How to choose a jackhammer: 6 tips for the user

2Do you need a strong and productive tool for breaking walls, floors and even asphalt? There is one called a jackhammer. Neither monolithic concrete, nor frozen impenetrable soils, nor brickwork, nor even the strongest stone can withstand it. No obstacles on the way! With such a device, you can, in a matter of moments, remove old tiles from the wall, make a niche, remove worn-out road surfaces, and much more.

It’s a useful thing, but not everyone knows how to choose it correctly and which jackhammer is better. The secrets of a successful purchase are revealed by professionals. And for a “snack” - a rating of 6 top fenders of various types.

What does the breaker mechanism look like and work?

The impact force here is generated by a special mechanism located under the housing cover. It is this that creates the necessary shock waves, which pass to the chipper cutter and further to the material, destroying it. It all works like an earthquake. The bump stop is quite heavy, noisy and vibrates a lot during the process. True, manufacturers try to minimize the effect of vibration, but still, with frequent and intensive use of the hammer, it negatively affects human health.

Concrete breakers are also suitable for home use, but more often you will see them at large-scale construction sites or road works. If there is a need to purchase such a tool, you need to know how to choose a jackhammer: take an electric or pneumatic one, is the design important, what other performance characteristics should be taken into account? A wise choice will eliminate inconvenience during the work process and make the builder’s life much easier.

Advantages of pneumatic units

The reliability and quality of pneumatic concrete breakers and powerful demolition hammers is due to the fact that their components are manufactured using special high-precision equipment. Thanks to this, even strong monolithic structures crumble under the force of their impact. For the mechanism to work without problems, you need a lubricant recommended by the manufacturer. For example, Makita offers lubricant included with the tool.

Lubricant from the manufacturer Makita

The advantage of a pneumatic tool is that it provides a wide range of capabilities:

long-term operation without overheating of the tool;
maintaining operator health due to low vibration levels;
operation in conditions of increased complexity due to the absence of electronic boards and small parts in the design;
connecting several compressors to the tool for economical operation.

So, the main advantages of pneumatic tools, of course, are their resistance to overloads, reliability, durability of use and ability to work in extreme conditions. By purchasing a concrete breaker or a powerful pneumatic jackhammer, you become the owner of a practical, efficient and reliable assistant.

Forward behind the bump stop: nuances, tips

All fenders are divided into 2 types:

1. Pneumatic. Most often used in complex construction and installation operations, in mines. An outlet is not required to carry out the work. The bumper calmly performs its functions at high humidity and is not afraid of fire and explosions. The tool is intended purely for industrial professional use, not at home. The exception is small hammer drills that perform the functions of a bumper. Example - TOPEX 74L331. For uninterrupted operation, a compressor station is needed.

May be of interest: TOP 10 best manufacturers of rotary hammers

2. Electric. In this type of bumper you feel the least amount of vibration and you don’t need any special skills to use it. Works from a socket. The most popular on the market. The segment includes both household models and professional-class devices. There is also a minus: it is not suitable for objects with high levels of humidity.

There are also gasoline ones, but they are bought less often. You need to focus on the power indicator (from an outlet or without it) depending on the category of work being performed. Thus, an electric chipper is universal; it can crush concrete in two planes; however, it is worth considering the placement of the motor.

For horizontal tasks you need a tool with a vertical motor, and vice versa. Hammers with a horizontal motor are the most compact, their weight is up to 10 kg. These household mechanisms cannot cope with complex and large-scale construction work. For roads and large construction sites, only a vertical concrete breaker is chosen.

Article on the topic: 2 types of jackhammer: features of pneumatic and electric chippers

The list of essential parameters required when choosing the best jackhammer (electric or other type) also includes:

Characteristic	What does it show	Optimal parameters
Power	How strong and resilient a particular model is.	Can be divided into 3 types:
		— 500-800 W. The simplest tool for household use.
		— 900-1300 W. here the striking force is larger. Breaks monolithic walls made of concrete and brick.
		— More than 1300 W. Designed for road work, breaking frozen soil.
Weight	Determines the nature of the work performed and ease of use.	A 5-6 kg tool - for everyday use, ideal when working on the ceiling. Further 5-10 kg - it can break through concrete and make an opening in the wall. 10-30 kg – bulky vertical machines for industry, mines.
Impact force	It is measured in joules. Directly affects the speed of completing the task.	The simplest hammers produce up to 15 J. The average is 30-35 J, mechanisms from the professional field - 50-70 J.
Number of beats per unit of time (taken 60 seconds)	Depends on the power and force of the blow. The weaker the hammer, the faster the frequency.	Heavy fenders hit 1000-1100 blows per minute, for light ones this figure is 3 times more.
Cartridge	The time spent replacing the nozzle depends on it.	It can be quick-clamping - does not require the use of keys, and has built-in dust protection. SDS – instant replacement of the nozzle (SDS+ – used in light demolition hammers, SDS-max – for heavy ones). If the SDS-HEX cartridge is installed on the bumper, then you can insert any attachment except a drill.

Attachments for the breaker mechanism

The device allows you to change the nozzle for specific jobs. As a rule, nozzles are included in the kit, but you can purchase them separately. Most popular tips:

Pike crowbar. It is with this pointed part that it is most common to see a bump stop. This attachment is used for dismantling concrete, brick, stone, and destroying asphalt. It can also be used in non-standard situations, for example, to loosen the soil for subsequent processing.
Spatula. Suitable for removing tiles from walls or floors, and cleaning the surface of old plaster. The nozzle really resembles a small shovel; at the end it has a significant extension with a straight edge. The edge is sharpened and very sharp.
Chisel. This building element is needed to cut reinforcement, destroy frozen ground, or make a hole or niche in the wall. It is also used when working with metal structures during their dismantling.

The hammer also comes with a tamper attachment. Its mission is clear from the name - to compact the soil (you can also use stones), seal cracks in hard-to-reach places, and more.

3 best electric jackhammers

When going to the store for impact tools, it is useful to know which jackhammer is best to choose. The beginning will be made by the top electrical technology:

Makita HM1203C. Medium power bumper. The chuck allows you to install the chisel in 12 positions, adjusting the angle of work. There are 5 beat frequency modes, you can choose a suitable variation within the range of 950-1900 beats/minute. The model is equipped with motor overload protection, soft start and a stabilization system to maintain the operating speed during prolonged use.
Bosch GSH 16-30. The tool of real professionals, daily production – up to 13 tons of removed material. It has a vibration damping system, which not only relieves stress from your hands, but also extends the life of the bump stop. The device body is made of metal parts, durable, and is not afraid of falls. The tool will remain unharmed even if a wall falls on it.
Sparky K 615CE HD. This bump stop is equipped with electronics to record impact force under any load. Comfort of work is ensured by an anti-vibration system, soft start, and the ability to independently adjust the impact force. To protect against overloads, there is an LED on the case that signals overheating and possible malfunctions.

Noteworthy power-supplied fenders are also produced by Dnipro-M, Kawasaki, Stanley, Hilti, and Zenit.

Note for builders: Unconventional use of a drill - 4 interesting life hacks

Choosing an Electric Jackhammer

Electric bumper

A jackhammer that operates on electricity is one of the most expensive tools of this type. When it comes to these instruments, there is no strictly regulated division into professional and amateur equipment. Next, we will tell you how to choose an electric jackhammer and what you should pay attention to.

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Jackhammer from the tool company Enkor

Jackhammer Anchor

This company produces a huge amount of construction equipment, so the range of tools is amazing. Manufacturers of jackhammers have made sure that each client can choose the device that he needs. The models are united by two common features - a hexagonal metal cartridge without reinforcement and an electro-pneumatic operating mechanism.

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Jackhammer Makita (Makita)

Makita jackhammer

Makita is a Japanese manufacturer that produces semi-professional and professional construction equipment. The company has been supplying its products to the market for more than a hundred years, so you can be confident in the quality of electrical equipment of this brand. This technique has the following advantages:

the number of revolutions is regulated by the built-in system;
automatic selection of operating mode depending on the type of material to be processed;
the steel cartridge is reliably protected;
it is possible to quickly and safely remove and install the nozzle;
devices are equipped with a shock frequency regulator;
the equipment demonstrates low energy consumption, since it is equipped with an electric motor with a high efficiency;
the wiring is insulated with two layers of material;
light weight, just over 3 kilograms;
the minimum beat frequency is 2000, the maximum is 3500;
power consumption 550 Watt;
the impact force is 2.8 Joules;
the length of the device is 46.8 centimeters;
long wire, 5 meters;
The nozzle can be set in 12 positions, which differ by 30 degrees.

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Chuck type

Jackhammers are equipped with different types of cartridges, the design of which varies. The main types of cartridges for jackhammers:

A quick-release chuck is a system based on instant clamping of lances and their quick change. Cartridges of this type are equipped with dust protection and do not require any additional devices;
SDS+ and SDS-Max - the first type of cartridge is used in light jackhammers, the second - in heavy ones;
A hex chuck is a chuck in which the lance is secured using a special clamping wrench.

DeWalt Jackhammer

This is an American manufacturer, which significantly affects both the price and quality of the equipment. Judging by numerous user reviews, the most successful fender model is the D25960K. Below is a list of its technical characteristics:

input power is 1600 watts;
the beat frequency is 1450 per minute;
equipped with a metal cartridge without reinforcement;
impact force is 35 Joley;
the network voltage required for operation is 230 Volts;
weight is 18.4 kilograms.

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Hitachi jackhammer

This company is one of the largest in the world. Its head office is located in Tokyo. Hitachi manufactures a wide variety of jackhammers. The so-called flagship in the model chain is the H55SA fender

The model under discussion is perfect for simple household purposes, but can also be used on construction sites. The device is capable of working with high-strength surfaces. Among the advantages of the technology are the following:

low noise level during work;
impressive strike speed;
pleasant appearance;
convenient dimensions;
high performance indicators;
powerful motor – 1140 Watt;
impact force is 16 Joules;
maximum impact frequency – 1450 per minute;
weight 9.5 kilograms.

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Manufacturers

Jackhammers are designed for skilled builders who choose models from global brands of construction tools. And, even if you are not a construction professional, it is always better to work exclusively with high-quality tools - jackhammers, drills, rotary hammers, etc.

The best jackhammers are produced by the following global brands: Bosch, DeWALT, Einhell, Metabo, AEG, Sparky, Makita, Kress, Hitachi, Milwaukee. Jackhammers from these manufacturers are always distinguished by their quality and reliability.

Types of electric jackhammers

Like any other product, a jackhammer is made to solve specific problems, so they are divided by position during work into devices for working in a vertical or horizontal plane. There is also a division into groups based on the weight of equipment.

Less than 5 kilograms . Such tools are considered lightweight; the main advantage is versatility. Due to the low weight of the device, it is convenient to use in a horizontal position.

From 5 to 10 kilograms . This is the average category of fenders. It is more difficult to work with them in a horizontal plane, but they are more powerful than representatives of the previous class, so they are used for complex tasks.

Up to 30 kilograms . The heaviest class, which is sometimes called “concrete breakers”. Without such equipment, it is difficult to imagine working on the foundation of a house under construction or working with soil frozen to great depths. As a result, we can say that more mass of the fender means more power.

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Bosch jackhammer

For some, choosing a jackhammer is a very simple operation, since they are accustomed to trusting the famous Bosch brand. The specialists of this company recently released a fender, which is a tandem of high power and fairly low weight. The device has the following advantages:

powerful motor that runs on electricity;
the impact force is 23 Joules;
weight is about 11 kilograms;
The device operates for a fairly long period of time without stopping, even under high loads.

All characteristics are indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging, so choosing the right one will not be difficult.

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Don't forget about the attachments

We advise you to immediately buy a set of suitable attachments - this makes it easier to select them for the parameters of a particular device. There are these options:

Crowbar. It loosens the soil well, even frozen ones, and removes old asphalt. Suitable for rocks, brick and concrete.
Spatula. Purchased for interior construction and finishing work. It removes layers of old plaster, tiles, and concrete screed well.
Chisel. It can make holes in walls and cuts metal reinforcing rods well. The chisel is often placed on devices of great weight and impact force, because it is suitable for dismantling metal structures and loosening heavily frozen ground.
Tamping. Compacts soil or other building materials well.

The question of which jackhammers are best is difficult to answer, because different types of equipment are suitable for different tasks. In our catalog you will find devices for different types of work and areas of use. We are ready to help and answer questions about the choice, tell you about the main technical characteristics and other significant features of fenders.

Hilti jackhammer

Hilti is a European company that produces various construction tools. The prayer line includes a device that is perfect for medium to heavy work. This is TE 706-AVR, the following are the technical characteristics of the device:

input power is 1200 watts;
weight 7.2 kilograms.

This equipment is perfect for arranging large door or window openings. The equipment is also used during the dismantling of water mains in houses. This model is also convenient for making holes for pipes or other utility networks.

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Jackhammer Bison

As the name implies, Zubr is a domestic manufacturer that produces reliable construction tools. The fenders of this company are capable of operating in intensive mode for a long time. Such devices also combine fairly low weight with impressive power.

Consider the most popular model of the chipper Zubr ZM-1500EK:

powerful motor – 1500 Watt;
equipped with a reinforced steel cartridge, like equipment from Japanese manufacturers;
beat frequency per minute is 1800;
The impact force reaches 16.5 Joules.

This equipment is perfect for processing concrete structures, brick walls, reinforced concrete or metal products. You can also use it to make a hole in any kind of tile, asphalt or frozen soil.

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Features and Recommendations

Among all this variety of models, you need to be able to choose the right option for specific tasks. It is worth considering not only the size and power of the model, but also the dimensions of the room, sound insulation, weather conditions and a host of other factors.

Today, virtually all modern models are equipped with built-in displays or warning lights.
With their help, the worker can operate the tools without taking his hands off.
He will also be able to immediately find out about the need to replace consumables, the engine running out of fuel, or a malfunction of any tool component.

All this, taken together, allows you to significantly save time on diagnosing and finding out the cause of the breakdown, because all the data is immediately displayed on the display.

Regardless of what type and model of tool is used, you should not neglect safety requirements and ignore the need for regular maintenance of the tool.