DeWalt 60V MAX 1-9/16 in. Brushless Cordless SDS Max Combination Rotary Hammer (Tool Only)

60V MAX 1-9/16 in. Brushless Cordless SDS Max Combination Rotary Hammer (Tool Only)

Features

  • Approximately 6.1 J impact energy for drilling and chipping
  • Brushless motor with engineered hammer mechanism
  • Anti-rotation E‑CLUTCH to stop rotation in bind‑up situations
  • Constant‑speed electronics to help maintain speed under load
  • Active vibration control at the handles to reduce transmitted vibration
  • Tag‑ready design for attaching a tool‑tracking tag (tag sold separately)
  • Includes 360° adjustable side handle

Specifications

Battery Capacity [Ah] 9
Battery Type Lithium Ion
Battery Voltage [V] 60
Impact Energy 6.1 J
Chuck Size (In) 1-9/16
Chuck Type SDS Max
No Load Speed (Rpm) 540
Power Source Battery
Motor Type Brushless
Vibration Control Yes (SHOCKS Active Vibration Control)
Product Weight (Lb) ~14
Product Length (In) 19.33
Product Height (In) 4.53
Product Width (In) 13.27
Used For Chipping Yes
Typical Applications Drilling #4–#8 rebar, installing 5/8–1 in. threaded rod, dry coring, chipping in mid/upper wall and ceiling applications

Battery-powered SDS Max combination rotary hammer with a brushless motor and engineered hammer mechanism. Provides approximately 6.1 J of impact energy for drilling and light chipping in concrete and masonry. Constant-speed electronics help maintain performance under load. Includes anti-rotation clutch and active vibration control for improved user control and comfort. Battery and charger sold separately.

Model Number: DCH481B
View Manual

DeWalt 60V MAX 1-9/16 in. Brushless Cordless SDS Max Combination Rotary Hammer (Tool Only) Review

4.8 out of 5

Why I reached for this 60V SDS‑Max

Hauling a corded SDS‑Max and a generator up to a mid‑wall coring job is a quick way to lose an afternoon. That’s exactly the kind of scenario where the DeWalt 60V SDS‑Max has earned a spot in my kit. It’s a 1‑9/16 in. class rotary hammer that trades sheer, brute force for cordless convenience, and after using it across anchor setting, dry coring, and some light chipping, I have a solid sense of where it shines—and where it doesn’t.

Build, balance, and ergonomics

At just over 14 lb bare tool, it’s not featherweight, but the balance is better than most in this class. The motor and gearbox sit forward, yet the battery helps counterweight the nose so the tool doesn’t want to tip down aggressively. I appreciated that when drilling overhead—fatigue is inevitable, but the active vibration control and decent balance kept it manageable.

The main grip is comfortable, and the included 360° side handle locks firmly with good detents. That handle matters for controlling this much mass, especially when starting holes on slick or glazed concrete. The depth rod is straightforward and stayed put. Fit and finish are what I expect at this price: tight housings, a robust mode selector, and a chuck that locks bits with a confident snap.

Power and impact performance

On paper, the hammer delivers about 6.1 joules of impact energy (roughly 4.5 ft‑lb). In use, it lands squarely in the “mid‑size SDS‑Max” tier. I drilled repeated 5/8 to 1 in. holes for threaded rod and heavy anchors without drama, and it stayed consistent in 3,000–5,000 PSI slab and structural concrete. The constant‑speed electronics help keep the bit chewing through aggregate instead of bogging, and the brushless motor doesn’t feel “peaky”—it’s predictable across the trigger.

Dry coring is where I noticed the limits and the merits at the same time. With small dry core bits, it’s very viable for penetrations through block or cured concrete where I’d rather not drag cords. It’s not a stand‑in for a big corded rotary hammer on larger cores or long runs, but for occasional holes and tight spaces, it gets it done cleanly.

For chipping, think light to medium tasks: knocking out fins and flash, trimming around boxes, removing small sections of tile and old adhesive, and cleaning up edges after a saw cut. You can move material with a 1‑1/2 in. chisel, but if demolition is the main event, a higher‑energy hammer will do it faster and with less heat buildup.

Control and safety

Two features stood out. The anti‑rotation E‑CLUTCH engaged instantly when I pinched a long bit in rubble during a side‑wall bore. The motor cut before the tool spun my wrist, and recovery was as simple as backing out and clearing the hole. That’s a non‑negotiable on a rotary hammer this size.

The SHOCKS active vibration control is genuinely effective at the handles. It doesn’t magically transform SDS‑Max into SDS‑Plus, but the difference at the end of an overhead session is noticeable. Paired with gloves, I had less tingling and fewer breaks to relax my grip compared to some older corded units.

The SDS‑Max interface

The chuck fit on my SDS‑Max bits was solid. There’s the slight inherent play you expect from this interface so the bit can float under hammering, but I didn’t see meaningful runout or wobble impacting hole quality. Bit changes are one‑hand friendly and debris didn’t foul the sleeve during a dusty day—helped by keeping caps on stored bits and blowing out the chuck periodically.

Modes, speed, and real‑world pace

With a no‑load speed of 540 RPM and a realistic working cadence, the tool finds a nice rhythm in 3/4 to 1 in. holes, even through mesh or occasional rebar hits. The hammer‑only mode offers good strike frequency for scaling and cleanup. Rotary‑only is there, though I rarely use it on an SDS‑Max; for drilling without hammer, I’d reach for a different tool.

What I valued most was consistency. In dense aggregate, where some cordless hammers can feel spiky—strong, then weak—the DeWalt held a steady beat. That consistency helps maintain cleaner holes for adhesive anchors and reduces the temptation to force the tool, which just heats bits and shortens runtime.

Battery life and charging strategy

This is a demanding tool, and it shows in battery consumption. On 9Ah packs, I plan work around the charger. For a day of 5/8 to 7/8 in. anchors or light chipping, two high‑capacity batteries kept me moving, three made the day smooth with no idle time. If you’re dry coring or drilling repeatedly at the upper end of its capacity, expect to rotate packs more frequently. A rapid charger is a practical must.

The upside is the freedom to set up quickly—especially for mid/upper wall and ceiling work or areas where routing power is cumbersome. If your jobs are short bursts of heavy drilling across a facility or multiple floors, that mobility saves real time.

Durability and serviceability

After weeks of site use, the tool hasn’t picked up the rattles and creaks some hammers do. The gearbox housing runs warm but not alarming, and the ventilation clears dust decently if you avoid blocking the intakes against your body. The tag‑ready design is a nice touch for tracking in a shared tool pool. Routine care—blowing out vents, greasing bit shanks, checking the side handle collar—has kept it running tight.

Where this hammer fits best

  • Anchors and through‑bolts in the 5/8 to 1 in. range
  • Drilling through #4–#8 rebar intersections where you need steady hammering
  • Small dry core penetrations without committing to a corded setup
  • Overhead or mid‑wall work where cords and hoses slow you down
  • Light to medium chipping, surface prep, and cleanup

Limitations and trade‑offs

  • Impact energy: At 6.1 J, it’s not a demolition monster. If you routinely swing 10–15 J hammers, you’ll notice the difference in removal rates and large‑bit speed.
  • Runtime: It drains big batteries quickly under sustained load. Budget for multiple 9Ah packs and a rapid charger.
  • Weight overhead: While balanced, 14 lb overhead still wears on you. Breaks and smart staging are part of the workflow.

Comparisons and context

Against corded 1‑9/16 in. SDS‑Max hammers, this DeWalt gives up some peak impact and unlimited runtime but wins in speed to setup, freedom of movement, and comfort in awkward spaces. Against larger cordless SDS‑Max options with double‑digit joule ratings, it’s lighter and more controllable but not as fast when you’re driving a 1‑1/4 in. bit all day. Compared to SDS‑Plus rotary hammers, it’s a clear step up in bit stability and hole quality for big anchors and in chisel authority for surface work.

Bottom line

The DeWalt 60V SDS‑Max is a capable, well‑mannered rotary hammer built for real‑world commercial and heavy residential tasks in that 5/8 to 1 in. sweet spot. It delivers consistent hammering, strong safety features, and meaningful vibration control, all in a cordless package that makes overhead and multi‑location work more efficient. It won’t replace a high‑energy corded or top‑tier cordless SDS‑Max for demolition or the largest bits, and it demands a healthy battery plan. But used within its lane, it’s a dependable, productivity‑boosting tool.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for tradespeople and contractors who value cordless mobility for medium‑diameter drilling, occasional dry coring, and light to medium chipping, and who can support it with two to three high‑capacity 60V batteries and a rapid charger. If your work leans heavily toward large‑diameter coring, continuous demolition, or all‑day chipping, step up to a higher‑energy SDS‑Max and keep this one for the jobs where cordless agility pays dividends.



Project Ideas

Business

Mobile Anchor & Fastening Service

On-demand drilling and installation of post-installed anchors and threaded rod (5/8–1 in.) for GCs, electricians, HVAC, and solar installers. The 60V cordless setup accelerates layout-to-hole time on high-rises and tight sites; E-CLUTCH and AVC improve safety and productivity.


Overhead Chipping & Light Demo Specialist

Niche service for ceiling and mid-wall chipping: removing spalled concrete, chasing channels, and trimming openings in occupied spaces. Battery power reduces trip hazards; vibration control cuts operator fatigue for longer shifts.


Dry-Coring Pass-Throughs for Trades

Clean, controlled dry coring for mini-split linesets, conduit, and low-voltage penetrations in CMU and concrete. Offer scanning/mark-out, core drilling, and firestopping as a turnkey package. Constant-speed electronics keep bit performance consistent in reinforced sections.


Retail/Signage Mounting Crew

After-hours drilling and anchoring for store fixtures, signage, and displays on tile, CMU, and slab. Rapid, cordless deployment minimizes downtime and noise; tag-ready tracking supports small-fleet management across multiple crews.


Balcony & Railing Retrofit Anchoring

Specialize in removing failed anchors and installing new stainless threaded rod and epoxied dowels for railings and safety barriers. SDS Max drilling speed in 5/8–1 in. ranges shortens site time; offer inspection reports and pull testing as upsells.

Creative

Carved Concrete Garden Totems

Dry-core cylinders from pavers or cast your own blanks, then use chipping mode with SDS Max chisels to carve geometric grooves, patterns, and recesses. Stack on rebar pins drilled with the hammer for a sculptural totem that doubles as a landscape focal point. The tool’s active vibration control helps during longer carving sessions.


Urbanite Mosaic Bench

Upcycle broken sidewalk slabs (urbanite) into a mosaic bench. Use the hammer to chip and texture edges for tight fits, and drill dowel holes to pin pieces to a cast base. The constant-speed electronics maintain pace while shaping harder aggregates.


Illuminated Concrete Core Lamps

Dry-core 2–3 in. concrete plugs from pavers or CMU, polish the faces, and drill a central pass-through for wiring. Stack multiple cored pieces with stand-offs to create a modern lamp; the anti-rotation clutch helps if a bit binds while boring.


Textured Acoustic Wall Art Panels

Create relief-textured concrete or fiber-cement panels by selectively chipping to form diffusive surfaces. Pre-drill keyhole hangers and anchor points directly into masonry walls. The cordless design makes overhead placement and testing layouts easier.


Modern House-Number Monolith

Cast a slim concrete stele and use chisels to recess bold numerals. Drill clean anchor holes for hidden standoffs and low-voltage conduit for backlighting. SDS Max precision and constant speed help achieve crisp recesses in harder mixes.