Impact vs hammer drill

[Hoover]

Looking at Ryobis' cordless impact 18V drill and 18V hammer drill. Is there any difference?

[MilDoc]

Impact drills basically "hammer" the driver in a circular motion, helping to drive screws, etc. Using one I was able to drive 1/2" bolts into studs easily.

Hammer drill's impact is vertical, along the line of the bit. Great for concrete and other stuff.

Hope that makes sense, but I'm sure someone can explain it better.

[Tom Slick]

are you sure it was an impact drill? An impact driver is basically a heavy duty screwdriver but it does not have a chuck and does not make a very good drill.
A hammer drill, as MilDoc eluded to, is a drill that vibrates to drill though concrete and brick. It does not make a very good screwdriver.

[Hoover]

are you sure it was an impact drill? An impact driver is basically a heavy duty screwdriver but it does not have a chuck and does not make a very good drill.
A hammer drill, as MilDoc eluded to, is a drill that vibrates to drill though concrete and brick. It does not make a very good screwdriver.

I looked online, and you are correct, one is an impact driver, the larger pic, the smaller pic is the hammer drill. When I was at Home Depot, I thought that they both had chucks. My error.

Since my eyes need new glasses, is there any reason to buy a hammer drill for woodworking?

[jonmulzer]

If you already have a drill, then no. The hammer function is only for concrete and such. It hammers the bit forward to help fracture the concrete and keep pressure on the bit easier. Hammer drills go through concrete a LOT faster than normal drills.

[leehljp]

My 2 yen:

All the description in the world does not do justice to personal hands on, actual use comparisons. I have read only one person say that his impact driver use wasn't what he expected. But I have read a hundred or more people who say they can't believe how much better an impact driver - drives screws than a drill driver.

[Pappy]

With an impact driver you can strip the head of a screw faster and more completely!

I can't speak for the Ryobi impact driver's use or practicality in woodworking but I have used an air impact wrench to drive bolts in crates and deck frames.

Most hammer drills can be switched from hammer mode to standard drilling, making them good for any project where hand drilling is required. When you need to drill even one hole in concrete they justify their purchase.

[Hellrazor]

I use my 18V Rigid impact for everything and anything. Any screws, tighten bolts, etc. Using it to put something together is fun too. I put a law cart, animal feeder, etc together with it using sockets.

[leehljp]

With an impact driver you can strip the head of a screw faster and more completely!

Don,

I don't know about others, but I strip far less screw heads with an impact driver than with a drill driver. In 3 years and about 5 boxes of 1000 screws, I doubt that I have stripped more than 3 or 4. What amazes me is that I can drive a screw all the way through a 2x4 (with a long shank) and not strip the head - repeatedly. But with a drill/driver I can expect about 3% - 5% head stripped.

[messmaker]

I use my 18V Rigid impact for everything and anything. Any screws, tighten bolts, etc. Using it to put something together is fun too. I put a law cart, animal feeder, etc together with it using sockets.

Same here. It may be my favorite tool.