Cordless rotary hammers: types, tips for choosing and using

Today, the cordless rotary hammer has become an indispensable tool in every home. Thanks to him, in a matter of minutes, you can make holes both in concrete and in other floors. The construction market is represented by various models of this device, but for home use it is best to choose the smallest device with dust extraction.

The battery-powered rotary hammer is a handy electric tool for punching holes. It is portable and suitable for work where there is no electricity. Due to its small size and limited charge, this tool is not recommended for continuous work on hard surfaces. The main advantages of such a perforator include:

• compact body;
• the ability to use in various places, regardless of the presence of an electrical network;
• little weight;
• high power;
• the presence of a reverse and a speed controller;
• holes up to 10 mm in diameter can be drilled, even in concrete.

As for the disadvantages, the device is often inconvenient due to the fact that its battery capacity is limited and requires a long time to charge. In addition, when dropped and hit, the battery quickly fails, and it is problematic to buy a spare.

Cordless rotary hammers are available in several types, which differ among themselves by the design feature, class and consumer properties. Depending on this, they are divided into professional, household and semi-professional. Amateur models are characterized by an affordable cost, a lighter and more simplified design. They can be operated for four hours, taking breaks every half hour to cool the striking parts and the engine. Semi-professional have higher quality and are more hardy in work; professional ones have a complex design, a powerful engine and can function without a power grid for a long time.

Using a hammer drill on a battery, you can perform the following types of work:

• make holes in both natural and artificial stone, any kind of brick and concrete floors;
• make holes in walls from any material and slabs when installing communication systems;
• pry on and remove ceramic, floor tiles and decorative trim from the walls;
• tear down plasterboard, concrete and brick floors;
• stir building mixtures.

Before purchasing a cordless hammer drill, it is important to take into account the conditions of its operation, as well as the presence of LED backlighting, a dust extraction system and the possibility of setting the operating mode. Since the construction market is represented by a chic assortment of these devices, it is difficult to make the right choice in favor of one type or another. Therefore, when making such an important purchase, you need to pay attention to the following instrument parameters:

• size and weight;
• battery capacity;
• engine power;
• type of striking mechanism.

Battery-powered rock drills are most often designed for work in summer cottages and in apartments.therefore they are equipped with 220 volt motors. There are also devices on sale with a motor power from 550 to 2500 W, they have a fairly high level of performance and allow you to drill large holes.Therefore, it is necessary to determine in advance what kind of load the tool will be subjected to. If you plan to make small holes with a diameter of up to 14 mm, then you can give preference to the simplest models with a power of up to 500 watts. To make through holes 600 mm thick, you need to purchase a device with an engine power of 1000 watts.

The speed of rotation of the nozzles also plays a huge role; in most models of cordless rock drills, it ranges from 200 to 2300 rpm. In household appliances, it is usually standard and is set by the manufacturer. In professional devices, the rotation speed is adjusted automatically, depending on the complexity of the work. In addition, the performance of a hammer drill is also determined by the energy and frequency of impacts. For everyday tasks, a device with an impact force of 1.2 to 3 J.

When choosing a device, special attention should be paid to the location of the engine. It can be located in the vertical and horizontal plane of the case. The first type is usually typical for powerful models, while the second is well suited for household use, since it is small and much more convenient to work with. Battery-powered rock drills have different operating modes, so before purchasing it is important to clarify which ones are present in a particular model. For household work, it is necessary to give preference to a tool with modes such as drilling, hammer drilling and chiselling.

The design of the device includes a cartridge on which the attachments are attached. Therefore, if you have to additionally purchase crowns, chisels and drills, you will need to know the type of chuck. Products with minimum and standard power usually contain SDS and SDS-plus cartridges. If you plan to work with a drill, then it is necessary to choose SDS-max cartridges. Their tail does not exceed 18 mm in diameter.

In addition, when purchasing a tool, you need to inquire about its additional functions. They will determine not only the increase in productivity, but also the safety of operation. For domestic use, it is recommended to choose models in which the following options are present.

• Reverse. It allows you to quickly remove the stuck drill from the holes.
• Protective clutch. Automatically locks the rotation of the nozzle when it is jammed.
• Smooth start. Reduces potential network hops.
• Speed ​​controller. It independently changes the rotation speed depending on the density and type of the processed surface.
• Ruler-stop. Allows you to measure the depth of drilled holes.
• Vibration protection. Makes work comfortable as it protects hands from vibrations.
• Case (box) for easy carrying of the tool. It will be possible to store not only the rotary hammer itself, but also lubricants, brushes for the engine, replaceable nozzles and cartridges.
• Dust removal system. Since dust is generated during construction work, many manufacturers complete the battery device with a special bag in which concrete chips and dust collect during drilling. After drilling is complete, the dust container is cleaned.

Today, cordless rock drills are represented by various brands. Premium products are produced by manufacturers such as AEG, Hilti, Bosch, Makita and DeWALT. Mid-range tools are affordable and are great for household work. They are produced by both domestic manufacturers (Interskol) and foreign (Hammer, Metabo). As for the budget options, these are punchers, which are produced under such brands as Soyuz, Zubr, Skill, Whirlwind.

Professional models have both pros and cons. For example, Hilti and AEG rotary hammers are equipped with high-quality parts and additional functions. Their independent power supply lasts an average of three hours of operation, the battery charges quickly, in just 30 minutes.The disadvantage of the tools is their large weight and noise during operation. Apart from the fact that the hands get too tired from the weight of the device, these models have no other disadvantages.

Rotary hammers Makita, Hitachi and Bosch have proven themselves with high performance. These machines are equipped with three operating modes and are designed for chiseling, conventional drilling and hammering. They are not overly powerful, but they do come with additional features that allow for adjustment and thus simplify work. So, in these tools there is a release clutch and an inverse run. In addition, the product range includes an SDS cartridge that allows quick and safe bit changes.

As for the Hammer, DeWALT and Metabo models, they can be operated in different modes. This is due to the unique characteristics and wide functionality of the tools. In addition to the powerful motor, the devices are equipped with a reverse stroke, LED illumination and a convenient nozzle change system. The motor of the rock drills is brushless, so their service life is long. In these models, manufacturers have also improved the control system, adding a two-position toggle switch to the tool.

The cordless hammer drill is very popular not only among experienced craftsmen, but also among the owners of the house, who sooner or later have to make repairs. This tool is easy to use and has many advantages. In order for it to serve the maximum period, and the work was safe, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules in operation.

• A new attachment can be fastened only when the device is off.
• After drilling in hard material, do not handle the drill with bare hands as it gets hot. In the event that it is necessary to urgently replace the nozzle, wrap your hand with a cloth soaked in water.
• All nozzles, regardless of their type, must be treated with a special lubricant before screwing in. The fixing of the drills is made easier by turning them on the chuck or pulling the locking end back.

• You can start work only when the device is checked. If malfunctions or a suspicious sound are detected, it must be turned off immediately and diagnostics performed.
• When drilling a particular surface, a certain mode and number of revolutions should be selected.
• In the event that the model is not equipped with a dust collector, then after work, the perforator must be thoroughly cleaned of dust.
• Before starting work, the foreman should take care of personal safety and wear protective equipment such as gloves, heavy overalls, ear plugs and goggles. Long hair should be hidden under a hat; in addition, there should be no jewelry on the hands. They can get caught in the rotating attachment and cause injury.
• The attachments must be used strictly according to the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.

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