Bosch BlueGranite Turbo Carbide Hammer Drill Bit Set

Why this set ended up in my drill bag

The BlueGranite Turbo set earned a permanent spot in my pouch after a couple of weekends installing anchors in block walls, hanging fixtures on poured concrete, and even tackling a handful of ceramic tiles. It’s a straightforward kit: carbide-tipped masonry bits with a hex shank, a four-grind head, and a centering tip meant to cut fast and start straight. That description sums up the experience—quick, predictable holes with minimal fuss—so long as you use the right technique and know the limits.

Design and build

At the business end, the four-grind head presents multiple cutting edges that bite cleanly into masonry. Compared to single- or dual-grind budget bits, these don’t chatter as much when you first touch the surface. The centering tip is subtle but effective; it reduces skating on concrete and brick, and I found I could start holes accurately without a punch. The carbide is brazed cleanly and held up well across a series of medium-depth anchor holes.

The hex shank is a bigger deal than it seems. On a three-jaw chuck, it all but eliminates slip, especially when the chuck gets dusty. In a quick-change chuck, it clicks in like a driver bit. I ran these primarily in a compact hammer drill, but I also drove a handful of holes using an impact driver on low speed when a hammer drill wasn’t practical. The bits survived, though a hammer drill remains the better, faster, cooler-running choice for concrete.

Sizes and kit options

The core kit I used covered 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 inches. Between the assorted 3-inch and 6-inch overall lengths (roughly 1-inch and 4-inch working lengths), I had what I needed for tapcon-style fasteners and sleeve anchors. Bosch also offers variants that swap in a 5/32-inch bit for specific anchors, and a pack focused on longer, 6-inch bits in smaller diameters. For general homeowner and light pro use, the assortment hits the common sizes. If you routinely set deeper anchors or drill larger than 3/8, you’ll want dedicated long bits or SDS-Plus gear.

Concrete and masonry performance

On poured concrete, these bits cut quickly with a compact 18V hammer drill. I was consistently drilling 1/4-inch x 1-3/4-inch holes for screw anchors in under 15 seconds per hole once the hammer settled into its rhythm, and dust evacuation was decent without constant backing out. In older brick and CMU block, the bits tracked straight through the softer material and didn’t blow out the edges as long as I eased off when breaking through.

What stood out was the predictable start. The centering grind kept the bit from wandering on rough surfaces and over aggregate. I got repeatable hole sizes that fit anchors snugly with minimal wallowing, which is what you want if you’re used to fasteners fighting you on oversize holes.

A few cautions:
- If you hit rebar or tie wire, stop. These aren’t rebar cutters, and you’ll cook the carbide. I nicked light wire once; the bit still worked, but cutting speed dropped noticeably afterward.
- Keep the speed moderate and the pressure firm but not excessive. Leaning too hard accelerates heat and dulls the cutting edges.
- Back the bit out periodically on deep holes to clear dust and reduce heat.

Tile drilling

For ceramic tile and softer stone, the BlueGranite Turbo set works better than most general-purpose masonry bits. I was able to make clean, chip-free holes in ceramic by switching hammer off, running slow, and starting with painter’s tape for grip. A few drops of water as a coolant helped keep the edge crisp. On dense porcelain, though, these are not the right answer—diamond-tipped tile bits are vastly better. If your tile is unknown, test in a scrap or an inconspicuous spot first.

Accuracy and hole quality

The multi-grind tip leaves round holes without the oblong “rattled out” profile you get from flatter chisel-style heads. This matters for fasteners that rely on tight tolerances, like wedge anchors. Measuring a sample of 1/4-inch holes in concrete, I saw minimal variance—anchors seated with consistent torque. In brick, the holes tend to open slightly as expected, but still within a usable range.

Breakthrough was controllable. If I eased pressure during the last 1/4 inch, the backside of masonry didn’t spall badly, which is helpful when drilling from finished spaces outward or near edges.

Durability and wear

I tracked wear across roughly 30 holes in concrete and a handful in brick with the 3/16 and 1/4-inch sizes. The cutting edges dulled gradually but stayed serviceable. The braze lines remained intact and I didn’t see chipping unless the bit got too hot. In my experience, heat is the enemy—give the bit a second to cool between holes, especially in long runs or when using the 6-inch length. The hex shank showed no rounding, even in a keyed chuck tightened firmly.

These are not lifetime bits; no carbide masonry set in this class is. But the balance of speed and lifespan is good, especially if you reserve the bits for masonry and avoid steel contact. For heavy daily drilling or frequent large-diameter holes, step up to SDS-Plus with multi-cutter carbide.

Ease of use and compatibility

• Works best in a hammer drill; acceptable in an impact driver at low speed for light tasks.
• Hex shank is secure in both quick-change and standard chucks.
• Starts cleanly without a punch on concrete, improves accuracy on rough block.
• Clearing dust is straightforward; the flutes evacuate well for the bit length.

One limitation: the 6-inch bits can feel a bit whippy if you push too hard or angle the drill. Keep the tool square and let the hammer action do the work.

Value and kit composition

As a set, the assortment covers the anchor sizes I use most, and having both short and long options cuts down on tool changes. I’d call the value solid: you get dependable bits at a price that makes sense for homeowners and maintenance folks, and even as a backup kit for pros who primarily run SDS. I would like to see duplicates of the most common sizes (3/16 and 1/4) in the main set; if you burn through those, Bosch’s long-bit multipack fills that gap.

Tips for best results

• Use hammer mode for concrete and masonry; switch hammer off for tile.
• Run at moderate RPM with steady pressure—don’t “lean” to force speed.
• Back out every inch or so to clear dust and cool the bit on deeper holes.
• Mark hole locations and start square. The centering tip helps, but technique matters.
• If you contact metal, stop and relocate or switch to an appropriate bit.
• For tile, tape the surface and add a few drops of water for a cleaner start.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and DIYers hanging fixtures, setting anchors, or running light electrical through masonry.
• Maintenance techs and remodelers who need a compact, reliable masonry kit in a standard chuck drill.
• Pros who mostly use SDS but want a hex-shank backup for quick tasks or tight spaces.

If your daily work is hammer drilling dozens of holes in cured structural concrete, you’ll move faster—and spend less on consumables—by committing to an SDS-Plus system. For everyone else, this set hits the sweet spot of performance, convenience, and price.

Recommendation

I recommend the BlueGranite Turbo set. It starts accurately, drills quickly in concrete and brick, handles ceramic tile with proper technique, and the hex shank is genuinely useful across different drills. The carbide edges hold up well if you manage heat and avoid metal. It’s not a replacement for SDS in heavy commercial use, and it won’t outperform diamond on porcelain tile, but as a go-to masonry kit for common anchor sizes, it’s dependable and efficient. That combination is exactly what I want in a compact set I actually carry and use.