While they both look nearly identical to a standard drill, they serve completely different purposes.
What Is a Hammer Drill?
What Is an Impact Driver?
The Spruce / Kelsey Hansen
Tip
When shopping for impact drivers, consider buying a drill/driver set instead to save money.
However, the key differences between the two tools make each tool better suited for different jobs.
Hammer drills and impact drivers are intended for use with specifictypes of drill bits.
The Spruce / Kelsey Hansen
Always check for bit compatibility to get the most out of your hammer drill or impact driver.
The power deliverance of each tool is intended for specific purposes.
An impact driver shouldn’t be used to drill into concrete.
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Masonry bits are designed to work with the hammering motion of a hammer drill.
Additionally, masonry bits don’t have compatible shanks for with impact driver’s quick-change chuck.
The Spruce / Kelsey Hansen
