ROTARY HAMMER

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a rotary hammer comprising an electric motor (7) having its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis of the hammer spindle (13) and the tool holder (17). A single switching arrangement (63) activates and deactivates the hammer mechanism and the rotary drive mechanism for the tool holder (17). The switching arrangement (63) has a cam portion (75) acting on a coupling part (55) to activate and deactivate the hammer drive mechanism, and acting on a slider part (77) to engage and disengage a coupling sleeve (49) with a drive sleeve (47) to thereby activate and deactivate the rotary drive mechanism of the hammer spindle (13). The switching arrangement (63) comprises a gear train (70) disposed between the switching element (65) and the cam portion (75).