DeWalt 60V MAX 1-7/8 in Brushless Cordless SDS MAX Combination Rotary Hammer (Tool Only)

A corded-class SDS‑Max without the cord

The first time I pulled the trigger on the DCH733, the hammering signature felt familiar: a deep, deliberate blow that breaks aggregate instead of polishing it. The difference was everything around it—no generator hum, no tangled extension cord, just a 60V pack and a surprisingly quiet idle before the hammer got to work. This is very much a corded‑class SDS‑Max in day‑to‑day use, just in a cordless package.

What it is and who it’s for

This is a midweight 60V SDS‑Max combination rotary hammer built for concrete contractors, steel erectors, commercial remodelers, and facility teams who spend a lot of time on 3/4 in to 1‑3/4 in solid bit work and a healthy amount of chipping. With 13.3 Joules (9.8 ft‑lb) of impact energy and a no‑load speed up to 355 rpm (1,350–2,705 bpm), it lives in that “do‑most‑things” zone: rebar dowels (#6–#9), mechanical anchors, occasional beam pockets, and light‑to‑moderate demo. It’s not the biggest SDS‑Max in the drawer, but it pushes hard enough that I stopped thinking about the cord after the first few holes.

Build, balance, and ergonomics

At roughly 20 pounds and 23.5 inches long, the DCH733 is midweight on paper but still a commitment if you’re standing on a ladder or stretched out drilling horizontally. The layout is familiar DeWalt: a robust magnesium gearbox shell, a large D‑grip handle, and a 360° side handle that actually stays put when torqued down. The center of mass sits a touch forward of the trigger, which helps keep long bits aligned and reduces the tendency to lever the bit out of the hole.

The SHOCKS Active Vibration Control makes a tangible difference. It doesn’t turn SDS‑Max physics into SDS‑Plus comfort, but it takes the sting out of long runs. After a morning of 1‑1/4 in holes in cured slab, my hands felt less fatigued than they normally would with a similar‑class corded hammer. The trigger is progressive enough for careful starts, and the 7‑position speed dial gives you a real spread from delicate tile chipping to full‑tilt drilling.

Drilling performance

In its sweet spot (3/4 in to 1‑3/4 in solid bits), the DCH733 delivers steady, controllable progress. Constant‑speed electronics keep the rpm under load consistent; you notice this when the bit starts to encounter embedded rock or rebar shadow—rather than bogging, the percussion keeps biting and the motor feeds just enough to maintain feed rate. With a sharp 1 in four‑cutter, I was averaging 10–12 seconds for 6 in embed‑depth holes in 4,500 psi concrete, which is right in line with corded peers.

Rebar doweling with 1‑1/8 in and 1‑1/4 in bits is where the torque shows. Set the dial around the middle, lean on the side handle, and it drives clean, straight holes without glazing the sides. For adhesive anchor work, the consistent rpm helps maintain uniform hole diameter, which matters when you’re chasing both bond strength and reduced blowouts.

Chipping and controlled demo

Switching to hammer‑only mode is quick, and the mechanism has enough authority for removing tile, breaking out for small trench runs, and trimming slab edges. It won’t replace a 20‑plus‑joule breaker for slab demolition, but for the cleanup tasks that follow a saw cut, it’s agile and powerful. The tool’s mass helps the chisel stay seated; the anti‑vibration system means you can stay on it longer without white‑knuckle fatigue.

Dry coring is supported up to 5 in with the right accessories, though I treat that as an occasional task rather than a daily workload. For frequent coring, a dedicated rig or wet core drill is still the smarter choice. If you need to chase 2–3 in cores from time to time, the DCH733 will get it done without a generator, which is the whole point.

Controls, safety, and bit changes

DeWalt’s E‑CLUTCH anti‑rotation control is one of those features you don’t think about until you need it. I hit a mid‑depth bind drilling through a rough pour; the clutch tripped quickly and decisively, cutting power and saving my wrist. It resets instantly with a trigger cycle. The mode selector is positive and doesn’t walk under vibration, and the SDS‑Max chuck held bits tight without hot‑weather wobble. Bit changes are gloved‑hand friendly.

I also value that the tool is “Tag Ready” for asset tracking. Pop in a compatible Tool Connect tag and you can keep an eye on where it lives. On multi‑crew sites, that’s not fluff—it’s insurance.

Vibration, noise, and comfort

The reported 9 m/s² vibration number seems believable in use. Wearing gel‑padded gloves, I could maintain good control without death‑gripping the handles. Noise levels are typical SDS‑Max; hearing protection is non‑negotiable. The best compliment I can give here is that I wasn’t thinking about vibration while drilling—my focus stayed on hole quality and speed.

Runtime and batteries

Expectations matter with cordless SDS‑Max. Using a FlexVolt 9Ah pack (the DCB609), I averaged roughly 25–35 holes at 1 in x 6 in embed depth per charge in cured concrete. Heavy chipping drains faster; figure on a couple of hours of intermittent chipping or 30–45 minutes of continuous work per pack, depending on material and pressure. The takeaway: budget two high‑capacity packs and a fast charger for uninterrupted work. Battery and charger are sold separately, which is common in this class but worth planning for.

In cold weather (down near freezing), the tool still performed well, though I saw about a 15–20% hit on runtime—again, in line with expectations for high‑draw cordless tools.

Dust control and housekeeping

There’s no onboard dust collection, so plan on a universal SDS‑Max shroud and a HEPA extractor if you need to meet OSHA Table 1 for drilling. The weight and balance pair nicely with a hose; it doesn’t yank the nose off line, and the forward balance helps keep a shroud sealed. For adhesive anchors, the typical blow‑brush‑blow sequence is unremarkable with this tool, though an integrated auto‑cleaning suction setup would still be faster.

Durability, service, and maintenance

The brushless motor and German‑engineered hammer mechanism feel tight and refined. After a few weeks of site use—dust, the occasional drizzle, and transport in a gang box—there’s no play in the chuck and no odd noises. I keep the chuck clean and give the bit shanks a light wipe of SDS grease; the tool rewards the minimal maintenance. DeWalt backs it with a 3‑year limited warranty, a year of free service, and a 90‑day satisfaction guarantee, which matches what I expect in pro‑grade cordless.

Trade‑offs and comparisons

• Weight and size: At 20 pounds, it’s not the tool you want above shoulder height for long runs. For frequent overhead work, an SDS‑Plus or lighter SDS‑Max might be smarter.
• Cost of entry: High‑capacity 60V packs and a fast charger add meaningful cost if you’re not already on the platform.
• Peak power vs. the biggest corded units: Absolute monsters with 15‑amp cords still swing harder. If your day is mostly 2 in‑plus bits or constant heavy chipping, a larger SDS‑Max or a breaker remains the better fit.

Against those realities, the DCH733’s mobility is a major advantage. In tight mechanical rooms, on roofs, in finished spaces where pulling power is a pain, the ability to work without a cord changes the day. I didn’t feel like I was compromising on hole quality or speed in the sizes that most crews use most often.

Recommendation

I recommend the DCH733 for pros who routinely drill 3/4 in to 1‑3/4 in holes, set #6–#9 dowels, and handle light‑to‑moderate chipping—and who want corded performance without the cord. It hits its 13.3‑joule promise with controlled, consistent power; the anti‑rotation clutch and SHOCKS vibration control make it safer and less fatiguing to run; and the runtime on FlexVolt 9Ah packs is genuinely workable with two batteries and a fast charger. If your work is overhead all day or leans toward very large bits and heavy demolition, a lighter SDS‑Plus for above‑shoulder tasks and a larger corded SDS‑Max or breaker for the brute force jobs would complement it well. For everyone living in the middle of the chart, this 60V SDS‑Max is a dependable, efficient, and cord‑free way to get concrete work done.