Mon-Fri from 09:00 to 18:00,
A detailed buying guide: how to choose a pneumatic rock drill.
This section covers pneumatic rock drills, both handheld rock drills and pusher-leg (telescopic air-leg) models, for drilling 32–45 mm holes up to about 5 m deep in stone and rock for blasting, anchoring and service holes. They are used in quarries, mining and tunnelling, road construction and foundation work in rocky ground. The tool is powerful and robust and has no electrical parts, so it suits wet, dusty and explosion-risk conditions, but it only works with a high-output diesel or electric screw compressor.
Handheld rock drills suit downward and angled drilling in quarries and on sites, pusher-leg models suit horizontal and angled holes in tunnels and mines, and upward (stoper) drills suit anchor holes in the roof. Choose the type by hole direction and workplace. See what pneumatic tools are and how they work.
Pneumatic rock drills usually drill 32–45 mm holes, and drilling depth with extension rods reaches about 5 m. Choose a model by the required hole diameter, depth and rock hardness. Read how to choose drill-bit diameter and length.
Most pneumatic rock drills use drill rods with a 22×108 mm hex shank. Both integral rods with a brazed bit and tapered rods with replaceable cross or button bits are used, and they must match the shank and hole diameter. See differences between SDS plus, SDS max, and HEX systems.
Pneumatic rock drills usually deliver 50–75 J per blow at 1,800–2,700 blows/min (30–45 Hz). Higher energy and frequency speed up drilling in hard rock but increase air consumption. Read what is impact energy (J) and what is impact rate.
Pneumatic rock drills use about 2.5–4 m³/min of air at a working pressure of 0.4–0.63 MPa (4–6.3 bar), so they run on diesel or electric screw site compressors rather than workshop models. The compressor should have a reserve to cover hose losses and the number of drills running at once. See how to choose an air compressor and how to choose compressor working pressure.
Pneumatic rock drills need a reinforced air hose with an inner diameter of 19–25 mm and a separate water flushing hose with secure claw couplings and safety clips. The percussion and rotation mechanisms need constant lubrication with special rock drill oil through an in-line lubricator. Read how to choose an air hose and connectors and how to prepare compressed air: condensate, filters, regulators, and lubricators.
Cuttings are cleared from the hole with water or air; water flushing sharply reduces silica dust and protects the lungs, so it is mandatory in tunnels and enclosed workings. When drilling dry, use a dust collector, a respirator and safety glasses. See how to choose personal protective equipment.
Handheld rock drills weigh 20–30 kg, and an air leg with a feed length of about 1.3–1.4 m takes over the feed force and reduces fatigue and vibration. Noise often exceeds 100 dB, so ear protection, a hard hat and anti-vibration gloves are a must. Read how to choose hearing protection.
Disconnect the air before changing drill rods, check that the hoses are secured and follow the established rules in the blasting zone. A worn piston, valves, rotation parts, bushings and air-leg seals can be replaced with spare parts. See how to use pneumatic tools safely and how to choose spare parts for pneumatic and hydraulic tools.
At ToolsArmenia you can compare pneumatic rock drills by type, hole diameter and depth, impact energy, air consumption and weight and choose a model that suits your jobs and compressor.
There are no products to list in this category.
