Pneumatic Drill

AKA jackhammer is a portable percussive-drill

Operated by compressed air and used to drill rock, break up pavement, etc. Works in the manner of a hammer and chisel, by jabbing with its bit, not by rotating it. A drill, driven by compressed air, which rotates its cutting bit is called an air-drill or, more familiarly, a windy-drill. The word jackhammer is used in North American English and in Australia, and pneumatic drill is used colloquially elsewhere in the English speaking world, although (road) breaker is used in the trade.

The portable pneumatic jackhammer is not practical for use on walls and steep slopes as it relies on the inertia of the mass of its body to impel the bit into the work and manipulating mass when it is not supported by work is highly difficult. Besides, gravity is required to bring the mass back into contact with the work after each blow. Though it is unhealthy practice, the operator can lean on the tool to assist but he is not really capable of overcoming the forces involved when he is not assisted by gravity.

While the term jackhammeris occasionally used to mean pneumatic drill, the electromechanical tool that performs the same function is normally the one called a jackhammer in Britain. This tool is useful where the work is light and not accessible from a compressor.

This type and size of machine is commonly hired by amateurs for renovation type jobs. Pneumatic hose connections are designed so any hose end will connect with any hose end without the workman having to keep track of male and female hose-ends.