DeWalt 1-1/8 in. SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Kit with Onboard Dust Extractor

Why I reached for this rotary hammer

I spend a lot of time installing wedge and sleeve anchors in cured concrete, so I’m picky about two things: consistent hole quality and dust management that doesn’t slow me down. This DeWalt SDS‑Plus rotary hammer with the onboard extractor checked both boxes in my recent jobs. It’s a corded 8.5‑amp unit rated at 3.5 J (EPTA) with an SDS‑Plus chuck and an included DWH304DH dust collection attachment. The promise is straightforward: fast, controlled anchor holes up to about 1 inch in diameter with less airborne dust and less vibration at the handle. In practice, it largely delivers.

Setup and ergonomics

Out of the case, the tool and extractor are simple to assemble. The extractor slides and locks on securely and lines up well with the bit. The case is large enough for the hammer, extractor, and a small set of SDS‑Plus bits, though you won’t be packing full‑length augers in there with everything else.

Bare tool weight is about 8.1 lb, and you feel that it’s not a featherweight, but the balance is good with or without the extractor. With the dust unit attached, there’s some forward bias; overhead work is absolutely doable, but you’ll notice the added nose weight on long runs. The side handle is easy to adjust and stays put under load. The main grip shape and rubber overmold work well with gloves, and the trigger pull is predictable. DeWalt’s SHOCKS Active Vibration Control isn’t marketing fluff here—the handles stay calm enough that I could run a series of anchors without tingling fingers afterward.

The 8‑foot cord is serviceable on ground level. On a lift or ladder, you’ll want an extension handy to avoid tugging at full reach. Strain relief at the boot is stout.

Power and drilling performance

This class of SDS‑Plus hammers lives or dies on how confidently it drives 1/2‑ to 3/4‑inch masonry bits. With a 3.5‑J mechanism, this one lands on the stronger side of the SDS‑Plus segment. In 4,000–5,000 PSI cured slab, I had no trouble punching repetitive 1/2‑inch and 5/8‑inch holes to standard embed depths. Starts are easy thanks to the variable‑speed trigger; I could feather the bit into epoxy‑coated anchors without skating.

At 3/4 inch, it stays composed and clears dust effectively with the onboard extractor engaged. If you push toward the upper end of what SDS‑Plus bits like to do—close to the 1‑inch mark—you’ll still get it done, but feed pressure becomes more important and the tool feels appropriately taxed in dense aggregate. That’s not a knock; it’s simply where SDS‑Plus typically tops out. If you routinely drill beyond 1 inch or need deep holes beyond 8 inches, you’ll either remove the onboard collector and pair an external vac or step up to an SDS‑Max platform.

I tripped the factory‑set clutch once when a 5/8‑inch bit grazed rebar. The torque reaction was brief and controlled—exactly what you want from a non‑adjustable clutch. You can’t tune it, but in concrete with occasional surprises, I’d rather have it err on the side of saving my wrist.

Dust extraction that keeps pace

The onboard extractor is the standout here. It’s compact, rides with the tool, and has its own fan assembly to pull material through a telescoping nozzle. In practice, collection is excellent on straight‑in holes up to about 1 inch and depths up to roughly 8 inches, which covers the bulk of typical wedge and sleeve anchor work. The nose cone seals nicely around the bit without obscuring your mark, and the depth stop is fast to set and repeatable.

Two notes from use:
- Extraction efficiency drops if you side‑load the nozzle on rough masonry or try to drill at steep angles near edges. Keeping the nose flat to the surface matters.
- The dust box fills slower than I expected, but on long runs it’s worth building in a quick dump/clean routine to maintain suction.

Compared with dragging a vac hose around or relying on manual clean‑out, the onboard unit saved me time moving between holes and dramatically cut down dust drifting into adjacent work areas. It also avoids the awkward hose tug that can misalign your starts.

Vibration, control, and comfort

Vibration control is solid. The SHOCKS system decouples the handle well enough that I could run back‑to‑back holes without death‑gripping the tool. That, combined with the tool’s balanced mass and a smooth trigger ramp, translated to very clean holes and less user fatigue. The tool’s percussion feels tight—no chattery resonance—and there’s minimal bit wobble in the chuck, which helps maintain hole roundness, especially with larger diameter SDS‑Plus bits.

Noise is another area worth flagging. At a listed 93 dB(A), hearing protection is a must, particularly indoors where sound reflects. That’s normal for rotary hammers, but don’t skip PPE.

Bit changes and general handling

As expected for SDS‑Plus, bit insertion and removal are quick and tool‑less. The chuck action is positive with a clean detent. I didn’t experience any unexpected bit walk‑out, even under heavier feed on 3/4‑inch holes. Heat management is good for a corded design; the gearbox housing got warm during longer sessions but never uncomfortably hot. The onboard fan for the extractor didn’t rob noticeable power from the hammering action.

The stated no‑load speed tops out around 1,000–1,150 RPM. You won’t spend time at no‑load, but the speed range and impact cadence pair well for fast concrete drilling. You can technically drill wood and metal within the listed capacities, but this tool’s sweet spot is masonry work.

Limitations and trade‑offs

• Depth limit with onboard extraction: The integrated collector tops out at roughly 8 inches. If your spec calls for deeper holes, you’ll need to remove the unit or switch to a different dust control method.
• Front‑heavy with extractor: You gain convenience and cleaner holes, but the added weight up front is noticeable in overhead or extended reach scenarios.
• Single clutch setting: The factory‑set clutch is protective but not user‑adjustable. If you like to tune clutch behavior for specialized drilling, that’s not an option here.
• Cord management: The 8‑foot cord will need an extension in many real‑world setups, especially on lifts.

None of these are dealbreakers for the tool’s stated mission, but they’re worth understanding before you buy.

Who it’s for

• Trades installing mechanical and screw anchors in concrete who want fast, repeatable holes with integrated dust collection.
• Remodelers, facility maintenance, and electricians who frequently work indoors where dust control matters.
• Pros who prefer the consistent runtime of corded power and don’t want to wrangle a vac hose for every hole.

If your work leans more toward chipping/demolition or routinely exceeds 1‑inch holes, you’ll be better served by a heavier SDS‑Max machine.

Value

Bundling the extractor with the hammer makes a lot of sense. You could piece together a compatible dust attachment later, but having a matched, onboard system that installs in seconds and rides with the tool pays off immediately in productivity and cleaner job sites. In a market where many dust solutions are add‑ons, getting a capable extractor in the box helps justify the kit. You’ll also appreciate the time saved not dragging a vac hose across finished spaces or tying up a second outlet.

Bottom line

This DeWalt rotary hammer hits the mark for anchor‑focused concrete work: strong impact energy for an SDS‑Plus, excellent controllability, and an onboard extractor that actually keeps up. The SHOCKS vibration control makes long sessions feasible, and the factory clutch behaves exactly as a safety clutch should when a bit binds. The trade‑offs—front‑heaviness with the extractor, an 8‑inch depth ceiling for onboard collection, and a cord that sometimes needs an extension—are reasonable given the convenience and performance you gain.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for pros and serious DIYers who primarily drill 3/8‑ to 3/4‑inch anchor holes in concrete and want integrated dust control without the hassle of a separate vacuum. It’s a balanced, capable package that speeds up anchor installs, keeps dust in check, and protects the user with solid vibration control and a reliable clutch. If your workflow centers on deeper holes or heavy chipping, look to a larger SDS‑Max class; otherwise, this kit is a smart, jobsite‑ready choice.