Bosch 7 pc. Hex Shank Hammer Drill Masonry Bit Set

I reached for Bosch’s 7-piece hex‑shank masonry bit set to hang a French cleat on a stubborn concrete wall and to set anchors in brick and ceramic tile. Over a couple weekends I ran the set through the usual homeowner/renovator tasks—Tapcon pilots in cured slab, fasteners in block and brick, and a few holes through shower tile for a door track. The takeaway: these bits punch above their price, especially if you prefer driving holes with an impact driver, but there are a few limits to note.

What’s in the box and why it matters

The assortment hits the sizes most people actually use:
- 1/8 in. x 3 in. (1)
- 5/32 in. x 6 in. (2)
- 3/16 in. x 6 in. (2)
- 1/4 in. x 6 in. (1)
- 3/8 in. x 6 in. (1)

The duplicates in 5/32 and 3/16 are smart—those are common pilot sizes for concrete screws and the bits most likely to see the most holes. The hex shanks drop straight into an impact driver and also lock securely in a three‑jaw chuck, so you can swap between an impact driver and a hammer drill without adapters.

Setup and tools used

• Impact driver: 18V brushless, mid‑torque, set to speed 2 and speed 3
• Hammer drill: 18V brushless, hammer mode for concrete/brick; drill mode for tile
• Material: 25+ holes in 30‑year‑old poured concrete, 12 holes in brick/mortar, and 6 holes through standard ceramic wall tile into backer

I kept dust down with a vac nozzle at the hole and periodically backed the bit out to clear debris. No water cooling on concrete/brick; a small spritz on tile to keep the glaze cool and reduce skating.

Speed and hole quality

In cured concrete with the hammer drill engaged, these bits cut quickly and consistently. The asymmetric diamond‑ground carbide tip grabs without much wandering, and the edges stayed lively even after a dozen holes. Compared with generic hardware‑store masonry bits, I averaged noticeably faster hole times—roughly 10–15 seconds saved on 3/16 in. pilots in older concrete. That adds up when you’re setting a line of fasteners.

With the impact driver, progress was slower (as expected), but still entirely workable. The impact‑rated hex shanks transmit torque without the shank twisting or the chuck slipping, and the bits didn’t chatter themselves dull like some non‑impact-rated masonry bits do in impact drivers. If an impact driver is your only drill, these are a practical solution; if you have a hammer drill, that will always be the faster option for concrete.

Hole roundness and cleanliness were solid. Anchors seated with predictable resistance, and Tapcons bit reliably with the recommended pilot sizes. In brick and mortar, the bits tracked straight and resisted grabbing on aggregate pockets. On ceramic tile, starting in drill mode with light pressure and a piece of painter’s tape produced clean entries; once through the glaze, the bit handled the substrate without fuss.

Durability and the 4x life claim

Bosch claims up to four times the life of standard masonry bits. I can’t quantify that ratio precisely, but after:
- ~20 holes in hardened concrete (mostly 3/16 in.),
- another dozen in brick/mortar,
- and several in tile/backer,

the cutting edges on my most-used 5/32 and 3/16 bits showed minimal rounding. They still started cleanly and didn’t glaze over. The 1/4 and 3/8 remained sharp as well. I avoided rebar and nails; if you do hit steel, expect any carbide masonry bit to complain—these aren’t meant to drill metal, so move the hole rather than forcing it.

Heat control mattered. Backing the bit out to clear dust and letting it spin down between holes noticeably reduced squeal and kept performance consistent. Pushing hard to “force” a hole only makes masonry bits dull faster.

Compatibility and ergonomics

The hex shanks are the standout convenience feature:
- Zero slippage in an impact collet.
- Positive grip in a three‑jaw chuck, even when dusty.
- Fast swaps without fiddling.

If you run an SDS‑Plus rotary hammer for big anchoring jobs, note that this set is not SDS‑shank. You can chuck them in an SDS drill only if you have a keyed three‑jaw chuck adapter. For frequent 1/2 in. or larger holes in structural concrete, SDS‑Plus bits on a rotary hammer will be faster and easier on your arms.

Length is practical at 6 inches for most anchors; the 1/8 in. at 3 inches is understandably shorter and should be treated gently. If you often need extra reach or deep embedments, you’ll want longer bits than what’s here.

Where the set shines

• Impact-driver friendly: If your default tool is an impact driver, this set is built for that. The tips don’t pulverize themselves under impact the way standard masonry bits often do.
• Anchor-ready sizing: Having two 5/32 and two 3/16 bits means fewer interruptions when you’re drilling a line of pilots for 3/16 and 1/4 concrete screws.
• Starts clean, tracks straight: The tip geometry resists skating on rough block and cured concrete. With basic care and correct speed, blowouts at the hole edge were rare.
• Value: Buying the set makes more sense than picking one or two singles, and you get the sizes most people actually use.

Where it falls short

• Upper size limit: The biggest bit here is 3/8 in. If you routinely install sleeve anchors or wedge anchors that require 1/2 in. holes, you’ll need additional bits (or an SDS setup).
• No 5/16 in. bit: That size occasionally pops up for certain plastic or lead anchors; it’s not here.
• Not a tile specialist: The bits handle ceramic tile with proper technique, but for lots of delicate tile work—especially porcelain—a dedicated spear‑point tile bit or a diamond core will be cleaner and safer.

Techniques that made a difference

• Concrete and brick: Use a hammer drill if you have one. Let the bit do the work; peck the hole—advance, back out to clear dust, repeat. Vacuum at the hole for faster cutting and less heat.
• Impact driver drilling: Run medium speed to start, then step up. Too much pressure can stall progress; let the impacts chip the aggregate.
• Tile: Hammer off until you’re through the glaze. Tape the start point, go slow, and only engage hammer or higher speed once you’re into the substrate (if needed).
• Avoid steel: If the bit rings and progress stops, you may be on rebar. Relocate the hole rather than sacrificing the carbide tip.

Longevity and value call

After a couple dozen holes in tough materials, the set still cut briskly and produced consistent holes. The edges didn’t burnish smooth, and the shanks never slipped or twisted. Given the assortment and the impact-driver compatibility, it’s an easy set to keep in the drill bag for jobs that don’t warrant hauling an SDS rotary hammer. For routine concrete screws, light framing to masonry, tap-in anchors, and bracket installs, it’s a dependable performer.

The bottom line

I recommend this Bosch 7‑piece masonry bit set for DIYers and pros who:
- Rely on an impact driver but want proper masonry bits that can take the hits.
- Need the common anchor sizes in a compact kit.
- Want a noticeable step up in cutting speed and edge life over generic masonry bits.

I would not make it my only solution for heavy structural anchoring or frequent 1/2 in.+ holes in hard, rebar‑laced concrete—an SDS‑Plus setup is still king there. But for everyday masonry tasks, the set strikes a very good balance of speed, durability, and convenience at a sensible price. That combination is what earns it a spot in my kit.