Hammer drill vs SDS drill: what is the real difference?
A plain UK guide to choosing between a hammer drill and SDS drill for masonry, concrete and repeated fixing work.
Use the matching planner →Guides
Common mistakes before hire.
Short, practical notes for the questions people ask before they know what to hire. Each guide links back to the matching planner.
Guide shape
- Quick answer
- Concrete example
- Checks before hire
- Stop condition
47 support guides
Use guides when the planner question needs context.
No generic blog filler: each note supports a practical tool hire decision.
Why won’t my drill go into concrete?
Common reasons a drill stops in concrete: wrong drill, wrong bit, steel, lintel, dust-packed hole or hidden services risk.
Use the matching planner →What drill bit for a concrete lintel?
How to think about drilling near concrete lintels, possible steel and curtain rail fixings without guessing dangerously.
Use the matching planner →How to break up a concrete slab before hiring a breaker
Check thickness, services, waste route and vibration before choosing breaker size.
Use the matching planner →Concrete breaker size guide: small, medium or heavy?
How slab thickness, access and waste change the sensible breaker class.
Use the matching planner →How to cut porcelain tiles without chipping
Plan cutter type, blade, water and visible edges before hiring tile cutting kit.
Use the matching planner →Manual vs wet tile cutter: which should you hire?
Decide between manual snap cutter, wet saw and grinder based on tile and cut type.
Use the matching planner →Drum vs orbital floor sander: which hire kit fits your floor?
Choose sanding kit by floor condition, flatness, finish and edge work.
Use the matching planner →Floor sander grit sequence: what to plan before hire
Avoid under-hiring abrasives and skipping grit steps before floor sanding.
Use the matching planner →Dehumidifier or heater for drying walls?
How drying equipment, ventilation, heat and moisture source checks fit together.
Use the matching planner →What pressure washer for a patio?
Choose pressure washer, rotary cleaner and treatment route by surface and staining.
Use the matching planner →Patio black spots: when a pressure washer is not enough
Why black spots can need treatment, dwell time and surface testing rather than more pressure.
Use the matching planner →Wacker plate for patio base depth: what to check before hire
Plan patio sub-base depth, lift thickness, passes and edge risks before hiring a wacker plate.
Use the matching planner →Rotavator vs turf cutter: which garden tool should you hire?
Choose rotavator, turf cutter, scarifier, stump grinder or chipper based on the actual garden job.
Use the matching planner →Ladder vs scaffold tower: working height checks before hire
Work out when a ladder is too limited and a platform or scaffold tower is a safer hire conversation.
Use the matching planner →Carpet cleaner drying time: what to plan before hire
Plan room sequence, detergent, ventilation and drying support before hiring a carpet cleaner.
Use the matching planner →Generator kVA for small site use: a plain-English check
Estimate generator hire size by adding watts, startup surge and safe outdoor placement requirements.
Use the matching planner →Mini digger access width: what to measure before hire
Measure the whole access route, spoil path and delivery space before asking for mini digger hire.
Use the matching planner →Post hole auger or manual digger: what should you hire?
Choose powered auger or manual post hole digger by hole count, services, roots, stones and post load.
Use the matching planner →Concrete grinder dust control: what to sort before hire
Plan extractor class, tooling, filters and stop conditions before grinding concrete indoors.
Use the matching planner →Plasterboard lift for ceilings: when it helps and when it does not
Check board size, lift footprint, access route and ceiling structure before hiring a plasterboard lift.
Use the matching planner →Paint sprayer masking and overspray: checks before hire
Plan masking, ventilation, wind and coating compatibility before hiring a paint sprayer.
Use the matching planner →Material lift or extra hands: how to choose before hire
Choose material lift hire only after load weight, dimensions, lift height and route are known.
Use the matching planner →What size core drill for a waste pipe or vent?
Check diameter, wall build-up, services and dust control before hiring a diamond core drill.
Use the matching planner →Cut-off saw or angle grinder for slabs?
Choose slab cutting kit by cut depth, dust control, blade type and working area.
Use the matching planner →Floor tile removal tools: what to check before hire
Avoid over-breaking a floor by checking tile type, adhesive, underfloor heating and waste route first.
Use the matching planner →Trench rammer vs wacker plate: which compacts backfill?
Match compaction kit to trench width, layer depth, services and edge support before hire.
Use the matching planner →Submersible pump for a flooded garden: checks before hire
Plan water type, hose route, power safety and discharge point before hiring a pump.
Use the matching planner →Pipe freezing kit checks before hire
Check pipe material, flow, diameter and stop conditions before relying on a freeze kit.
Use the matching planner →Drywall sander dust control before hire
Match sander, abrasive grade and extraction before sanding plasterboard or ceilings.
Use the matching planner →What class dust extractor should you hire?
Understand L, M and H class extractor conversations before sanding, cutting or grinding.
Use the matching planner →Laser level set-out: what to know before hire
Choose line laser or rotary laser by range, visibility, datum and tolerance.
Use the matching planner →Site lighting and worklights: checks before hire
Plan light coverage, cable route, outdoor rating and power source before hiring work lights.
Use the matching planner →Acrow props for wall support: warning signs before hire
Know when Acrow prop hire needs competent structural advice before any wall or opening work.
Use the matching planner →Floor scrubber pads and detergent: checks before hire
Match scrubber, pad, brush and detergent to floor finish before cleaning large areas.
Use the matching planner →Hedge trimmer or long-reach cutter: what to check before hire
Match hedge height, reach, waste volume and wildlife checks before hiring trimming kit.
Use the matching planner →Wood chipper branch size: checks before hire
Check branch diameter, feed area and access before hiring a chipper or garden shredder.
Use the matching planner →Log splitter capacity: what to check before hire
Use log size, timber condition and working area to avoid hiring the wrong splitter.
Use the matching planner →Turf cutter before lawn removal: checks before hire
Plan strip direction, waste route and ground condition before hiring a turf cutter.
Use the matching planner →Scarifier or aerator: which lawn tool should you hire?
Use lawn condition, thatch and compaction clues to choose scarifier or aerator hire.
Use the matching planner →Air compressor CFM: what to know before hire
Check air tool demand, hose fittings and power before hiring a compressor.
Use the matching planner →Drain camera before unblocking: when it helps
Use a drain camera only when access, hygiene and blockage clues make inspection sensible.
Use the matching planner →Cable avoidance tool before digging: checks before hire
Use CAT scanner, plans and hand-dig checks before any digging near hidden services.
Use the matching planner →Concrete poker for small pours: checks before hire
Check pour depth, formwork and access before hiring a concrete poker or vibrator.
Use the matching planner →Power float before finishing concrete: checks before hire
Plan slab timing, access and finish expectations before hiring a power float.
Use the matching planner →Floor saw or cut-off saw: which fits deeper slab cuts?
Use cut depth, length, services and dust control to choose between floor saw and smaller cutting kit.
Use the matching planner →Wall chaser dust control: checks before hire
Check wall material, hidden services and dust extraction before cutting channels.
Use the matching planner →