lasting and serviceable concrete slab.
What is a hammer drill?
Hammer drills are designed to quickly drill through brittle materials like concrete by combining the rotary action of the drill bit with a hammer action that moves the drill bit in and out of the hole along the bit’s axis to provide a pounding action along with the drilling motion of the bit.
What is carbide in concrete drill bits?
For concrete drill bits (and others), carbide is bonded to the drill bit head to harden and strengthen it for breaking up the concrete.
Why is a rotary hammer drill not smooth?
For most rotary hammer drills, a smooth shank is insufficient because the drill bit can slip during operation and come loose from the drill itself. Common shank designs for rotary hammer drills include SDS, SDS-MAX or spline shanks that lock into the chuck so that the action of the hammer drill will not dislodge the drill bit. The land.
What is the flute on a drill bit?
The flute. The flute on a drill bit is the “trough” that runs parallel to the land. Its purpose is to move dust out of the hole as it is being drilled in order to prevent jamming. The head. The head is the lead point of the drill bit that holds the tip and provides maximum impact in breaking up the concrete.
What are jackhammer bits made of?
Jackhammer bits are made of hardened medium carbon alloy steel. They are often forged, case-hardened, and tempered to keep the tip hard and wear-resistant while retaining the core tough to absorb shocks.
Why use a chisel bit on a jackhammer?
It is why you see jackhammers with chisel bits used to break up smaller sections at a time. You can get several variations of the jackhammer chisel bits for different purposes. For the most part, the narrow chisel is the bit of choice. But there are larger chisels used when the concrete may be weak or compromised.
What is the best steel for a jackhammer?
The exact grade of steel varies according to the bit manufacturer. AISI 1045 and AISI 8640 are two of the most commonly used steel grades to make jackhammer bits. You can also get bits made out of tool steels such as S5 or S7, AISI 1075, 9260, etc.
What is the most common bit used to break concrete?
The hexagonal moil point breaker bits are the ones you see most often for breaking concrete. 2. Chisels. The chisel is arguably the most common bit for all jackhammers. Both the narrow chisel and standard moil point can be used for breaking concrete.
What is a driver in a jackhammer?
Drivers. These are jackhammer bits that have a cup-shaped end. As the name implies, these are bits designed to drive or push objects into the ground or into other objects. The cup acts as a retainer, holding the object in place while it is being driven into the surface of the ground or another object.
Why use a narrow chisel bit?
Sometimes, the larger chisels are used for scoring concrete that may be too strong to break up with a narrow chisel bit. Chisels are important bits because they can effectively crack and break up the material instead of just punching holes.
What is a jackhammer?
Jackhammers are powerful machines designed to break up hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. In fact, most people who have seen a jackhammer in use has been for street or sidewalk repair. However, there are various bits used by jackhammers that shape the job they are doing.
What size carbide core drill bits are used for a rotary hammer?
They can also use carbide core bits up to six inches in diameter – more importantly, they can equip the extra-long drill bits over a foot long.
What kind of hammer is used to drill through concrete?
Rotary hammers are specifically designed to drill through concrete, stonework, and masonry, and it’s no surprise that you have a wide variety of concrete drill bits to let you drill just about any depth or diameter you may need. Most concrete drill bits are carbide-tipped at the end for longer life and better cutting performance.
How wide can a rotary hammer cut?
Regular core wall bits can cut out holes up to 4 inches wide, while “thin wall” core wall bits made for larger SDS Max or Spline rotary hammers can cut out round holes up to 6 inches wide.
What is a SDS hammer?
SDS rotary hammers are designed for drilling into concrete and masonry, and SDS itself is an older standard designed to be used for hammering applications. The SDS in the name stands for “Steck, Dreh, Sitz” or Insert, Twist, Stay in the original German, and has taken over other standards due to the simple convenience of being able to load a drill bit with just one hand, without the use of tools. In international markets, Bosch also calls it “Special Direct System”.
How many indentations are there in a SDS Plus hammer?
SDS Plus rotary hammer bits have four indentations, two of them open ended. Just like SDS bits, these also have a shank diameter of 10mm.
What drill bit to use for concrete?
For drilling through rebar, a rebar cutter bit is the smarter choice. Slap one in your rotary hammer, switch to rotation only mode, and cut out the rebar in the way.
What is a spade bit?
Rotary hammer spade bits are useful for demolition or digging, combined with a “hammer only” setting on your tool. A clay spade shove bit can break up hard clay, and is a handy attachment to have for all around soil removal and digging. Some spade bits also come curved for trenching jobs as well.
What is a hammer drill?
What are the uses of a hammer drill and why do you need it? A power drill is a useful tool for tackling several tasks around the house. It can help you assemble furniture, hang pictures, and complete numerous household repairs. Hammer drills are a different option.
When do you need a hammer drill?
Hammer drills are needed when boring a hole is necessary in a challenging material. Concrete, stones, bricks, masonry, ceramics, etc. are some of the tough materials that this tool can penetrate, allowing you to insert plugs, bolts, screws, and other items to create specific results.
What drill bit to use to remove tile?
An SDS drill such as the rotary hammer drill with a tile removal bit is excellent for removing tiles.
What drill do I need to drill holes in masonry?
In case you need a tool that can drill holes as well as break masonry, then get a rotary or combi hammer drill. See the difference between demolition hammer vs. rotary hammer vs. combination hammer here.
What material is used to drill through metal?
Black oxide or cobalt steel is also appropriate for a hammer drill going through metal. Before you start the drilling process, it helps to punch the center (make a dimple) where you plan to work. The bits tend to wander with this material, which could cause damage to the product’s surface.
Do you need a hammer drill to drill holes in metal?
Hammer Drill on Metal. When drilling holes in metal, you don’t need to use the hammering drill. In fact, trying to drill with hammering action will cause your drill bit to skate across the metal surface. So turn the mode switch to drill only mode and use the right drill bit.
Can you use a hammer drill as a regular drill?
You can even use a hammer drill as a regular drill if it comes with a “standard drill” mode. That means you can have the versatility of an everyday tool while having the extra power available when you need it the most. Anyone who plans to work on hard surfaces in the near future should consider investing in this tool.
SDS-Plus-Shank Masonry Drill Bits for Rotary Hammers
The SDS -Plus shank has two deep slots and two shallow slots for use with SDS-Plus-drive rotary hammers.
Hex-Shank Masonry Drill Bits for Impact Drivers
The 1/4" hex shank allows these bits to be used with standard impact drivers.
Masonry Drill Bits for Anchor Installation
A built -in stop ensures repeatable drilling depths for installing drop-in anchors.
What is the purpose of a hammer drill bit?
Regardless of the hammer drill bit’s precise composition, the basic elements are the same and its ultimate role is the same: to provide a precise test hole in a concrete slab that will accommodate the RH sensor for accurate RH , or in situ, testing of the slab’s moisture conditions. Both the depth and the width of that hole play a role in providing accurate RH data to building inspectors, flooring installers, and other professionals and specialists in place to provide a lasting and serviceable concrete slab.
What is a hammer drill?
Hammer drills are designed to quickly drill through brittle materials like concrete by combining the rotary action of the drill bit with a hammer action that moves the drill bit in and out of the hole along the bit’s axis to provide a pounding action along with the drilling motion of the bit.
What is carbide in concrete drill bits?
For concrete drill bits (and others), carbide is bonded to the drill bit head to harden and strengthen it for breaking up the concrete.
Why is a rotary hammer drill not smooth?
For most rotary hammer drills, a smooth shank is insufficient because the drill bit can slip during operation and come loose from the drill itself. Common shank designs for rotary hammer drills include SDS, SDS-MAX or spline shanks that lock into the chuck so that the action of the hammer drill will not dislodge the drill bit. The land.
What is the flute on a drill bit?
The flute. The flute on a drill bit is the “trough” that runs parallel to the land. Its purpose is to move dust out of the hole as it is being drilled in order to prevent jamming. The head. The head is the lead point of the drill bit that holds the tip and provides maximum impact in breaking up the concrete.

Are All Hammer Drill Bits Created Equal?
The Anatomy of A Hammer Drill Bit
- The shank The shank is the portion of the drill bit that fits into the hammer drill collar and holds it securely as the drill provides both rotation and impact during operation. For most rotary ham...
- The land The land is essentially the raised portion of the spiral portion of the drill bit. The land holds the cutting edges of the bit on its outside diameter.
- The shank The shank is the portion of the drill bit that fits into the hammer drill collar and holds it securely as the drill provides both rotation and impact during operation. For most rotary ham...
- The land The land is essentially the raised portion of the spiral portion of the drill bit. The land holds the cutting edges of the bit on its outside diameter.
- The flute The flute on a drill bit is the “trough” that runs parallel to the land. Its purpose is to move dust out of the hole as it is being drilled in order to prevent jamming.
- The head The head is the lead point of the drill bit that holds the tip and provides maximum impact in breaking up the concrete. It will also have two or four flat angles (depending on the number o...
Its Role in The Hole
- Regardless of the hammer drill bit’s precise composition, the basic elements are the same and its ultimate role is the same: to provide a precise test hole in a concrete slab that will accommodate the RH sensor for accurate RH, or in situ, testing of the slab’s moisture conditions. Both the depth and the width of that hole play a role in providing accurate RH data to building inspectors, floorin…
Ensuring The Best RH Test Hole
- A rotary hammer drill bit is a key part of preparing a concrete slab for RH testing, and because a precise test hole will help ensure the best fit for the RH Smart Sensor, the technique is also important. 1. Test hole depth ASTM F2170 says the sensor location (and, therefore, test hole depth) must be at 40% of the slab depth when the slab is drying from one side and 20% when dr…