Bosch 9 pc. SDS-plus Universal Concrete Screw Installation Kit

I put this Bosch concrete screw kit to work on a small remodel—hanging ledgers on a poured wall, anchoring plates to a slab, and mounting boxes to CMU—and it quickly became the grab‑and‑go option for Tapcon-style fasteners. It’s a compact, purpose-built set aimed at one job: drilling clean, accurate pilot holes for masonry screws and then driving them in without digging around for extra bits.

What’s in the kit

The Bosch kit bundles short masonry bits in the two pilot sizes most concrete screws require—5/32 in. and 3/16 in.—with both SDS‑plus and flat-shank options. It also includes hex driver bits sized to set the screws once the holes are drilled. Everything rides in a reusable tube that’s tough enough to live in a tool bag without exploding and transparent enough to see what you’ve got left.

• Pack quantity: 9 pieces
• Diameters: 5/32 in., 3/16 in.
• Working lengths: 0.5 in., 1 in., 2 in.
• Total lengths: 1 in., 2 in., 3 in.
• Shanks: SDS‑plus and flat shank, plus hex drivers for the screws

The lengths are deliberately short. That sounds limiting, but for concrete screws in the 1-3/4 in. to 2-1/4 in. range, a 2 in. working length is usually plenty. Short bits also reduce flex, start straighter, and give you more control near edges.

Setup and compatibility

The SDS‑plus bits are for a rotary hammer; the flat-shank bits and hex driver bits drop into a standard drill/driver or impact driver. If you already own a compact SDS‑plus rotary hammer, this kit makes the most sense. You can drill faster, straighter holes with less effort. If you don’t, the flat-shank bits still work in hammer-drill mode, just more slowly and with more pressure.

The hex drive pieces fit a standard 1/4 in. driver sleeve. I liked being able to drill and then switch to an impact driver to set screws without rummaging for a compatible bit; it keeps the workflow tight.

Drilling performance

Bosch’s carbide tips are the reason to choose a kit like this. The tips are well-sintered and survive the usual suspects—aggregate pockets in poured concrete, hard faces in CMU, and the occasional glancing blow near a form tie—without chipping. The centric, conical tip design helps the bit “land” where you want it. On smooth slab I could start holes one‑handed with very little walk; on broomed or rough surfaces, a light peck set the location and the bit stayed put.

In practice:
- 5/32 in. pilots for 3/16 in. screws bored quickly in 3,000–4,000 psi slab with a compact SDS‑plus hammer. Most holes were under five seconds of drilling.
- 3/16 in. pilots for 1/4 in. screws took a touch longer, as expected, but still felt efficient.

With a hammer drill and the flat-shank bits, expect to slow down. You’ll need more downforce and the exit of fines can feel sluggish. The geometry is the same, but without the SDS percussion, the difference is noticeable.

Dust evacuation and hole quality

The flutes do a respectable job of clearing fines. On vertical work in block, I could drill to depth without the bit bogging. In dense slab, periodic “pump” strokes—easing out midway to clear dust—kept progress brisk. For code-critical anchors you’ll still want to blow and brush to spec. For concrete screws, blowing out the hole with a bulb or vacuum nozzle was enough to keep threads from binding.

Hole roundness and diameter were consistent across materials. The conical tip seems to center well in mortar joints without elongating the hole, which matters if you need full thread engagement for shallow embedments.

Driving screws

The included hex driver bits are ordinary but handy. Being able to leave an SDS‑plus bit in the rotary hammer and grab an impact driver loaded with the proper hex saves time when you’re doing repetitive installs. Torque transfer was fine; I set dozens of 3/16 in. and 1/4 in. concrete screws without cam‑out. If you routinely use star/Torx‑head masonry screws, you’ll want to add that driver to the tube—this kit’s focus is the common hex heads.

Durability and bit life

Short, carbide‑tipped bits tend to live longer in this specific task because the applications are shallow and the tip spends less time in heat. Over a day of mixed slab and block work, I didn’t retire any bit for dullness. Edges on the 5/32 in. SDS‑plus piece still felt sharp after a few dozen holes. The 3/16 in. bit showed minor polishing on the cutting lands but kept cutting straight. As always, hitting rebar will change the story; these are not rebar‑cutting bits.

The shanks held up well. The SDS‑plus grooves didn’t mushroom, and the flat shanks didn’t spin in a keyed chuck. If you tend to overheat bits, give them a breather between holes—carbide takes heat but the braze lines will thank you.

Precision in tight spots

The short overall lengths are a quiet advantage. Working under a stair landing, I could keep the drill perpendicular without the chuck hitting framing. Near an edge, the bit was rigid enough to avoid skipping toward the edge or “walking” a pilot wider than needed. For installing bottom plates close to a stem wall, that rigidity is confidence‑inspiring.

Limitations and wishes

• Depth range: With working lengths topping out at 2 in., you’re limited to relatively short embedments. If you plan to use longer concrete screws or are drilling for wedge anchors, you’ll need longer bits.
• Diameter range: Only two pilot sizes are included. That covers the bulk of masonry screws (3/16 in. and 1/4 in.), but if you use 5/16 in. or specialty fasteners, this kit won’t be your only solution.
• Hammer drill performance: The flat-shank bits get the job done, but they’re a backup plan. If you don’t own an SDS‑plus hammer, consider whether an SDS‑to‑chuck adapter or a dedicated hammer drill set might serve you better.
• No depth stop: A depth collar would have been a welcome addition. Marking the bit with tape works, but a stop improves consistency on repetitive installs.

Practical tips for best results

• Use hammer mode on concrete; rotation‑only will glaze the tip and slow progress.
• Vacuum or blow out holes before driving. Concrete screws bite best in clean bores.
• Let the bit do the work. Excess pressure increases heat and accelerates wear.
• If you feel chatter, back out, clear dust, and resume. It helps maintain hole size.
• Mark depth with tape if you’re aiming for consistent embedment.

Who it’s for

This kit makes sense for anyone who regularly installs Tapcon‑style screws and wants a compact, dedicated setup: remodelers, electricians, plumbers, maintenance techs, and DIYers tackling concrete fastenings. If your work is occasional and you already have a mishmash of bits, the value here is organization and purposefulness—right sizes, right shanks, ready to go.

If your needs skew toward larger anchors, deep embedments, or drilling through rebar, this is not the right kit. Look for longer SDS‑plus bits, rebar‑cutting bits, and diameter coverage beyond 3/16 in.

Value and portability

The reusable tube is not an afterthought. It snaps closed securely, fits in a pouch, and keeps grit off the drivers. For a 9‑piece set, the footprint is tiny, and that convenience is part of why I kept reaching for it. You can absolutely assemble a similar selection piecemeal, but having the two pilot sizes in multiple lengths, plus drivers, in one place is compelling on a busy job.

Recommendation

I recommend this Bosch concrete screw kit for anyone who installs 3/16 in. and 1/4 in. masonry screws with any regularity, especially if you own an SDS‑plus rotary hammer. The carbide tips, centering geometry, and short, rigid lengths deliver fast, accurate holes, and the inclusion of hex drivers keeps the workflow tight. Its limitations—short working lengths and a narrow diameter range—are intentional tradeoffs for control and portability. If those constraints align with the anchors you use, this compact kit earns a permanent spot in the bag. If you need deeper holes or larger diameters, pair it with longer SDS‑plus bits or choose a different set tailored to anchor drilling.