Can A Hammer Drill Be Used As A Chisel: Step-by-Step Guide

Hammer drills are the most heavy-duty power tools, and a hammer drill is essential for DIY projects. The hammer drill is handy when drilling holes into heavy and hard materials. However, can a hammer drill be used as a chisel? A hammer drill can be a good option to chisel different materials like tiles, plaster, etc. 

If you want to use the hammer drill you own as a chisel, you must ensure it is either an SDS drill, rotary drill, or electric demolition hammer. Not all the models are perfect to use as chisels. Let’s see whether a hammer can be used as a chisel for specific functions.  

What Purpose A Chisel Used For?

What Purpose A Chisel Used For

Chisel is also a bit like the hammer drill bits. But, unlike hammer drill bits, it comes with a flat appearance. Also, the functionality of a chisel is different compared to the usual hammer drill bits. You can use a hammer drill bit for the drilling purpose. 

But the chisel is ready to offer both drillings and surface material removal. There are 5 top purposes for which you can use a chisel. Here there are:

  1. Busting up concrete
  2. Drilling holes
  3. Breaking up hard soil
  4. Tiles removing
  5. Scaling 

These 5 purposes are the most common purposes why people like using the chisel.  

When Do You Need A Hammer Drill?

The primary purpose of a rotary hammer drill is to drill holes in different hard materials. However, you can use a hammer drill for many other purposes, for example, fixing damp walls. 

You’ll need this tool for remodeling or building your home when doing any construction projects. Because at that time, you must drill into your home ceiling and walls so often. A hammer drill comes in handy for the following purposes also:

  • Removing tile adhesive
  • Fixing different objects on walls
  • Stretch ceiling installation, etc

Importance of Rotary Hammer Drill

Importance of Rotary Hammer Drill

Most importantly, users like using the rotary hammer because of its multi-tasking functionality. You can switch a rotary hammer into the rotation and hammer modes, and this feature will allow you to use a rotary hammer for chiseling work. It’s easy to get the chisel attachment into a rotary hammer drill

You also can choose a pneumatic hammer drill for your chiseling slots. It requires when you need to insert the electricity wires/ cables and the water pipes inside the walls. Besides, to drill for the plug socket holes, you can do your chiseling work with a pneumatic hammer. 

Can A Hammer Drill Be Used As A Chisel?

Although some prefer using any hammer drill as the chisel, getting the specific models from SDS, rotary, or electric hammer is better. Any of these three models will get you good results. 

Also, you should focus on the hammer size when using it as a chisel. The small hammer will have some limitations regarding its insufficient power and performance. So, such hammers for commercial projects or hard materials won’t suit.  In this case, the hammer size should be in your consideration. 

It’s better if you can choose a hammer with a switch. It will allow you to turn off the rotation. And it will be easier to insert your chisel into the hammer drill SDS socket. So, your remaining hammer drill will eventually convert into an electric chisel. 

How Can You Use Your Chisel Into A hammer drill

How Can You Use Your Chisel Into A hammer drill

You can easily use a chisel in your hammer drill by following simple steps. But before using it in a hammer drill, you must ensure the chisel is the right size and type.

Step-1

Start in tiny parts, meaning don’t apply it in a wide area initially, especially when laying the pipe/ cables on your wall. 

Step-2

Attach your chisel bit to your hammer drill. Place it at a 45° angle to the material’s edge. 

If you find there any debris on the cut surface, remove them. It will help you to decrease the friction and faster the working process. Also, the working process will be smoother.  

Step-3

Now switch your hammer drill into the right mode of the chisel. Remember to keep the hammer switch off when you turn around its handle and raise the switch. It will prevent unexpected situations. And you’re done.

Hammer Drill Vs. Chisel in Short

A hammer drill is a powered motor and performs through different sizes of bits that you can fit into the drill.  To create the holes, the bits of hammer drill bits begin to rotate and hit on your applied materials. So, a hammer drill is handy when you need to drive nails, create holes, and install screws in your required materials.  

On the other hand, a chisel comes with a bit, though. It won’t deliver the same functions. Chisel is ready to help you machine the materials. 

Safety Measures

Since the hammer drill isn’t the exact tool for chiseling, you must be careful and maintain some safety precautions during the operation. 

  • Avoid using a hammer drill in drive holes containing the hard materials
  • Try wearing safety gloves and eye protection while chiseling with hammer drill bits
  • Avoid using your hammer drill on the extremely sharp edges. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many types of chisel are there?

There are several types of chisel available. Among all of them, the flat chisel is mostly used. Besides, there are spade chisels, tile chisels, pointed chisels, and channel chisels available that you can use according to your necessity.  

Who uses a chisel the most?

Since chiseling is related to shaping, curving, and cutting, so, woodworkers use chisels the most.  It’s a good option for carpentry work. 

To Wrap Up

Users often wonder, “can a hammer drill be used as a chisel?” Because the fundamental function of a hammer drill is to drill through bricks, concrete, stones, and other hard materials. And hammer drill is a widely used drilling machine in all types of small to large constructional projects. 

However, suppose you’ve not had 3 models like SDS, rotary, or electric hammer drill. You can still use your remaining hammer drill with its extremely ordinary functions and features. 

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Sam Morgan is a professional interior designer and part-time content writer of Drill Villa. He has done hundreds of major projects and sharing his experience with you. He is a tools lover like drill, drill press, drivers, wrench etc. He used and tested thousands of tools and knows which perform better.

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