Drill bits for impact drivers and hammer drills: What's the difference?

Modern craftspeople and DIY enthusiasts are blessed with a large abundance of electrical devices that take a lot of work off their hands. Can you imagine how much time, effort and nerves your last project in 1900 would have cost you? You probably wouldn't have got very far. But like everything, the (over)supply of tools and equipment also has its downsides. It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of things, and you constantly find yourself wondering whether there might be something out there that is even better suited to the task at hand than the equipment you already have.

The search is made even more difficult by the fact that tool and equipment designations are not always used correctly, and with many product names you have no precise idea of how the devices differ from each other. At least we can help with this problem and shed some light on the matter! However, you'll have to make the decision yourself as to whether a new purchase is really necessary or whether you already have enough tools lying around in your garage…

Today we're focusing on devices with impact function and their associated tools. What are the differences, which version suits your requirements and what do you need to pay attention to when using them? Read this blog post for this and other useful information.

Impact drill, cordless screwdriver, cordless impact driver – How to tell the devices apart

Even the difference between a cordless screwdriver and a cordless drill or drill driver is not always immediately obvious, because here too terms are often used synonymously that actually aren't. A screwdriver has a bit holder and can actually only drive screws, whilst a cordless drill can also drill. However, both devices have in common that they are operated by hand.

Exactly the same principle applies to devices with impact: the impact driver is used to drive and remove screws, whereas the main area of use for the impact drill is creating holes. The direction of the impact also differs. In the impact drill it runs axially, i.e. in the same direction as the drilling. In the impact driver, on the other hand, it is a horizontal rotating motion, much like the one you create with your wrist when manually driving in screws by hand.

The impact driver is classically used when screws require a lot of force or when covering a long distance, and the drill feed could use some support. If you want to drive many long screws into wood, you can save considerable time with these tools. In addition, the impact driver is also popular in the automotive sector, for example to easily loosen stuck wheel bolts and wheel nuts when changing tyres.

These are the right tools for devices with impact function

The impact doesn't just add an extra dimension to the rotational or drilling movement; it also generates enormous forces acting on the tool. Accordingly, products have become established in this field that are specially suited in their geometry and processing for this demanding task. Investing in specialised tools is always a good idea if it's not just a one-off job, since the higher purchase price is usually offset by long tool life times and optimal drilling results.

Bits for use in impact drivers

In principle, you can use the conventional bits from your cordless screwdriver in the bit holder of the impact driver. A bit only needs to have a 1/4-inch hex shank to fit into the holder of most impact drivers. However, if the device is used frequently or a large project is coming up, you should definitely invest in specialised bits. Conventional products are often too brittle and can break under the extreme torques of an impact driver. Impact driver bits are designed to easily withstand the sudden violent impulses generated by the impact function. They are usually made from particularly resistant steel alloys and feature a region between the head and shaft that is narrower and serves as a kind of buffer to absorb the force of the rotational movement.

Drill bits for use in hammer drills

When using a hammer drill or hammer drill bit, you need to pay close attention to which tools you can use. There are two categories: devices with standard chuck for a cylindrical shank and devices with SDS Plus chuck. In both cases, the drill bits must be suitable for the material you are drilling into in order to achieve good results. Devices with hammer function are primarily combined with concrete and stone drill bits, for example to drill into walls. You can identify these tools by their special cutting head with carbide wedge at the drill tip. This shatters the material, whilst the flute along the shaft ensures chip evacuation.

SDS Plus hammer drill bits can only be used with an impact drill or a hammer drill featuring an SDS Plus chuck. This system is widely used and optimally designed for the high demands that impact drilling entails. With this system, drill bits can be changed quickly and easily, with locking and torque transmission operating independently of one another. This creates a flexible connection that can effectively cushion the movements caused by the impact function.

You will also find SDS-plus hammer drill bits and masonry and concrete drill bits with cylindrical shanks in the BAER online shop. In addition, we stock a wide range of twist drills, taps and many other tools and accessories for thread cutting and thread repair. Browse our extensive range and see for yourself. If you have any questions or need further information or detailed advice, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or via our contact form.