Abstract: A rock drill has a normally stationary base, a support movable longitudinally on the base forward toward and backward away from a rock face adjacent the base and having a part engageable forwardly with the face, a base actuator braced longitudinally between the base and the support for longitudinally moving the support on the base and for pressing the part of the support forward against the face with a predetermined anchoring force, a drill movable longitudinally on the support and having a drilling tool engageable in the face for drilling a longitudinal hole therein, and a drill actuator braced longitudinally between the drill and the support for longitudinally moving the drill on the support and for pressing the drilling tool longitudinally forward against the face adjacent the part with a predetermined drilling force. A pressure detector or sensor is provided on the part for producing an actual-value output corresponding to the reaction force or pressure exerted axially backward on the support by the face.