What is the difference between a hammer drill, an impact drill and a drill driver? Do I need an impact driver if I own a hammer drill? To make sure that you have an accurate picture of what each tool does and what the main differences between hammer drill vs impact drill vs drill driver, I am going to give you all that information and more in this article.

Here are the Main difference between power drill, impact drill, electric hammer:

  • Working voltage
  • Material that can be drilled
  • Exercise mode
  • Mechanical structure
  • Motor speed



1.Working Voltage


The higher the voltage, the greater the power. Also, the higher torque, the higher the working voltage. Following is a normal working voltage and torque for different drill types.

Electric drill type

Voltage
Torque N / M
Electric screwdriver 
3. 6V-7. 2V
1N-8N
Lithium Battery Drill
12V
30N
Lithium Battery Drill
18V- 20V
50N-70N
Impact Drill
12V
60N
Impact Drill
18V- 20V
80N- 120N
Hammer Drill
18V- 20V or plug-in 
No Torque



2.Material that can be drilled


Generally, the higher operating voltage, the higher torque, the higher the hardness of the material that can be processed, the details are as follows:

Electric drill type
Voltage
Torque N / M
Suitable
Not suitable
Electric screwdriver
3. 6V-7. 2V
1N-8N
M6 under wood plate screws
Drilling
Lithium battery drill
12V
30N
Wood plate, aluminum alloy discusses and drilling (10 or less holes)
Big aperture drilling, thick diameter material drilling, high hardness material processing
Lithium battery drill
18V-20V
50N-70N
Wood plate, aluminum alloy, pig iron, kitchen bathroom wall (15 below)
Concrete processing, large aperture processing
Impact drill
12V
60N
Wood plate, aluminum alloy, pig iron, kitchen bathroom wall (15 below)
Concrete processing, large aperture processing
Impact drill
18V-20V
80N-120N
General materials can be, even deep hole processing (30M or more), concrete wall processing
It is not necessary to screw the screw at this level.
Electric hammer
18V-20V or plug in
Torque
Any material can
Precious working



3.Exercise Mode


Power Drill

Drilling


The motion mode of the electric drill is inherently drilling, rotating through the drill bit, and the axial vertically downward feed is achieved to remove the remaining amount openings. The blade of the drill bit screws the place to be processed out of the hole.


Impact drill

Drilling / impact


The motion model of the impact drill adds the impact function above the motor diamond, relying on the high-frequency low joules impact with the original drilling mode, reaching the single impact and drilling to remove more processing. Which increased work efficiency.


Hammer Drill

Shock / hammer


There is only impact and hammering function, but without rotation function, relying on high-power power and high frequency high-pan hammering to quickly remove the processing margin, the processing method is not limited to drilling processing, and It is a simpler and rude demolition operation.



4.Mechanical Structure


Power Drill vs Impact Drill mechanical structure

Gear mesh


The mechanical structure of the electric drill and impact drill has a similar portion, which is also a rotation and impact of the machine head by the motor driven gear dislocation, and the engagement conduction of the gear (impact drill is impact gear).


Hammer Drill mechanical structure

Cylinder piston transmission

Different from the nature of the electric drill impact drilling, the impact mode of the electric hammer is realized by the cylinder piston mode, and the pressure-transformed compressed gas passed through the piston cycle, and the pressure conversion is to impact the electric hammer head to achieve the effect of impact.


5.Motor Speed


Power drill and impact drill


The energy conversion efficiency of the gear meshing is low.

There is a gap between the gear and the gear, regardless of the kinetic energy in the conduction process, so even if the high-power impact drill, the processing concrete will still be efficient, and we often say that this machine has no strength. Its gear mesh is not good, or it is inadvertent motor power.


Electric hammer


The energy conversion efficiency of the piston cylinder is high.

The impact mode of the electric hammer is mainly achieved by the piston cylinder, the gas resistance and viscosity are small, and the pressure loss in the flow is small, and the attenuation of kinetic energy is relatively small. The high power of the electric hammer can play the power of the impact drill.


Summary


I hope this article has given you all the information that you need to determine whether a power drill, hammer drill or impact drill is right for you.

When to use a Drill

  • Driving screws into wood, drywall, and other soft material
  • Tightening/loosening bolts that don’t require an extreme amount of torque
  • Drilling holes in wood, drywall, and other soft materials


When to use Impact Drivers

    • Driving screws into wood or metal (you can use it for drywall if you’ve got a lower speed/torque option)
    • Driving large diameter screws or lag bolts
    • Tightening/loosening bolts, including those that should be very tight or have been stuck
    • Drilling holes in wood, drywall or metal using new impact driver designed drill bits

    When to use a Hammer Drill

      • Drilling holes in concrete, masonry, or stone (in hammer drill mode)
      • Driving screws into wood, drywall, and other soft material (in drill only mode)
        • Tightening/loosening bolts (in drill only mode)
        • Drilling holes in wood, drywall, and other soft materials (in drill only mode)


        As always, if you have more questions, I encourage you to leave us a message here or ask an expert at your local hardware store, as they should be able to point you in the right direction.