Chisel bits deliver the most satisfactory results when dealing with a construction job requiring precision.
Whether removing old tiles from walls or breaking through the cable lines, these modern bits deserve praise.
But should you use these bits with hammer drills or impact drivers? Or, how does a hammer drill chisel bit work?
There are many myths regarding chisel bits and different drills, enough to confuse a new DIY enthusiast.
So, I packed this post with all the essential insights to bust all the myths and give you proper assistance to start grinding with these tools. Let’s begin with the first one.
Do All Hammer Drills Have the Chiseling Function?
Chiseling works with hammering impact mechanism, meaning a back-and-forth immediate impact action. The impact driver is the mechanism that helps a drill machine make the chisel bit functional.
Most of the hammer drills, especially the rotary hammer chisel drills, come with two impact settings – “Hammer” and “Hammer + Drill.”
There is also a separate section in these machines, consisting of 2 triggering modes, hammer and drill.
You can do chiseling if keeping the impact mode and the other setting to Hammer only. The Hammer + Drill mode isn’t adequate for this purpose.
If you’ve got the right chisel bits and settings, you can use all hammer drills for pounding any stonework.
How Does a Hammer Drill Chisel Bit Work?
A chisel bit is a specific hammer drill bit with a sharp point on one end. The sharp point is used to cut through the material.
It works by breaking off material with its edge. Chisel bits are installed onto the head of a hammer drill (the usual place where you insert other bits) and used to make small adjustments to the chiseling depth.
If looking at the deep engineering behind hammer drills, it’s not the chisel bit that works. It’s the piston mechanism that drives a strong vibration towards the chisel bit to make it functional.
Modern chisel bits come with different head points. Such as –
- Flat Head Chisel Bit
- Spade Head Chisel Bit
- Channel Chisel Bit
- Pointed Chisel Bit
- Tile Chisel Bit
How to Attach and Use a Chisel Bit in a Hammer Drill?
Like regular drill bits, if you don’t insert the chisel bit correctly while shifting it to the right mode, it won’t give you the desired result. Follow the below steps to install the bits in your hammer drill.
- Insert the bit straight to the bit hole located on your hammer drill’s head.
- There are 3 modes on the side selector – neutral, hammer only, and hammer + drill. Switch it to neutral so you can rotate the bit after putting it in.
- Rotate the bit to keep the bit straight.
- Then shift the selector knob to “Hammer only,” it should be at the right.
- You’ll find another setting on the back body of the drill with the same setting names except the neutral. Shit the knob to “Hammer” here as well.
- Turn the power button on if you’re using a cordless hammer drill. In terms of corded ones, connect the plug to an electric socket and toggle the power switch.
- While chiseling, use both your hands to control the machine. Hold your left hand on the lower handle of the hammer and your right hand on the back handlebar.
- Always keep the drill machine’s position at a 45-degree angle while putting your hand pressure to chisel the masonry.
What Kind of Safety Measurements Should Be Taken While Chiseling?
Before starting any drill jobs, you should take some precautions to avoid accidents. These are –
Knee Pads: Using this protects your knees from incoming particles
Ear Protection: If you’re noise sensitive, make sure to add this to the safety measures.
N95 Mask: Gives you safeguard from dust and debris during chiseling.
Workshop Goggle or Face Protector: Get any of these to protect your eyes or whole face from flying pieces of stones/tiles resulting from the job.
Hand Gloves: Hammer drills generate an average of 14.5m/s2 vibration with 1000 rpm speed. That much pressure is enough to cause hand fatigue. Use protective gloves to save yourself from this stress.
What Are the Application Areas of Chisel with a Hammer Drill?
Chisel bits can tackle a vast area of applications. However, every chisel bit type is built for a specific task. Check out the below chart to get an idea.
| Bit Types | Application Area |
| Flat Head Chisel Bit | These allow you to do light jobs like breaking channel lines on the wall. |
| Spade Head Chisel Bit | For removing light layers from walls or rough surfaces, spade bits are quite effective. In general, these are used for removing cement, plasters, or similar adhesive materials. |
| Channel Chisel Bit | Use this bit to create lines for pipes and cables. |
| Pointed Chisel Bit | As the name suggests, these have pointed heads and somewhat look the same as regular drill bits. They provide you with the maximum striking power, making them ideal for making a hole on both smooth and uneven surfaces. |
| Tile Chisel Bit | These are more like the spade bits but have a wider tip. You can remove old tiles from the wall and floor with these bits. |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you chisel with an SDS drill?
Yes, you can chisel with SDS drills. There are different types of chisel bits to use with an SDS drill. With these bits, you can shape concretes, masonry, bricks, etc. Make sure to put in the correct bit.
2. Can you put a chisel on an impact drill?
No, you can’t chisel with an impact driver drill. Chiseling requires a back-and-forth force to shape or break through hard materials.
Impact drivers use a rotational impact mechanism. Every time the insider anvil rotates, it slams against it to move the fasteners forward. The pressure is inconsistent compared to hammer drills, which makes it inadequate for chiseling.
Wrapping Up
That was all about how does a hammer drill chisel bit work. In conclusion, the hammer drill chisel bit works by using the back-and-forth motion to create a hole on the surface or remove a part of it.
Depending on the type of bits, you can tackle various workflow, from removing tiles to creating or breaking channels.