I'm disabled and find it challenging to use traditional hand tools like a hammer and chisel. My wife helps me out, but I often rely on power tools instead. I recently spotted a hammer drill that came with a chisel attachment, and it got me wondering—are they actually useful for more delicate tasks in the shop? Can anyone share experiences with using a hammer drill for precision jobs like chiseling out mortises or creating half lap joints?
3 Answers
Using a hammer drill with a chisel isn't the best way to achieve fine control or results. It's primarily a demolition tool, so if you want precision, it’s better to invest in a hollow chisel mortising machine. Alternatively, you might consider joints that require less detailed chiseling, like half lap joints or even pocket screws.
I’d never thought about this before, but a variable speed controller could potentially help with a hammer drill. It’s worth exploring different setups to see what might work for you.
For fine chiseling, you actually don’t need to use a hammer as long as your chisels are sharp. Most fine work can be done just by pairing and other methods. If the hammer is what’s tough for you, tools like a small trim router or even drilling with careful setups could be good alternatives.