How to fix Ryobi rotary hammer drill not hammering?

natashahastings

Hi. I'm in the process of removing floor tiles in our newly purchased house. I have the Ryobi rotary hammer drill. I have been using the chisel bit that came with the drill to get the tiles up but decided to buy a wider chisel bit. I got the Kango 75mm x 170mm SDS Plus Angled Tiling Chisel a couple of days ago. It worked for the first few tiles and then it stopped hammering completely. I put the other chisel bit back in to see if the issue was with the drill but that one worked fine. I'm not sure what's happening? 

JacobZ

Hi @natashahastings,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Can you advise which specific model of Ryobi rotary hammer drill you have? There should be a sticker or plate somewhere that will indicate the model number of your drill.

A common issue that sounds like it could be the cause is incorrect bit seating. If dust, debris, or damage is present on the SDS grooves of the chisel, it may not lock in properly. This prevents the hammer piston from striking as intended. 

You'll want to start by cleaning the chuck. First, remove the battery or unplug the tool. You should then spray some WD40 in and around the chuck, then wipe away dust and debris with a dry cloth. Use a small brush, like a toothbrush or pipe cleaner to clear inside the chuck. 

Once clean, insert the chisel bit and test. You need to ensure the chisel clicks firmly into place when inserted. Start by pulling back the chuck sleeve on the drill, which opens the locking mechanism inside. While holding the sleeve back, slide the chisel shank into the chuck. You should feel the bit move smoothly along the grooves as it goes in. Once the shank is fully inserted, release the chuck sleeve so it snaps back into place. At this point, pull lightly on the chisel to confirm it cannot slide back out. You should also feel or hear a distinct click as the locking balls inside the chuck engage with the SDS slots on the chisel.

If you struggle to get the chuck to lock the bit in place, try cleaning the shank on your chisel bit thoroughly and applying a thin layer of Kango 50g SDS Masonry Grease.  The main benefit is that it helps the bit slide smoothly into the chuck, ensuring it seats properly and locks in place with less effort. This reduces the chance of the bit sticking or failing to engage the hammer mechanism.

Give this a try and let me know how you go. I will happily assist further if required.

Jacob