DeWalt 1-7/8 In. SDS MAX Combination Rotary Hammer Kit

Why I reached for this rotary hammer

Cordless SDS Max hammers have matured to the point where leaving the cord in the truck is no longer a compromise. I brought this DeWalt SDS Max rotary hammer onto a job that mixed heavy drilling, light demo, and a few dry cores, curious to see how a midweight, 60V brushless platform with 13.3 joules of impact energy would hold up over a long day.

Power and drilling speed

With an SDS Max chuck rated for up to 1-7/8 in. bits and a no-load speed of 350 RPM, the tool is aimed squarely at rebar doweling, larger anchors, and utility penetrations. In 4,000–5,000 PSI slab, it kept a steady pace that felt on par with mid-class corded SDS Max units. The constant-speed electronics do what they’re supposed to: once the bit is seated and cutting, the motor maintains blow rate under load instead of surging and bogging.

A few real numbers from my notes:
- 5/8 in. x 8 in. holes for #5 dowels: roughly 30–40 holes per 9Ah pack, depending on aggregate and bit condition.
- 1 in. x 12 in. anchors: around a dozen holes on a pack, with notably faster progress than a comparable high-end SDS Plus.
- 3 in. dry core in a block wall with a vacuum shroud: slow but steady, best results with a lower speed setting and consistent feed pressure.

If your everyday work is 1-1/4 in. and up in hard, reinforced concrete, heavier corded or higher-output cordless models still have the edge. But for #6–#9 rebar doweling and mixed anchor work, the pace here feels appropriately “SDS Max,” not “big SDS Plus trying too hard.”

Chipping and controlled removal

In hammer-only mode, the 13.3 J output pairs nicely with mid-scale chisels. I used it to chase a trench line and to peel back spalled edges on a curb; it’s strong enough to move material without turning everything around it into rubble. The 7-position speed dial matters here. Setting it lower lets you feather delicate edges and avoid over-breaking, while the higher settings put some authority behind a wide chisel for bushing or cleaning forms.

It’s a 20 lb tool, so it’s happiest working horizontal or downward. Overhead chipping is possible but fatiguing after a few minutes. The balance and handle geometry help, but physics is physics.

Vibration and safety

DeWalt’s SHOCKS Active Vibration Control is effective. The published 9.4 m/s² vibration figure tracks with how it feels—still a serious hammer, but with notably less buzz in the hands and forearms than many older corded models. After a half-day of drilling and intermittent chipping, I was less fatigued than expected for a tool in this class.

The Anti-Rotation E-CLUTCH earns its keep. I snagged the edge of a hidden tie during a 1 in. hole and the clutch interrupted rotation before the tool had a chance to wrench my wrist. Recovery is quick—reset and restart, rather than fight through a bind.

Runtime, charging, and the FLEXVOLT ecosystem

The kit’s two 9.0Ah FLEXVOLT batteries are the right match for this platform. Under sustained drilling, I averaged 25–40 minutes of trigger time per pack, which translated into a couple hours of real-world progress when rotating batteries and tasks. The DCB118 fast charger brings a 9Ah pack back in roughly 75–90 minutes in my shop, so you can keep moving with two packs if you manage the cycle.

A nice bonus: these batteries slot into 20V MAX tools for lighter tasks, and your existing 20V chargers will top them off too. For crews already on the yellow platform, that flexibility matters.

Dust control and connectivity

Wireless Tool Control compatibility is genuinely useful. Pairing the hammer to a DeWalt dust extractor let me fire the vac automatically with the trigger—no extra cords or remotes. That matters for dry coring and for drilled anchors where capturing dust at the source improves hole quality and cleanup.

For fleet users, the “Tag Ready” pocket accommodates a Tool Connect tag for inventory and location tracking. It’s not built-in Bluetooth; you add the tag if you need that functionality. On commercial sites and rental fleets, that’s a practical detail.

Ergonomics and build

At 26.9 in. long and about 20 lbs, this is a substantial tool. The rear handle and side handle let you square up to the work and apply steady pressure. The trigger is predictable, the mode selector has a positive detent, and the speed dial is accessible even with gloves. It’s a bit tall to maneuver in tight mechanical rooms, but not unwieldy once you’ve planned your stance and clearances.

Noise is what you’d expect from an SDS Max hammer—hearing protection is mandatory. Dust shrouds and vacuums help tame the mess and make the whole experience more manageable indoors.

Build quality feels premium: tight chuck tolerances, clean mode transitions, and a housing that shrugged off a couple of dusty drops. The brushless motor and sealed electronics should mean less maintenance over time compared to older brushed designs.

Where it shines—and where it doesn’t

Strengths:
- Real SDS Max performance without a cord, with 13.3 J impact energy and constant-speed control that holds under load.
- Manageable vibration and a clutch that protects the user in binds.
- Thoughtful features for jobsites: Wireless Tool Control for dust extractors, Tag Ready for inventory, and a flexible battery platform.
- The kit includes two high-capacity packs and a fast charger, minimizing downtime.

Limitations:
- Weight and size make overhead work tiring; this is best for horizontal and downward tasks.
- For the heaviest coring or daily 1-1/2 in.+ drilling in rebar-laden concrete, a higher-output SDS Max (corded or flagship cordless) will be faster.
- The overall kit is bulky to transport; plan your storage and staging accordingly.

Comparisons and context

Against comparable cordless SDS Max tools—think Bosch’s 18V ProFactor and Hilti’s TE 60 cordless—the DeWalt sits in the midrange for impact energy but holds its own in sustained drilling, especially with the 9Ah packs. Corded 1-9/16 in. to 2 in. class hammers still edge it out on continuous duty cycle and absolute blow energy, but the gap is small, and the convenience of cordless on sites without readily available power is a decisive advantage.

If you’re coming from a top-tier SDS Plus, this is a significant step up in speed and bit size capacity. If you already run a heavy corded SDS Max for primary demo, this makes a compelling secondary hammer for drilling, bushing, and mid-scale chipping—especially on scattered tasks where dragging cords and generators is inefficient.

Warranty, service, and longevity

A 3-year limited warranty backs the tool. The brushless motor and sealed design should translate to a long service life with basic care: keep the chuck clean, grease SDS Max shanks, use sharp bits, and pair it with a capable dust extractor for cleaner holes and less internal dust exposure.

The bottom line

This DeWalt SDS Max rotary hammer hits a sweet spot for concrete pros and trades who need true SDS Max capability without a cord. It drills #6–#9 rebar dowels efficiently, handles 3–4 in. dry cores with patience and proper dust extraction, and chips cleanly with good control. The vibration control and E-CLUTCH make long days safer and less fatiguing, while the FLEXVOLT batteries and fast charger keep the tool productive.

Recommendation: I recommend it for concrete contractors, MEP trades, utility installers, and remodelers who regularly drill and chip in hard concrete and value cordless mobility. If your work skews heavily to large-diameter coring or nonstop heavy demolition, a higher-output SDS Max (and possibly corded) tool will be faster. For everyone else needing serious concrete performance with cordless convenience, this strikes a very practical balance.