DeWalt SDS Plus 2 Cutter Carbide Drill Bits

I put these DeWalt SDS‑Plus bits to work on a weekend of anchor setting—wedge anchors in a garage slab and sleeve anchors in CMU—and they behaved like a bit should: fast to start, steady through aggregate, and predictable on hole size. At 5/8 inch diameter with a 6-inch working length (8 inches overall), they fit the bulk of anchor specs I run into without turning the drill into a workout.

Design and build: smart choices in the right places

This is a two-cutter carbide tip riding on a stout, tapered core, with a four-flute, two-stage spiral. The tapered core matters more than it sounds—6-inch-deep holes can punish a bit, especially if you’re tempted to wiggle for clean-out. That extra core meat helps the bit resist twisting and flute cracking. The variable-helix flutes are split into stages, which translates to better dust movement without choking the cutting edges.

The carbide geometry puts more carbide in contact with the concrete than a generic two-cutter, so the bit stays sharper longer and tracks straighter. There’s also a wear mark etched near the tip. If that mark disappears, the bit is considered past its service diameter for anchors—a small thing that saves guesswork and potential failed inspections. If the bit fails while the wear mark is still visible, DeWalt backs it with a replacement policy (with the usual exclusions), which is reassuring for folks who buy boxes for the crew.

It’s an SDS‑Plus shank, so it drops and locks into any SDS‑Plus rotary hammer without fuss. Each bit is light (just over 2 ounces), and the 10‑pack makes sense for crews or anyone drilling many holes in a short window.

On the concrete: speed, control, and clean holes

I paired the bit with a mid‑size SDS‑Plus rotary hammer and kept it in hammer‑drill mode throughout. Starts were quick and positive. Two‑cutter tips can sometimes skate on smooth surfaces, but this one bit in cleanly with a light bracing push. Tracking was good—I didn’t see the tip get thrown off by larger aggregate, and the hole stayed on line without coaxing.

In 4,000–5,000 psi slab, cutting speed was what I expect from a premium two‑cutter: quick and consistent. The bit doesn’t feel chattery, and it doesn’t overload the hammer or telegraph a ton of vibration into your arms. In CMU block, it was unsurprisingly faster; the tip didn’t blow out webbing when I backed off at break‑through.

As for hole quality, I checked fit with 5/8‑inch wedge anchors and drop‑ins after proper blow/brush/vac cycles. Tolerances were snug without being tight, which is what you want for mechanical anchors—a round hole that doesn’t oversize as the bit wears. The wear indicator is genuinely helpful here: if that line is gone, I grab a fresh bit rather than risk a lazy anchor.

Dust evacuation and heat

The two‑stage, variable‑helix flutes pull dust out effectively. Without a dust extractor, you’ll still need to periodically pump the bit to clear heavy powder in deep holes, but I could run cleanly for most of the 6‑inch depth before noticing drag. Hooked to a HEPA vac or on‑tool extractor, the difference is night and day—the bit cuts cooler and the hammer works less. Less heat means longer life, especially in harder aggregate.

Deep holes and flute strength

Five‑eighths by six inches isn’t “deep” in the world of core drilling, but it’s deep for anchor bits, and it’s where lesser flutes chip along the helix. The tapered core here clearly helps. I had no cracking or visible stress marks after a day’s work, and there was no mid‑shaft flex that would cause a drifted hole. Do yourself a favor and resist prying with the bit—it’s not a lever. Keep it spinning as you withdraw to avoid packing a plug of dust at the tip.

Durability and tip life

After several dozen holes across slab and block, the cutting edges still felt crisp, and the entry bite remained confident. That extra carbide contact area appears to slow the rounding of the edges compared with bargain two‑cutters I’ve used. Inevitably, if you hit rebar, a two‑cutter like this is not the right tool—it’ll catch, chip, or stall the hammer. If your site is congested with steel, step up to a four‑cutter head designed for rebar strikes. For clean concrete and masonry, these hold up very well.

Accuracy and runout

Shank fit was tight with minimal play in the chuck, and I didn’t measure meaningful runout at the tip. That shows up as holes that measure true for anchors—and the wear mark acts as an easy double-check. If you’re installing adhesive anchors with strict hole tolerances, this bit will keep you honest, but don’t skip your cleaning steps; dust left in the hole is the faster way to a failed pull test than a worn tip.

Practical limitations

• Rebar is the hard stop. If you’re likely to cross steel, use a rebar-cutting bit or a four‑cutter designed for it.
• The 6‑inch working length covers most wedge and sleeve anchors, but not every embedment spec. For deeper epoxy embedments or drilling through doubled sill plates plus slab, you may need a longer bit.
• Two‑cutters can chip a bit more on breakout than four‑cutters. Ease up on pressure as you exit and support the backside where possible.

None of these are dealbreakers—just normal boundaries of a fast, two‑cutter SDS‑Plus bit.

Who it suits

• Concrete crews and installers who run a lot of 5/8‑inch anchors and want predictable, repeatable holes.
• Facility and maintenance teams that prefer keeping a 10‑pack on hand to avoid mid‑job shortages.
• DIYers tackling a deck ledger, sill plates, or equipment pads who want pro‑grade performance; one bit will likely cover your project, and the extras won’t go bad on the shelf.

Tips for best results

• Use dust extraction. Even a simple vac adapter keeps the bit cooler and the hole size truer.
• Start square with light pressure, let the tip establish the hole, then lean into it. Forcing it just makes dust cakes.
• Periodically withdraw while spinning to clear flutes on deep holes.
• Watch the wear mark. If it’s gone, retire the bit for anchor work and keep it for rough drilling.
• If you suspect steel, stop and scan rather than plowing ahead.

Value

Buying these in a 10‑pack makes sense for anyone drilling anchors regularly. You get consistent performance across bits, and the durability means you’re not tossing one after a handful of holes. For occasional users, it’s more than you need in quantity, but the individual bit performance is worth it.

Recommendation

I recommend these DeWalt SDS‑Plus bits for everyday concrete and masonry anchor drilling at 5/8 inch. They cut quickly, clear dust well, produce round, in‑tolerance holes, and stand up to the depth and heat of repeated anchor work. The tapered core adds real durability, the wear indicator prevents guesswork, and the SDS‑Plus fit is solid. If you frequently cross rebar or need longer embedments, choose a four‑cutter or a longer bit. Otherwise, this is a dependable, efficient choice that keeps a rotary hammer in its sweet spot.