Rotary Demolition Hammers

Rotary Demolition Hammers for Australian Construction and Demolition

Rotary demolition hammers are the heavy-duty power tools that break through concrete, masonry, brick, and rock — driving SDS-fitted bits and chisels with thousands of impacts per minute and significantly more energy than a standard hammer drill. For Australian construction, demolition, and renovation work, the right rotary hammer is essential equipment for breaking, drilling, and chasing through hard substrates. AIMS Industrial supplies rotary demolition hammers from approved trade brands including Hikoki, Hitachi, and Metabo.

The hammer types we stock

• SDS-Plus rotary hammers — the everyday workshop and trade tool, handles drill bits to 30mm and lighter demolition
• SDS-Max rotary hammers — heavier-duty hammers for larger drill bits and serious demolition
• Demolition hammers (chipping hammers) — pure demolition tools without rotation, for breaking and chasing
• Combination drills — rotary hammer with selectable rotation-only, hammer-only, and rotary-hammer modes
• Cordless rotary hammers — battery-powered for site work where mains power isn't practical

SDS-Plus versus SDS-Max — which to specify

SDS-Plus is the standard for general trade work — handles drill bits up to about 30mm in concrete, light to medium demolition work, and the everyday drilling required for fixings, fasteners, and small openings. SDS-Max is heavier-duty — handles drill bits up to 50mm+ and significantly heavier demolition. For most trade applications, SDS-Plus is the right tool; for serious demolition contractors and concrete cutters, SDS-Max is essential.

Where rotary hammers earn their place

• Concrete drilling — large-diameter holes for mechanical anchors and fixings
• Masonry and brick work — drilling and chasing through brick walls and block
• Demolition and renovation — breaking concrete slab, removing tile, chasing channels
• Plumbing and electrical chase work — cutting channels for pipework and conduit
• Anchor installation — drilling for chemical and mechanical anchors

Specifications that matter

• Impact energy (joules) — the impact force per blow; higher energy means faster breaking but heavier tool
• Beats per minute (bpm) — the impact rate; higher bpm means faster drilling but more user fatigue
• Maximum drill capacity — the largest hole the tool is rated to drill in concrete
• Vibration level — modern AVT (anti-vibration technology) hammers significantly reduce hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) risk

Health and safety — vibration matters

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a serious occupational health risk for workers using rotary hammers regularly. Australian workplace exposure limits restrict daily exposure to specific vibration levels. Modern AVT-equipped rotary hammers significantly reduce vibration transmission to the user — for trade workers using the tool daily, the AVT investment pays back through reduced fatigue and reduced HAVS risk.

Brands stocked at AIMS

Hikoki and Hitachi cover the trade range with strong heavy-duty options. Metabo provides additional coverage in the SDS-Plus and SDS-Max ranges. The matching battery platforms allow workshops standardising on one brand to share batteries across rotary hammers and other power tools.

Bits and consumables

Rotary hammer bits and chisels are consumable wear parts. SDS bits are stocked across the common drill diameters and chisel profiles. Match the bit to the work — drilling bits for clean holes, chisels for breaking, and pointed chisels for chasing channels. See our broader cutting tool range for related consumables.

Companion ranges at AIMS

Rotary demolition hammers sit alongside our broader power tool range — see cordless power tools, drills and drivers, multi-purpose drill bits, and respiratory protection for the related products.

Need help speccing a rotary hammer for a specific work type? contact our team — we'll match impact energy, capacity, and corded versus cordless to your work.