Cordless drill, impact drill or rotary hammer: which do you need?

Short answer: screwing and drilling in wood, metal and plasterboard is work for a cordless drill driver. For an occasional hole in brick, an impact drill fits. For concrete and regular holes in hard stone, you need a rotary hammer. The three tools look alike, but they work differently and you feel that in the result.

👷 Calling in a professional is never unnecessary. If many holes must go into concrete, if there are pipes in the wall or if you doubt the structure, leave the work to a professional. Work on electrics and gas always belongs to a certified installer.

The difference in brief

• Cordless drill driver: a cordless drill driver is light, accurate and mainly made for screwing and drilling in wood, metal and plasterboard. Two gears help: low for screwing, high for drilling.
• Impact drill: a hammer drill or a stronger 1050 watt hammer drill taps while it turns. That helps in brick and soft stone, but hard concrete remains heavy work.
• Rotary hammer: a cordless rotary hammer or a corded model hits with much more force. With a SDS-plus concrete drill bit bit you work in concrete and hard stone without forcing the tool. Read more about drilling hard materials in our blog on diamond drilling in tile and concrete.

What should you look at?

Look at the material first and only then at the figures. Torque in newton metres says how powerfully the tool screws. Battery capacity in ampere hours mainly says how long you can work, not how strong the tool is. If you already own tools on the same battery platform, working is easier; read about that in our blog on the Stalco 20V battery system. A second battery prevents waiting during a long job.

What else do you need?

• A multifunction wall detector to find pipes and cables in the wall before you drill.
• A 60 cm spirit level and a tape measure with auto-lock to mark holes level and to size.
• The right universal expansion plug and screws for wood and chipboard for the surface and the load.
• A screwdriver set and a hex key set for assembly work the machine cannot reach.

Choose in three steps

1. Decide the material: wood and plasterboard need screwing power, brick needs an impact function, concrete needs a rotary hammer.
2. Decide how often you drill: one hole is different from renovating a whole bathroom or kitchen.
3. Check bit and fitting: ordinary bits belong in a keyless chuck, SDS bits belong in a rotary hammer. Do not mix them up.

Working safely

Wear safety goggles against dust and splinters, earmuffs for long drilling or hammering and FFP2 dust mask for stone and concrete. work gloves with nitrile coating give grip, but do not wear loose gloves around rotating tools if they can catch. Clamp the workpiece, hold the tool with two hands and remove the battery or plug when changing a bit. Read more tool developments in our blog on new tool trends in construction.

Can an impact drill drill into concrete?

Sometimes a small hole, but it is slow and the bit quickly becomes blunt. For concrete, a rotary hammer is the right tool.

Is more voltage always better?

No. Higher voltage often gives more power, but for light screwing a compact tool is nicer. Choose by job, torque and how long you work at a time.

Read also: The Stalco 20V battery system · Diamond drilling in tile and concrete · New tool trends in construction

Where can you find everything for this job?

At Saniso, the online store for DIYers and professionals, you will find tools, materials and personal protective equipment for your job.

• Browse our construction tools and our workwear and safety.
• Create a customer account and order easily.
• Working on a bigger project or want to hand over the job? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.

In doubt about the approach? Feel free to call in a professional.

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